From the vineyards of Sicily to the rolling hills of Tuscany and beyond, this year’s selection celebrates Italian wine families whose stories are deeply rooted in the land.
Our Top Picks were chosen not for prestige alone, but for values that define Live in Italy Magazine: sustainability, estate-grown grapes, experiential hospitality, and the perseverance of families who view wine as both heritage and art.
Each bottle reflects passion, place, and patience — vineyards farmed by hand, wineries powered by care and innovation. Together, they capture Italy’s enduring devotion to the craft of wine.
Continue your journey in Part II – From Emilia to Sicily →
La Farra – Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG 2024 Collection
Region & Heritage
Set amid the UNESCO-protected Conegliano Valdobbiadene hills, La Farra represents the legacy of three siblings—Adamaria, Innocente, and Guido Nardi—who founded the estate in 1997 to carry forward their family’s generations-long bond with these steep, heroic vineyards. Rooted in the ancient settlement of Farra di Soligo, their work honors both tradition and innovation, producing elegant sparkling wines that capture the beauty and complexity of this landscape.
Sustainability Commitment
La Farra cultivates 25 hectares across the heart of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG zone with deep respect for nature. The estate holds SQNPI certification for integrated pest management and follows the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Viticultural Protocol, prohibiting herbicides and encouraging biodiversity. All grapes are hand-harvested on steep slopes, maintaining the ecological balance of this distinctive UNESCO heritage terrain.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
- Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut: Crisp and refined, with notes of green apple, white peach, and acacia blossom. Balanced acidity and fine perlage create a bright, refreshing finish.
- Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut: A drier, more mineral expression with citrus zest and alpine herbs. The palate shows tension and purity, ideal for contemporary tastes.
- Rive di Farra di Soligo Extra Brut Millesimato: Crafted from hand-selected Glera grown on the steep “Rive” slopes, this vintage wine delivers complexity and precision—pear, apple skin, and saline minerality in perfect harmony.
Visitor Experience
The Nardi family welcomes visitors to explore the Belvedere La Farra, a restored hillside farmstead offering panoramic views, guided tastings, and cultural itineraries through the Prosecco hills. Guests can walk historic vineyard paths, discover the region’s literary heritage, and experience firsthand the “heroic” viticulture that defines Valdobbiadene.
Learn more: lafarra.it | @lafarra_winery
Suggested Pairing: Venetian-style seafood risotto or fresh goat cheese with lemon and herbs.
Vecchie Terre di Montefili – Chianti Classico DOCG 2021 | Gran Selezione 2019 | Anfiteatro 2019
Region & Heritage
Situated between Greve in Chianti and Panzano, Vecchie Terre di Montefili occupies a unique position within the Chianti Classico zone. Founded in 1975 and revitalized in 2015 by Nicola Marzovilla, Frank Bynum, and Tom Peck Jr., the estate has become a model of contemporary Tuscan winemaking rooted in authenticity. Under winemaker Serena Gusmeri, Montefili enhances Sangiovese’s expressive range through precision farming and small-lot vinification.
Sustainability Commitment
A member of the Panzano Bio-District since 1995, Montefili practices certified organic agriculture and participates in soil-biodiversity research with Vitenova. The estate earned the Diversity Ark certification in 2023 for verified soil health and biodiversity. Herbicides and synthetic pesticides are prohibited, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding ecosystem.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
- Chianti Classico DOCG 2021: Freshness and fine tannins with notes of redcurrant, ripe blueberry, and clove.
- Gran Selezione 2019: Elegant and structured with black cherry, spice, and sweet tobacco, supported by silky tannins.
- Anfiteatro 2019 IGT Toscana: A powerful, mineral expression of Sangiovese showing ripe red fruit, pepper, and refined tannins.
Visitor Experience
Montefili offers guided tastings and estate tours, including a panoramic terrace overlooking the vineyards and a historic cellar for library vintages. Tastings are available year-round by appointment.
Learn more: montefiliwines.com | @montefili
Suggested Pairing: Tagliatelle with wild boar ragù or aged pecorino from Panzano.
Tenuta Calimaia – Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2020
Region & Heritage
Between the Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano continues to define Tuscan elegance. Locally known as Prugnolo Gentile, Sangiovese finds a refined voice here—aromatic, balanced, and expressive of its ancient clay and limestone soils. Marchesi Frescobaldi, one of Tuscany’s most historic wine families, returned to Montepulciano in 2021 with the 70-hectare Tenuta Calimaia. The family’s link to the area dates to the 14th century, when an ancestor served as mayor of Montepulciano.
Sustainability Commitment
Like all Frescobaldi estates, Tenuta Calimaia operates under Integrated Production and Sustainable Agriculture, holding AgriQualità certification from the Region of Tuscany since 2012. Practices safeguard soil health and biodiversity through precision viticulture and reduced intervention.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
The 2020 vintage reveals layers of cherry, pink pepper, sage, and dark chocolate. Silky tannins and vibrant acidity frame a palate of depth and poise. While structured for aging, it remains fresh and accessible—ideal slightly chilled or paired with rich Tuscan dishes.
Visitor Experience
Private visits are limited, but wine lovers can explore virtually through Frescobaldi’s 360° Augmented Reality Experience and the QR code on each bottle—connecting the wine in the glass to its origin.
Learn more: frescobaldi.com/en/estates/tenuta-calimaia | @marchesifrescobaldi
Suggested Pairing: Tuscan ribollita or pici pasta with porcini and black truffle.
Tenuta Luce – Luce della Vite 2022 Toscana IGT (30ª Vendemmia)
Region & Heritage
Born in Montalcino, Tenuta Luce was founded in the 1990s by Marchesi Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi to unite Tuscan tradition with New World vision. The flagship Luce della Vite symbolizes this harmony—a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot capturing Montalcino’s heritage and modernity.
Sustainability Commitment
Within the UNESCO-protected Val d’Orcia, Tenuta Luce practices low-impact, energy-efficient viticulture to safeguard biodiversity and ensure long-term stewardship of the land.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
Ruby red with luminous reflections, Luce 2022 reveals pomegranate, currant, floral notes, and spice. On the palate, supple tannins and freshness carry through a long, savory finish.
Visitor Experience
Private, reservation-only tastings explore the estate’s philosophy through guided vineyard walks and optional Tuscan lunches—personalized to reflect Luce’s authentic hospitality.
Learn more: tenutaluce.com | Instagram @tenutaluce
Suggested Pairing: Braised short ribs with rosemary polenta or handmade pici with duck ragù.
Terra di Seta – Chianti Classico 2022 | Gran Selezione 2018
Region & Heritage
Just outside Siena, Terra di Seta (“Land of Silk”) is a family-run organic winery owned by Daniele and Maria Pellegrini. The only fully kosher-certified winery in Tuscany—and among the few in Europe—it combines Jewish winemaking tradition with Tuscan terroir.
Sustainability Commitment
Certified organic since inception, Terra di Seta employs manual vineyard work, natural pest control, and eco-friendly practices. Kosher production standards ensure ethical transparency and ecological care.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
- Pellegrini della Seta Viti Colori Chianti Classico 2022: Fresh cherry, plum, and violet; soft tannins and lively acidity.
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018: Aged 18 months in oak, deep ruby color, ripe berries, spice, and floral tones with refined texture.
Visitor Experience
Private kosher-certified tastings, vineyard tours, and seasonal culinary events reveal Tuscany’s warmth and hospitality through Jewish heritage.
Learn more: terradiseta.com | @terradiseta
Suggested Pairing: Bistecca alla Fiorentina or roasted lamb with rosemary and thyme.
Fattoria della Talosa – Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2021
Region & Heritage
At the heart of Montepulciano stands Fattoria della Talosa, founded in 1972 by the Jacorossi family. Its vineyards (330–400 m altitude) cover 33 hectares of tuff and clay-rich soils, where Sangiovese reaches elegant expression. Beneath Piazza Grande lies the 16th-century Talosa Historic Cellar—arched vaults that age wines in oak, linking Renaissance craft and Tuscan viticulture.
Sustainability Commitment
Now under Valori Italia organic certification, Talosa uses cover crops and minimal intervention to preserve biodiversity. Precision tools and solar energy support an Equalitas-aligned model of environmental and ethical responsibility.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2021 is Talosa’s premium wine—aged three years in tonneaux and large casks. It offers depth and longevity, with black cherry, tobacco, and balsamic herbs balanced by polished tannins.
Visitor Experience
Beneath Montepulciano’s Piazza Grande, the Historic Cellar welcomes visitors for guided tastings surrounded by centuries of history. At Villa Talosa, guests can stay among vineyards and enjoy pairings of wine with Pecorino di Pienza and Tuscan charcuterie.
Learn more: talosa.it | Instagram @fattoriatalosa
Suggested Pairing: Pici al ragù di cinta senese or aged pecorino with truffle honey.
Continue to Italian Wine Guide 2025, Part II – From Emilia to Sicily →
