It's our triumphant return to Marche with Jonathan Zeiger of ZRG Imports and Wines of Marche! But this time we've added another somewhat undiscovered region - Umbria! Join us in August as we discuss the wines from the lesser known Italian regions of Marche and Umbria.

Our Undiscovered Italy Marche and Umbria program will showcase both regions, highlighting wine and foods and the businesses within.

Much thanks to our sponsor: Suzi Perez, CEO & Founder, 

Vinmaps LLC @vinmapsforyou

Tuesdays 6:00pm – 7:00pm PST online Twitter hashtag #WineStudio

Week 1: August 2 - Welcome to Marche and Umbria

Just east of well-known Tuscany lies the centrally located Marche and Umbria regions which have somehow remained fairly unsung.  Filled with olive groves, rolling, sun-ripened wheat fields, wildflowers dabbled with cypress trees and of course vineyards, the essentially rural regions are dotted with hill towns, beacons of cool stone surrounded by green pastures and even greener woods.

Tonight we’ll discuss what makes Marche and Umbria so incredibly special:  rustic regions, creative and individual.

Special 15% off discount available through Sabatino Tartufi @sabatinotruffle -  use code #winestudio through the month of August!

Week 2: August 9 -  We return to Marche with Jonathan Zeiger and guest appearance by Timothy Hanni MW

Professor Hanni talks about his new book “Why You Like the Wines You Like”
--why we like what we like and drink what we drink. What’s your VinoType? @timhanni

--We'll be giving away a few coveted copies of his book!

Jonathan Zeiger is back with his new project: Wines of Marche! @WinesofMarche

Week 3: August 16 - Jonathan introduces us to Colli Ripani

What began as a partnership between a handful of farmers in 1969 has grown into a cooperative of over 330 small, local growers. One thing that Colli Ripani did not lose with its growth was its quality. Each of the partnered vineyards is between 2-4 hectares, and each of the growers knows their vines inside and out. It’s this attention to quality that has made the Cantina dei Colli Ripani a leader in its area, both as a producer and as an employer.

Tasting:

Colli Ripani 2014 Trebbiano IGT
Colli Ripani 2014 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
Colli Ripani 2014 Rosso Piceno DOC

Week 4: August 23 -  Giselle Stafford, Gusto Wine Tours | Angelo Fongoli, winemaker Fongoli Winery | Amy Ezrin, Senior VP Massanois Imports

SPECIAL TIME 23 AUGUST ONLY TO ACCOMMODATE OUR ITALIAN GUESTS:

12PM PST / 3PM EST

Umbria – a day in the life. Thrilled to be joined by Giselle Stafford, co owner with husband Mark of Gusto Wine Tours.  “Mark and I dreamt up Gusto Wine Tours as a means to stay in our beloved Umbria.  Soon we realised that it wasn’t just a means to an end - but a real fun, pleasurable and meaningful business.” 

We'll be tasting winemaker Angelo Fongoli's Sagrantino @CFongoli while discussing his winery and the Montefalco region and joined by importer Amy Erin @lavinaia discussing that special relationship between winery and importer.

Tasting:

Fongoli 2010 Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG

6pm PST - Jonathan Zeiger returns so we can discuss and taste Rio Maggio and Centanni!

Tasting:

Rio Maggio 2012 Falerio Pecorino DOC
Rio Maggio 2011 Rosso Piceno DOC
Centanni 2013 Rosso Piceno DOC

Week 5: August 30 -  Order of Malta Wines with Clay Fritz and Giulia Luccioli

Thanks to Clay Fritz, owner and winemaker of Fritz Winery in Dry Creek Valley, we’ll be tasting wines only imported to San Diego. The Order of Malta - The Knights of the White Cross is an ancient religious order that continues to provide global relief efforts to areas affected by natural disasters. Their funding is provided by their winemaking, some of which is imported by Order of Malta member Clay. @FritzWinery

Giulia is the Senior Managing Director of a group of leading wine estates in Italy. She started off her career with an advanced degree in Business & Communications from the University in Milan and attended Stanford University’s Specialization Course in Strategic Marketing.

After a career in International Marketing in the United States, Giulia returned to the beautiful region of Umbria, Italy where she now resides. The small, family owned vineyards, most seem unchanged by time, are still producing those traditional flavors that make Umbria so special. 

Sagrivit
Giulia heads the sales department at Sagrivit, one of the largest Agricultural Companies in Italy comprising 14 Producers. It includes farms that cultivate grains, animal feed, tobacco and livestock and four estates specialize in viticulture: Castello di Magione (DOC Colli del Trasimeno in Umbria), Commenda Meniconi Bracceschi (DOC Torgiano zone Umbria), Rocca Bernarda (DOC Colli Orinetali Friuli) and Villa Giustiniani (DOCG Colli Asolani Veneto). 

Colli Trasimeno DOC and Torgiano DOC production zones

Castello di Magione is a magnificent medieval castle built as a hospital for pilgrims travelling to Rome in XII century. Wine production here began in the Middle Ages, and it remained an important influence in the history of viniculture worldwide. The vineyards are located on the hills circulating the Lake Trasimeno in Umbria, where abundant sunshine and perfect exposure ensure delicious grapes.  Castello di Magione has contributed greatly to the awareness of and appreciation for its native grapes, particularly the Grechetto, Trebbiano and Sangiovese.

Tasting:

Castello di Magione - 900 years of tradition in a glass!

Castello di Magione 2013 Monterone Grechetto Colli del Trasimeno DOC
Castello di Magione 2014 Sangiovese Umbria
Castello di Magione 2008 Morcinaia Vendemmia

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Speaking of icons...

In September we turn our sights south to Argentina, one of the top five producing wine countries in the world. And while winemaking in the region is by no means new (modern wine making was recorded as early as the 1500s) it’s only been in the past twenty-five years that winemaking in the region has expanded and begun to include exports.

Our host winery for the month is Achaval-Ferrer, this is a winery we know well. We’ve met with the founders, winemakers and sales reps for this amazing winery over the years and each time it's a pleasure. Achaval-Ferrer began its enterprise in 1995, just when Argentina began to focus on exports to other countries. Since that time the winery has been on the forefront to guiding the effort of serious site and viticulture selection combined with high-end winemaking. For over 20 years Achaval-Ferrer has helped to lead the way in developing Argentina as one of the top wine producing countries. 

Join us in September as we explore the wonderful region of Argentina with Achaval-Ferrer! Register below.

#WineStudio Dates September: 6, 13, 20, 27

For the last twenty-five years seminal issues relating to the sale of wine have been sorted via the Australia wine industry. Issues such as: the potential relevance of the 100 point scoring system, establishing delineation of new wine regions, exporting large quantities of wine and the struggle of dealing with the rise and fall of world wine demand (among many other core issues) have all been well sussed via the Australian wine trade.

And through all of this, Two Hands Wines was born, grew and is now flourishing. Founded in 1999, Two Hands Wines has operated as the modern Australian wine market was established, experience explosive growth, crashed and has now begun to grow again. Dedicated to expertly crafted wines form a number of appellations, Two Hands winery is a truly influential winery that we’ve come to love over the years.

Join us in October as we explore the recent history of the Australian wine trade hosted by Two Hands Wines. Register below.

#WineStudio Dates October: 4, 11, 18, 25