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 IGT
Castello di Magione 2008 Morcinaia Colli del Trasimeno DOC
#winestudio is a free online event
Register now below.