From Emilia’s sparkling Lambrusco to the sunlit vineyards of Sicily, Part II of our Italian Wine Guide 2025 explores Italian wines for the holiday table. These selections celebrate families who blend innovation with heritage, sustainability with style. Whether you’re planning festive gatherings or dreaming of vineyard travel, each bottle tells a story of passion, perseverance, and Italy’s enduring connection to its land.
Missed Part I? Read Into the Vineyard – From the Alps to Tuscany →
Ventiventi – Lambrusco & Metodo Classico Wines
Region & Heritage
In the countryside north of Modena, Ventiventi represents a new chapter in Emilia-Romagna’s winemaking tradition. Founded by the Razzaboni family—Vittorio and his sons Riccardo, Andrea, and Tommaso—the estate was born from a shared vision: to elevate native Lambrusco through precision and respect for the land. The name Ventiventi (“twenty twenty”) marks the year the winery was officially launched, symbolizing a turning point where technology meets Emilian authenticity.
Sustainability Commitment
Since planting its first vineyard in 2016, Ventiventi has followed certified organic principles focused on renewable energy and biodiversity. The family’s 70-hectare property operates on solar power, uses precision irrigation, and belongs to FIVI—the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers—underscoring its integrity and traceability from vine to glass.
Metodo Classico Craftsmanship
Metodo Classico defines the estate’s identity. Secondary fermentation in bottle and long lees aging create sparkling wines of fine texture and depth—techniques rarely applied to Lambrusco yet central to Ventiventi’s mission to redefine Emilia’s style.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
- Ventiventi Rosé Metodo Classico: 100 % Lambrusco di Sorbara; lively, precise, with red currant, rose, and citrus.
- Rouge de Noirs: 100 % Lambrusco Salamino; dry, complex, with cherry and wild berry notes.
- La Vie Lambrusco di Modena DOC (Charmat): bright raspberry and floral tones, joyful and approachable.
Visitor Experience
Hospitality is at Ventiventi’s core. Guests can tour organic vineyards, witness Metodo Classico production, and enjoy immersive tastings with the Razzaboni family—an experience uniting innovation and heartfelt Emilian warmth.
Learn more: ventiventi.it | @ventiventiwinery
Suggested Pairing: Emilia-style tortellini in brodo or aged Parmigiano Reggiano with balsamic glaze.
Varvaglione 1921 – Papale Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria DOP 2020
Region & Heritage
In Manduria, Puglia, the Varvaglione family has crafted wine for four generations. Founded in 1921 and today led by Marzia and Cosimo Varvaglione, the estate merges regional roots with innovation. Marzia’s leadership as CEEV President brings Puglia’s native grapes to international acclaim.
Sustainability Commitment
Across 150 hectares of mostly old-vine Primitivo, Varvaglione 1921 practices sustainable farming using integrated pest management, cover crops, and minimal chemical input. The family’s philosophy connects environmental care with social responsibility.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
The Papale Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria DOP 2020 bursts with ripe plum, dark cherry, vanilla, and spice. Deep, velvety, and layered, it mirrors the warmth of Puglia’s red earth and Mediterranean sun.
Visitor Experience
At the Leporano estate, visitors can book guided tastings, cellar tours, and food-and-wine pairings showcasing the region’s culinary heritage.
Learn more: varvaglione.com | @varvaglione1921
Suggested Pairing: Slow-braised lamb shank with roasted tomatoes or orecchiette with beef ragù.
Alessandro di Camporeale – Grillo Mandranova Sicilia DOC 2024
Region & Family Heritage
Nestled in the hills of Camporeale near Palermo, Alessandro di Camporeale is a fourth-generation family estate now led by cousins Anna and Benedetto. Their work unites traditional craftsmanship with innovation, earning the estate recognition among western Sicily’s finest.
Sustainability Commitment
The family farms organically, hand-tending every vine. Their long-term sustainability vision aligns with SOStain Sicilia and the European Green Deal to ensure thriving ecosystems for future generations.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
Grillo Mandranova Sicilia DOC 2024 offers citrus, tropical fruit, and white-flower aromas leading to a mineral-driven palate with bright, saline finish—fresh and food-friendly.
Visitor Experience
Guests are welcomed to a modern winery with guided tastings and cellar tours integrated into local cultural itineraries—combining wine discovery with Sicily’s heritage.
Learn more: alessandrodicamporeale.it | @adicamporeale
Suggested Pairing: Butternut-squash cream pizza from Napoli on the Road (by Michele Pascarella).
Plozza – Inferno Riserva 2016 (Valtellina)
As Live in Italy Magazine contributor Sara Bauer shared during her press tour of Valtellina, this alpine valley in Lombardy reveals a distinct face of Nebbiolo—locally known as Chiavennasca. Steep, sunlit terraces carved into the Rhaetian Alps yield wines with freshness, fine tannins, and mountain minerality.
Founded in 1919, Plozza blends century-old tradition with meticulous modern winemaking. The Inferno Riserva 2016 shows red currant, dried herbs, and spice framed by firm structure and graceful length—a true expression of high-altitude Nebbiolo.
Learn more: plozza.com | @plozza_wine_group
Available in Florida via Wine by the Bay.
Josetta Saffirio – Barolo DOCG Riserva 1948
Region & Heritage
In Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, Josetta Saffirio embodies five generations of family winemaking. Established in the 1970s by Josetta Saffirio and Roberto Vezza, the estate is now led by Sara Vezza, who combines tradition with creativity and sustainability. Vineyards in Castelletto, Perno, Bussia, and Ravera produce Nebbiolo of refined complexity and longevity.
Sustainability Commitment
Certified Biodiversity Friend, the estate dedicates half its land to forest preservation and operates on solar energy. Organic conversion began in 2004, and every vineyard is tended with respect for future generations.
Wine Style & Tasting Notes
The Barolo DOCG Riserva 1948—from a vineyard planted that same year—offers aromas of dark cherry, violet, and spice with silky tannins and remarkable depth. It represents the estate’s heritage and Sara Vezza’s vision for timeless Barolo.
Visitor Experience
At the Località Castelletto estate, guests can book guided tastings of single-vineyard Barolos and Alta Langa sparkling wines while discovering art, biodiversity, and family legacy in the Langhe hills.
Read more in our feature: Chat with Sara Vezza →
Learn more: josettasaffirio.com | Instagram @josetta_saffirio
Suggested Pairing: Braised beef with Barolo reduction or aged Castelmagno cheese.
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