Ferdinand Brda Ribolla Gialla Rebula Epoca Primorska Solvenia 2021 $12.00/ $24.99
Château Burgozone Via Istrum Cellar Selection Marselan Danubian Plain Bulgaria 2020 $10.00 / $18.99
Dievole Le Due Arbie Chianti Superior Italy 2019 $10.00/ $21.99
Azienda Agricola 499 Freisa Langhe Italy 2022 $12.00 / $27.99
100% Ribola
Region: Ferdinand wines are born in the Brdi – this unique terroir, nestled between the Adriatic, the Alps and Friuli, where the rolling hills are warmed by the Mediterranean sun during the day and caressed by the Alpine cool in the evening. Vineyards sit between 150 and 300 m above sea level which enhanses the high change between night and day tempatures ensuring fresh acidity. The envionment is airy. Winds from the mountians not only cool, but help to dry the vineyard from the rains, reducing disease pressures. The landsacape does not allow for much mechanical work, thus much is done by hand.
About the Producer:
Today, the style of the Ferdinand wine house is designed by Matjaž Četrtič, an agronomist who already felt in his childhood that he wanted to become a winemaker. With this, he revived the family tradition, as the family of Matjaž's great-grandfather Ferdinand was already very successful in winemaking.
In 1992, Matjaž, as a student at the secondary agricultural school, began cultivating his great-grandfather's largest vineyard. His vision was to build a cellar that would produce top-quality Briška wines, especially from the indigenous variety here - Rebula. His father, Marjan, trusted his son from the very beginning, providing him with all moral and financial support, and later fully devoted himself to viticulture. The first bottles of wine came on the market in 1997.
In parallel with his work in the vineyard, Matjaž also studied, as after finishing high school of agriculture, he continued his studies at the Faculty of Biotechnology in Ljubljana and graduated in 1996 in agronomy. Optimum load cv: ribule. He then studied wine management in Trieste and became a Master of wine business in 2007.
It was in Trieste that the successful collaboration of two young winemakers and fellow students from both sides of the Brda began. Matjaž Četrtič and Robert Prinčič started the joint Sinefinis project. The topic that was most close to Matjaž's heart during his studies was the ribula and its development potential for Brdo.
Jasmina Četrtič has always felt an affinity for tourism and marketing, which is why, after completing her studies in economics in Ljubljana, she obtained a master's degree at the prestigious Bocconi University in Milan. Now her focus is on the development of the Ferdinand and Sinefinis brands and their domestic and international marketing. A lot of attention is paid to creating unforgettable experiences for the guests of the Ferdinand estate.
Château Burgozone Via Istrum Cellar Selection Marselan Danubian Plain Bulgaria 2020
100% Marselan - Daugher grape of the crossing of Grenache and Cabernert Sauvignon
Region: PGI Protect Geographic Indication Danube Plain. Located at the same latitude as Tuscany growing on the slopes of 150 to 180M along the Danube River. Enjoys moderate continental climate with hot days and cool night as well as benefiting from the qualities of being so close to the river.
About the Producer: Burgozone is a boutique family wine producer in Bulgaria. Perched on the slopes of the Danube River, close to the Bulgaria-Romania ferry of Oryahovo and overlooking the island of Esperanto, Burgozone is named after the Roman fortress built on the ancient Roman road Via Istrum.
Throughout the centuries, the area has been regarded as a major winemaking region. Burgozone has selected a unique terrain of 100 hectares located on the Danube River and 43rd parallel N (as Tuscany and Southern Rhône) which has proven to produce the highest quality of grapes.
Via Istrum is a brand crafted by Chateau Burgozone. Within the territory of the vineyard there were the remains from the ancient Roman Fortress of Burgozone. The wines and wine complex have been named after it. A lot of parts from ceramic objects, dug out during the planting and growing of the wines can be seen at the local Museum of history.
The fortress has been situated on the ancient Roman road Via Istrum, which has connected Constantinople with Belgrade and has defended the Northern borders of the Roman Empire. Material proofs found here such as remains from jars and other ceramic pottery, connected with wine growing and wine making, date back to that particular period. This ancient tradition has had thousands of years of history here and together with active commerce along the river it has become the basis for the wealth and prosperity of the town of Oryahovo in the past.
In 2002 they started the project for reviving of the traditional for this area wine making, which has been suspended during the prohibition in the 80s in the Soviet Union, imposed by Gorbachov. For this purpose, a unique terroir of 150 hectors (1 hector =2.5 acres) has been selected at the southern bank of the Danube River, close to the port of Oryahovo over Esperanto Island. Over the centuries it has given the best grape in the region. Apart from its own single vineyard, the complex includes a boutique cellar with the most modern equipment.
The first results are more than encouraging – Chateau Burgozone Chardonnay, produced here, made history by winning in 2010 the first for Bulgaria Great Gold Medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
100% Freisa -DNA connection to Nebbiolo
Region: Piedmonte is the larger region-moderate continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Italian Alps protect from cold northern winds and the Apennines protect from excessive rain from the Mediterranean. Late frost may be a threat. Low rain in June to September allows grapes to ripen and reduces the that of fungal disease. Rainfall increases from September to October. Langhe is the hilly subregion of Piedmonte to the east of the Tanaro River and South of Alba in the Cuneo Province of Piedmont. Within Langhe are the subregions of Barolo, Barbesco, Asti, and Dogliani.
About the Producer: Azienda (agricultural) Agricola (estate farm) 499 (elevation of the vineyard above sea level) is located on the picturesque cliffs of Camo, at the top of the Langhe, this family run estate has 14 acres dedicated to Moscato and Freisa. The 499 meter altitude allows the grapes to ripen slowly maintaining lower alcohol levels, preserved natural acidity and nearly electric vibrancy. With minimal intervention in growing and vinification, these wines are in a class all their own.
Dievole Le Due Arbie Chianti Superior Italy 201980% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot
Region: The climate of Chianti, particularly in the subzone where Chianti Superiore is produced, is ideal for growing high-quality wine grapes. This region experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, which contribute to balanced ripening of the grapes. The rolling hills and varying elevations of the area provide a range of microclimates, allowing for optimal sun exposure and temperature regulation. During the growing season, the significant diurnal temperature variation—warm days followed by cooler nights—enhances the development of complex aromas and flavors in the grapes while preserving acidity. Rainfall is typically moderate, concentrated mainly in the spring and autumn, ensuring that vines are not water-stressed during the crucial ripening period. Combined with the well-drained, rocky soils rich in limestone and clay, the climate of Chianti Superiore fosters the production of structured, elegant wines with vibrant acidity and pronounced fruit character.
About the Producer: Dievole, part of the Alejandro Bulgheroni Family vineyards network, consists of 16 connecting plots scattered throughout Tuscany’s prominent wine regions, including Chianti Classico, Montalcino, and Bolgheri. Many of these vineyards are concentrated near the village of Vagliagli, located north of Siena, at a higher inland elevation. While some of these plots could technically qualify for Chianti Classico, they might be used in blends that don't adhere to the region's strict regulations. The name "Dievole" translates to "God willing," a fitting moniker for a winery established on May 10th, 1090, as a contracted agreement. This historic contract involved a symbolic wage of three loaves of bread and six silver Lucca Denaria in exchange for a promise to cultivate what would become a divine vineyard.
