THE VINEYARDS:

Brancaia in Chianti Classico, encompassing the two estates Brancaia and Poppi, has been owned by the Swiss couple Brigitte and Bruno Widmer since 1981. Barbara and Martin Kronenberg-Widmer run the winery together which is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico area in Italy. The estate had a vertical take-off when it’s vintage 1983 won first place at a major Chianti Classico tasting. Since then, through uncompromising dedication to quality and a strong own identity, the continuous recognition of BRANCAIA was built up – spearheaded by the estates top-wine Brancaia IL BLU, being already a classic for many wine lovers all over the world.

Martin Kronenberg is responsible for the management of the company and the worldwide distribution. Barbara Kronenberg-Widmer, as a learned winemaker, takes care of the production. They enjoy consulting support by the brilliant winemaker Dr. Carlo Ferrini. La Brancaia is one of Tuscany’s top wine-growing estates, winning national and international awards every year. Its wines are sold – and bought – all over the world.

WINE MAKER : Barbara Kronenberg-Widmer
REGION : Chianti Classico, Italy
V A R I E T A L : 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
A N A L Y S I S : 13.5% alc/vol
HARVEST : August – September 2006

WINE MAKING:

The vineyards have hillside locations, looking south to southwest, their altitude is between 250 and 575 ft. They are partially covered with greenery and worked according to integrated production standards. Of the roughly 100 acres which are planted, 45% are Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 15% Cabernet Franc and Merlot. In the autumn of 2000 the first harvest was brought in. There are 2400 vines to the acre. All are cultivated in the one-armed cordon system.

WINE MAKER NOTES:

Brancaia Tre signifies the three grape varieties that comprise this blend—Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes are carefully selected from three estates— Brancaia (Castellina), Poppi (Radda)and our estate in Maremma (Morellino di Scansano) — which yield an elegant and well structured wine ready for immediate enjoyment.

TASTING NOTES:

Great to pair with pasta, roast or boiled white meat, poultry, roast or grilled fish. Offers very pretty aromas of chocolate, berry and flowers. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean finish. Bright and fruity.

THE VINEYARDS:

The Salento peninsula is part of Italy’s Puglia peninsula (the heel of the boot). Prima Mano Primitivo comes from two ancient vineyards grown in the red sand on the coast of the Ionian Sea. These two vineyards always produce our most intense Primitivo. The yields are very low and the red sand reflects sunlight onto the fruit for early ripening.

Entirely hand-crafted from old vines of the indigenous Primitivo variety (Zinfandel's granddaddy), these fruit-packed, food-friendly red IGTs express the region's quality potential, and the reasons for co-owner/California winemaker Mark Shannon's Apulian connection.

OWNER : Mark Shannon, Elvezia Sbalchiero
WINE MAKER : Mark Shannon
REGION : Castellaneta, Province of Taranto, Italy
V A R I E T A L : 100% Primitivo (aka Zinfandel)
A N A L Y S I S : 14.5% alc/vol | 3.55 pH | 6.0 g/L TA
HARVEST : September 2006

WINE MAKING:

The grapes were crushed and put into a jacketed stainless steel fermenter. Since the grapes have evolved very reliable natural yeast fermentation starts within hours. The must is allowed to ferment without temperature control for the first 48 hours with pump-over every two hours around the clock. Temperatures reach 85-90°F which gives the intense color and because alcohol is very low at the beginning of fermentation the tannins extracted are very soft and fine. Once the color and tannin structure is correct we turned the temperature down to 60°F and allow the wine to finish fermenting for two weeks. It was aged in French oak, Chestnut and Cherry barrels.

WINE MAKER NOTES:

Apulia (or Puglia, as it is known in Italian) is so easy to fall in love with. Old, head-trained vineyards, a history of grape-growing in harmony with nature. Everything necessary for top-quality wines. I was compelled to stay. I have not seen another region of the world where the quality potential is so high. After so many years of technical winemaking, I had almost forgotten that the right way to make wine is with love. In fact, Puglia reminded me this is the way to do everything. True enough, A-Mano means hand-made.

TASTING NOTES:

This wine is a powerhouse! The intensity of raspberry, plum and briary flavors is immense. The deep dark color and abundant yet soft tannins give the wine great complexity and intrigue. We have aged all our previous vintages in the cellar and are continually astonished at how well they live.

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