Tonello io Cleo 2023
Origin: Italy
Retail:$26.95| Sale: $24.26
Everything begins with grandfather Giuseppe Tonello, born in Sovizzo in 1928 and then moved to the town of Montorso Vicentino for the love of grandmother Adele. He begins to manage the existing farm, where great-grandfather Giovanni was already producing wine since the 1930s.
Diletta Tonello has recently started her own micro wine project at her family’s winery, originally founded in 1980. She owns 12 hectares of vines in the prime subzone for Durella, the Montorso Vicentino area nestled between Verona and Vicenza. The soil in this appellation is volcanic clay which adds a salinity and minerality to the wines. The vineyards were mostly planted in 1989 and are grown on traditional pergola veronese and are hand-harvested. Diletta focuses on indigenous grapes, namely Durella and Garganega. This wine is 100% Durella aged in cement for one year followed by an additional year in the cellar. The wines are each named after women from Greek mythology. Chloe is another name for Demeter, the goddess of the harvest.
Girolamo Russo Etna Rosato 2025
Origin: Italy
Retail: $36.95| Sale:$33.26
Set on the north slope of Mt. Etna, at an altitude of 650-780 metres above sea-level, the winery’s vineyards cover 18 hectares, surrounded by hazelnut and olive groves. Etna is one of the hottest places in the wine world currently and Giuseppe Russo is one of the top 3 producers. Giuseppe and his staff farm the estate organically, employing the traditional methods which have permitted these ancient vineyards to survive for well over a century. The grapes for this Rosado are grown in Contrada San Lorenzo, a selection from the old vines planted lower down the mountain (Contrada is a term distinct to Sicily describing a “cru,” essentially).
Tonello io Flora 2024
Origin: Italy
Retail: $26.95| Sale: $24.26
This Rosato of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon saw 12 hours of skin contact and did 11 months of aging in cement tanks after spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts. Flora is a Roman goddess of flowers and spring. Her association with spring gave her particular importance at the coming of springtime, as did her role as goddess of youth. This wine is vibrant, fun, and does particularly well with sushi.
Girolamo Russo Etna Rosso 2024
Origin: Italy
Retail: $39.95| Sale:$35.96
Beppe's "A 'Rina" (meaning "sand" in the local dialect, a nod to its sandy volcanic soils) is a “multi-contrada” (or multi-district) wine crafted from three distinct parts of his estate. It is made with 94% Nerello Mascalese and 6% Nerello Cappuccio, which contributes color and amplifies the fruit. The wine then ages for 12 months in Slavonian oak. Berry, sage and bright fruit highlight the glass- think sweet and savory. This wine is great on its own, but we particularly love it with tomato-based pastas or braised meats.