For a wine enthusiast, stumbling upon a wine made by a grape you never had before is like finding a treasure in a treasure hunt. It’s the “hook” that catches, and delights, wine explorers, from wine loving consumers to wine professionals.

Branch out from the same old same old: get onto the unbeaten path and experience the thrill of trying a wine grape you never had. Plus we’re here to tell you the rich, and real, stories behind them. Start your treasure hunt with this article.

Hear the story of the Ukrainian woman turned winemaker in the Modena province of Italy who was on a mission to make a monovarietal wine from a rare grape that thrives only in high altitudes. She made several attempts and then Sgarbato was born. This Pet Nat sparkling wine made from 100% Uva Tosca,  an ancient grape whose wine was described as "really healthy" by a 17th century Italian agronomist, is like drinking cranberry juice as a sparkling wine. Uva Tosca was abandoned after phylloxera, and thanks to Irene of Frignano, it is making a comeback in Italy's Emilia Romagna region. Read on to learn about this "underdog grape" and to explore the rich cultural heritage in the land where this grape was born.

Straight from an authentic Italian restaurant is this delicious eggplant recipe. It is a baked eggplant parmesan that woman winemaker and chef, Jacqueline Mitchell of Ojai Pacific View has wowed her family and friends with while taking vacations back home in the US from her “real job” as chef at a local favorite trattoria in the Langhe Italy. Not suprisingly, the wine and food pairing with her own California Dolcetto is out of this world.

Make your own parmigiana con melanzane with this eggplant recipe baked inside.

We sat down with Luisa Corino, the first woman to take the helm with her brother Guido as the sixth generation of historic natural winery estate, Case Corini in Piedmont Italy. Get to know what makes her “tick,” what she does behind the scenes, her family and her hopes for the future of Case Corini. Check out this exclusive interview with this woman of wine in this article.

Dolcetto, a grape native to Italy's Piedmont region, ripens early and produces fresh, lively red wines. Unlike the area's famed Barolos, Dolcetto shines young, making it a beloved everyday red. We'll explore Dolcetto's journey, from sun-soaked vineyards in Italy to California, where a passion for Italian wines inspires a new chapter for this unique grape.

Hilde Petrussa, inheriting a generations-long legacy of winemaking in Friuli, Italy, carries the torch with passion and respect. From her grandfather's farm to her mother's pioneering spirit, Hilde honors tradition while embracing sustainability. Witness her meticulous care for the vines, her dedication to Schioppettino, and her innovative use of air-dried grapes. Discover her love for Richenza and Schioppettino di Prepotto, and get a glimpse into the future of Vigna Petrussa – a commitment to green practices and crafting wines that express the unique terroir. Dive deeper and savor the taste of her story.

Saint Laurent is not just in the fashion world: do you know that it is a wine grape too?

Learn fun facts about this grape which could become your next go-to red wine, like:

• Saint Laurent is the number one most planted red wine grape variety in the Czech Republic;

• its closest relative is one of the most famous red wine grapes in the world.

Plus, as a bonus in this article, we have a recipe for Beef Bourguignon, or Beef Burgundy, with a twist. What is it? Find out inside!

Let's spill the beans on the whole spaghetti and meatballs gig – turns out, it's more Italian American than straight up Italian. Say hello to authentic meatballs, or polpette, the real deal in Italy, where meatballs is the main character, and pasta isn't their sidekick. Learn many ways to serve and make homemade meatballs, and the secret to making a really good polpetta. Get an authentic recipe, that is both easy and versatile for meatballs, spice it up with some traditional Italian wine and food pairings. Get ready to cook, crunch, and sip your way through authentic Italian vibes.

Venture beyond Barolo in the enchanting Langhe of Northern Italy and discover the hidden gem of Bastia Mondovi, home to the Piovano family winery. With a rich history rooted in the heart of this picturesque region, the Piovanos craft authentic Italian wines. Embracing a philosophy that wine is more than a drink, Piovano’s foundation for love and passion in wine reflect their commitment to thoughtful, low-touch winemaking. Their 00 natural Piemonte Barbera defies expectations: aged for five years, delivering a full-bodied red wine with character, intensity, and a velvety richness that captivates the senses. Experience the magic of the Piovano family's winemaking and savor the complexities of this exceptional Piemonte Barbera.

It may be a discounted animal… but in many parts of the world the Wild Boar is an important part of life and the kitchen! Explore the world of wild boars, recipes, wine pairings and more traveling through Italy, the Czech Republic, and even the Americas. Stick around to the end for an authentic recipe for Pappardelle con Cinghiale or Pappardelle Pasta with a Wild Boar Ragu sauce including pairing foods of wild wines with wild boar.

Are you planning a party ? Are you going to one?  Needing a gift but not sure what wine to select?

Hosting a  party or finding a great gift for a wine lover just got easier with our tips on finding crowd-pleasing, drinkable wine that caters to diverse tastes, while also finding wines that are unique and stand out.

We have an approach to finding crowd pleaser wines in our latest blog article. We liken it to Goldilocks - remember her? But now we've moved up, from porridge to wine.

Read on for expert tips and find your own Goldilocks wine!

Amidst the post-Thanksgiving festivities, let's reflect on the roots of gratitude by exploring the enduring legacy of Native Americans and their traditions to preserve the natural ecosystems around them in a regenerative way. Join us on a cultural journey through some Native American peoples’ rich history, legends, and spiritual landscapes, such as the Chumash which thrived for thousands of years in Ventura County and the Ojai Valley. From Dolcettos and winemaking traditions to the Channel Islands' significance, discover the profound connection between the Chumash people and their ancestral lands. Delve into a narrative of resilience, preservation, and leadership in holistic and sustainable marine life and agriculture conservation, as we honor the original inhabitants of our homes during National Native American Heritage Month.

Wine and food pairing can seem like a daunting task, yet, once you get down the basic principles, there is almost no right or wrong. It can turn into a life long skill that you can practice all the time, while alone or in groups, while at home or out and about. Start with this article which lays out an easy to follow approach to pairing foods. Then you’ll be on your way to doing fun and tasty food and wine pairings with others.

The Langhe region in Piemonte, Northern Italy, is renowned for its exceptional red wines, but the story of each vintage is written by Mother Nature herself. Barolo winery owner Aldo Clerico wisely notes that winemakers don't make the same wine every year; it all depends on nature's whims. In this article we explore the Langhe's most recent vintages as we've witnessed first hand the impact of climate shifts on this terroir with extreme weather, such as devastating hailstorms, altering the winemaking landscape. Learn how Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo grapes adapt to vintage variations from 2016 to 2021. Join us in understanding how the weather's ever-changing story shapes Langhe's timeless wines.

Case Corini, a biodynamic winery in Piedmont, Italy, stands out for its unconventional approach to winemaking and the unique philosophy. How does this philosophy extends to their vintages? Learn how the sixth generation, siblings Guido and Luisa, handle vintage variations and get the low down on their prestigious Barla wine, in an exclusive year by year tasting that you can even recreate yourself. Learn about how the weather impacted Case Corini wines vintage by vintage in this article.

In the captivating world of wine, there's an age-old secret that lies within each bottle—the vintage. It's a timestamp of history, a testament to the unique interplay of climate, terroir, and winemaking expertise. As we delve into the climatic nuances of wine vintages, we unlock a trove of stories, each sip an invitation to a specific moment in time. From the warmth of a sun-soaked harvest to the cool feeling of a late autumn rain, wine vintages encapsulate the essence of the year they were born. Find out how you too can assess a wine vintage in this article.

In the heart of the Corino family's vineyards lies a beautiful union of natural wine craftsmanship and regenerative agriculture practices. Discover how their commitment to sustainability and biodiversity not only produces exquisite, vibrant wines but also regenerates the earth, ensuring the longevity of the vineyards for generations to come. Explore with us today vineyard by vineyard what the differences are, and why only certain vineyards make certain wines.

It is a simple dish found throughout Italy, a staple of family gatherings and the ultimate svuota frigo or pantry meal: the torta salata, aka an Italian version of quiche. With endless possibilities for ingredients, they can be both an exercise in culinary creativity and a way to finish up bits and bobs of food in the fridge. No wonder that the Italian nonna is often behind the makings. Straight from nonna Petrussa of 3 generations of women at Vigna Petrussa, we have this breakfast recipe casserole to share. Grab a pie crust and let your imagination run wild.

In the world of wines, few stories are as captivating as the one that unfolds across six generations of natural winemakers in the Corino Family. From Nebbiolo wines to the rustic charm of Barbera wines, the Corinos have embraced the art of crafting exceptional, vegan, biodynamic, and organic wines. Their biodynamic winery stands as a testament to their commitment to farming sustainably, practicing regenerative agriculture that nurtures the land. Their dedication to nature wines and the ethos of natural winemaking showcases the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, making them true pioneers in the realm of biodynamic farming.

Did you know that winegrowers have their preferences when it comes to grapes? But it’s not based necessarily on the sensation when tasting the wine. Instead it’s based on the work and attention involved to cultivate the grape and make a good wine out of it. Barbera is one of those grapes. Think of it as the grape that’s a difficult child: needing extra rearing and care as it ‘grows up and becomes a wine.’ But, boy, can that extra effort yield great results!

And there is another silver lining: it weathers climate change quite well.

Find out more in this article.