REGION: Veneto

Founded in 1947, Bortolotti prosecco is one of the few proseccos on the market that is harvested by hand and not industrially produced. The quality of this rare, artisanal prosecco is maintained by a carefully selected group of viticulturists within the Valdobbiadene who practice organic methods.

Luciano Piona was the first to plant vineyards around Lake Garda after WWII and later the family single-handedly created the Custoza appellation in the 1970s. Today, brothers Franco and Luciano are at the helm, producing fresh, pure expressions of Bianca di Custoza, Bardolino and Chiaretto Rosé.

Brothers Sandro and Claudio organically farm 35 ha. in Monteforte in the heart of Soave Classico. 80-100-year-old Garganega vines, some prephyloxera in the famed La Frosca vineyard, produce wines that are not only among the greatest Soaves but also among the great white wines of Italy.

Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta and Contratto filled a void by founding his own US importer for the wines his dear friends Malvira, E Pira-Chiara Boschis and Ciacci Piccolomini. His Indigenous label wines are the expressions of these friendships.

Roberto Mazzi founded his estate in Negrar, one of the five towns in the classic Valpolicella zone. Today run by Roberto’s sons Stefano and Antonio, they strive for pure fruit, elegance and restraint in their wines rather than the highly extracted, massive style often found in wines of this region.