Real Italian Wine
Sheila Donohue, founder of VeroVino
By now, you should all know that Vero means “Real” in Italian. What you may not know is that our slogan is “Connecting Passion.” People find out about us, our producers and products mainly through word of mouth because they share our passion of discovering and enjoying authentic, wild and scarce wines and foods by small farmer-artisans.
Journalists, like Helen Gregory, who have this passion and “get” the value-add that we provide help “the word” to reach more people that not only align with our ethos and values, but, most importantly, love the joy of finding a hidden gem. Slowly but surely, in this organic way, we, along with our Vero producers, are winning the hearts and palates of wine and food explorers across America.
Helen wrote the following article in the magazine of Fra Noi, a Chicago based media company which “brings Italy and Italian America to your doorstep.” We thought it captures really well the essence of what we are. We got the permission to republish it, so enjoy!
Meet VeroVino
Sheila Donohue of VeroVino has made it her life’s mission to focus on small-production wines, olive oils and foods from Italy and beyond. A native New Yorker, Donohue trained as a sommelier in Italy while working full-time in banking and technology. She lived in Bologna for 20 years, finding her vocation in wine along the way. A champion of small producers farming their own land, Donohue now runs a specialty craft-wine importing company based in Ventura, California.
Donohue didn’t start out in the wine industry; it’s the path she chose after much reflection. In 2016, she was at a crossroads in her life with a yearlong sabbatical in Italy to reevaluate the future. “I had a passion for wine and started to formulate an idea to support small producers,” Donohue recalls. VeroVino launched in 2017: The name means “real wine” in Italian and captures her mission to represent sustainably made, authentic products that exemplify the true nature of wines and winemaking.
By one measure, only 1% of the world’s wines will make it to the U.S. And of those, the smallest slice is represented by VeroVino. Donohue lists her wines on the VeroVino website [in the VeroShop] along with the number of bottles available to buy. That number is often under 20. It’s a portfolio of hidden gems made by farmer-artisans who are committed to making wines that are a true expression of place and with a profound respect for eco-friendly practices that respect the land. With every story Donohue shares, the people behind the wines emerge as the real inspiration for her business.
Meet Some of the Vero Producers
In 2018, Donohue met Hilde Petrussa and Francesca Mecchia, the mother-daughter team behind Vigna Petrussa, located in the village of Albana on the border of Friuli and Slovenia. Petrussa took over as winemaker and vigneron from her mother in 1995. Now in its third generation as a woman-owned winery, Vigna Petrussa is an anomaly in this idyllic, very traditional region. Petrussa has always focused on high-quality, indigenous grapes, defying protocol by reviving Schioppettino, a red heirloom grape originally excluded from the official registry of approved varieties. Recalling the grape with fondness from her childhood, Petrussa helped establish the DOC Schioppettino while also serving as the association’s first president. Petrussa makes a range of wines, including four styles of Schioppettino [from unoaked, to classic, riserva, and even dessert]. All are hand-harvested, and the top tiers are extremely rare. It’s worth cherishing this elegant variety, which lingers on the palate with notes of fresh pepper and violets. This January, Vigna Petrussa Schioppettino 2019 received the renowned Tre Bicchieri award, an exceptional achievement for a wine that Petrussa rescued from obscurity.
Like Petrussa, the family that owns Case Corini in Piedmont also believes in making a difference. Fifth-generation winemaker Lorenzo Corino passed away in 2021, leaving his children at the helm with a tremendous legacy to fulfill. Corino was an advocate of zero-zero (nothing added, nothing removed) winemaking and responsible agriculture. The Case Corini Centin is sourced from naturally cultivated 70-year-old vines, a pure expression of Nebbiolo with notes of cardamom, cherry and forest fruits. Corino’s generous and inquisitive nature also encompassed years of groundbreaking work in regenerative farming in collaboration with biodynamic wine and olive oil entrepreneur Antonella Manuli of La Maliosa in Tuscany, another VeroVino partner. Manuli found a mentor in Corino, who taught her to make wines that are respectful of nature and people. They’re also beautifully balanced and a pleasure to drink.
Boutique importers like VeroVino are safeguarding Italy’s artisanal wine traditions. As Donohue explains, “You don’t always need evolution. Just go back to basics! We’ve come full circle from state-of-the-art advances to appreciating the origins of authentic wine.”
This article was written by journalist Helen Gregory, the Founder and President of Gregory + Vine.
Try “Vero” Italian Wines
As a wine merchant, we sell our portfolio of authentic, wild and scarce farm-to-glass wines and olive oils to businesses and consumers across the US:
If you are a distributor reach out to us introduce our highly curated portfolio of one of a kind small production wines to your state.
We sell to wine stores and restaurants in certain states - contact us to learn more.
If our farm crafted wines and olive oils are not in your local shop or restaurant, you can buy wine online here, and we’ll ship it to you, including wine gifts.
We also have an award winning wine club for true wine explorers that are seeking to continually discover unique, sustainable and authentic small production wines they never had. These are wines selected by our sommeliers and curated for each box.
We do corporate gifts and sommelier guided wine tastings. Email us and we’ll tailor unique and sustainable corporate gift ideas.
Meet the Producers and Taste All Their Wines
This is an unoaked Schioppettino from a women owned winery who spearheaded the rebirth of Schioppettino in the 'birthplace' of the grape which is Prepotto, Fruili. Having a deep purple-garnet color, it has notes of black pepper and dark fruit. Its taste is tangy, fresh and juicy with a long clean finish. Pairs with many dishes from hamburgers to roast pork. World renowned wine critic, Ian D’Agata calls this Schioppettino a ‘very pretty wine’ and named it a 'Best Buy Italian Wine'.
Some fun facts about this wine:
Vigna Petrussa also calls this wine ‘RiNera’, or a nickname for ‘Ribolla Nera’, local term given to the wine.
The grapes actually come from Prepotto but since it is not aged in oak the winery is not 'allowed' to put Prepotto on the label.
Vigna Petrussa is a certified sustainable and biodiverse women-owned winery.
Prepotto is the birthplace of the hard-to-find Schioppettino varietal. It gets its name from the Italian 'schioppare' or to burst, since the grape 'bursts' in your mouth when you eat it. Aromas and tastes of black pepper and plums. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for two to two and a half years in oak barriques. Strong cheese lovers love to indulge in this wine.
Gold Medal Decanter, plus many other awards. Vigna Petrussa's oak-aged 2019 Schioppettino won the prestigious 3 Bicchieri Award by Gambero Rosso.
Vigna Petrussa is a certified sustainable and biodiverse women-owned winery.
This limited production wine from the birthplace of the Schioppettino varietal is made only in the best years with carefully selected fruit from which Hilde Petrussa makes her own Pied de Cuve native wild yeast. Aged in tonneau for 36 months then 6 months in the bottle. It has a complex nose ranging from black pepper to dark berry compote, allspice and some wild animal fur. Due to its well balanced acidity, tannins and smooth taste, it is a great midway for both Pinot and Cab lovers.
This wine was awarded
a Silver Medal by Decanter
Top Italian Wine in the Go Wine Cantine d'Italia 2024 Guide
90 points by 5starwines
4 crowns by 'Vini Buoni Italiani'
Vigna Petrussa is a certified sustainable and biodiverse women-owned winery.
This is Schioppettino red wine is made only in the best years and is made with 100% air dried grapes, or apassimento, like Amarone. It is a rich red natural wine with concentrated flavors made with native yeast fermentation. A delicious 'meditation wine,' its slight sweetness makes it an Italian 'sweet wine' alternative for Port. Pairs incredibly well with dark chocolate. Or you can pair it with flavorful meat dishes, like wild boar.
Vigna Petrussa is a certified sustainable and biodiverse women-owned winery.
All natural, old vine nebbiolo and barbera blend with no added sulfites and yeast. Aromas of milk chocolate covered cherries, it has a fresh and rich fruity taste with notable tannins and a has a long piquant finish. Name comes from the former owner of the 70 year old vineyard which has a mix of Nebbiolo and Barbera and is down the hill from the childhood home of Lorenzo Corino. After a gentle crushing, fermentation starts with native yeast fermentation and wines are left with skin contact for 6-7 weeks, followed by about 30 months of aging in wooden barrels. As with all of Case Corini wines, this is a 00 wine, nothing added, nothing removed, no yeast, no sulphites added, organic, biodynamic, vegan. In other words, all natural wine.
Earthy, age-worthy nebbiolo made from 70 year old naturally cultivated vines. Named for the dearly beloved grandfather of Lorenzo Corino. Having a garnet color with orange hues it has a complex, spicy nose with notes of cardamom and cinnamon. When tasting, it is fruit forward, cherry & forest fruits, followed by spices, and chalky tannins envelope the mouth and finishes elegantly. After a gentle crushing, fermentation starts with native yeast fermentation and wines are left with skin contact for 6-7 weeks, followed by about 36 mos of aging in wooden barrels.
As with all of Case Corini wines, this is a 00 wine, nothing added, nothing removed, no yeast, no sulphites added, organic, biodynamic, vegan. In other words, all natural wine.
From the old historic field blend vineyard in the Corino's family's 'backyard', this is a fresh, delicious, and complex natural red wine, nicely balanced with fresh raspberry taste along with chocolate shavings.
The Bricco vineyard, an old single vineyard made up of 60% barbera, then freisa along with other red native varieties, is right behind the family ‘villa.’ It has been used as a sort of experimental vineyard by Lorenzo Corino, and is harvested as a field blend.
As with all Case Corini wines, this wine is made with minimal intervention, no added sulfites, native yeast fermentation, vegan, and following the principles of regenerative agriculture, biodynamic and organic farming.
You never had a Barbera like this! Made from 95 year old Barbera vineyard, with some small percentage of other varieties planted over the years in the vineyard. This all natural wine has intense aromas of brandied cherries and a richly textured, delicious dark fruit taste with right balance of fruit, acidity and tannins. Barla is the antique name of the vineyard which used to be the land of an old convent. After a gentle crushing, fermentation starts with native yeast fermentation and wines are left with skin contact for 6-7 weeks, followed by about 36 months of aging in wooden barrels, housed under Lorenzo Corino's family home.
As with all of Case Corini wines, this is a 00 wine, nothing added, nothing removed, no yeast, no sulphites added, organic, biodynamic, vegan. In other words, all natural wine.
Woman made Saturnalia Bianco, on VinePair’s list of Top 15 Best Orange Wines, is an award winning, unfiltered and delicious skin contact orange wine made from old vine procanico & trebbiano grapes cultivated in volcanic soil.
This natural wine is made from the patented Metodo Corino, based on regenerative farming principles. Nothing is added but grapes! Made with unpressed, free run juice with native yeast fermentation. A two week maceration imparts a dark amber color. Aged only in stainless steel tanks, it has aromas of candied fruit, dried apricot and ginger.
It has pleasant acidity and tannins, and is balanced with a long finish. A pretty deep orange color, it is a great wine for difficult food pairings, it pairs with almost any dish.
Tastes Like: Candied Orange Peels
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Regenerative Agriculture | Sustainable Winery | Biodynamic | Native Yeast Fermentation | Vegan | No additives (ie non sulphites added) | Unfiltered | Organic | Metodo Corino | Natural Wine
Fun Facts: - The natural farming method that produced this wine, the metodo corino, is actually patented by La Maliosa woman winemaker Antonella Manuli after she helped to develop it with natural wine legend Lorenzo Corino of Case Corini.
- Named in honor of the Roman festival in December which took place near the winery, La Maliosa, this wine was once called Saturnia Bianco.
This wine is a rare treat, being one of the very few Sangiovese red wines grown on volcanic soil. This natural wine is a complex yet approachable. Tarconte is a distinctive old world style natural red wine with a touch of new world, having been aged for 36 months in oak barrels. Notes of earth, mineral, herbs, black pepper, it is super juicy with ripe tannins, a real food wine. A good pairing is with rosemary Asiago cheese. Don't be in a rush to enjoy it: open it and see how it evolves!
Tastes Like: A Baking Spice Cabinet
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Regenerative Agriculture | Sustainable Winery | Biodynamic | Native Yeast Fermentation | Vegan | No additives (ie non sulphites added) | Unfiltered | Organic | Metodo Corino | Natural Wine
Fun Facts: - The natural farming method that produced this wine, the metodo corino, is actually patented by La Maliosa woman winemaker Antonella Manuli after she helped to develop it with natural wine legend Lorenzo Corino of Case Corini.
- Named after an Etruscan mythological hero.
This is a woman made, limited production first cold press organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the Maremma hills of Tuscany made from a blend of four Tuscan cultivars. Buttery deliciousness with a bitter kick at the end, thanks to its polyphenols. It has won gold medals in a competition which judges the best extra virgin organic olive oils from around the world.
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Regenerative Agriculture | Sustainable Farming | Biodynamic | Vegan | No additives | Unfiltered | Organic | Metodo Corino
Fun Facts: The natural farming method that produced this extra virgin olive oil, the metodo corino, is actually patented by La Maliosa woman winemaker Antonella Manuli after she helped to develop it with natural wine legend Lorenzo Corino of Case Corini.
A prestigious first cold press monocultivar organic extra virgin olive oil from the Maremma hils of Tuscany which has won best organic extra virgin olive oil from Tuscany! Its polyphenols which are used to determine how good an olive oil is, are exceptionally high!
Top awards include extra gold, as best Tuscan organic EVOO by Biol Novello which evaluates the best olive oils in the world. In the past this olive oil has also won Best in Italy, as well as Gambero Rosso 3 leaves (their highest rating).
Its aromas of grass, green pepper and mint lead to an intense hot pepper taste and a long finish with black pepper lingering in your mouth. Even just a little drizzled over a simple lettuce salad will bring it to life with flavor.
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Regenerative Agriculture | Sustainable Farming | Biodynamic | Vegan | No additives | Unfiltered | Organic | Metodo Corino
Fun Facts: The natural farming method that produced this extra virgin olive oil, the metodo corino, is actually patented by La Maliosa woman winemaker Antonella Manuli after she helped to develop it with natural wine legend Lorenzo Corino of Case Corini.