Italy
Carlin de Paolo, Piemonte
A family-run firm already in its fourth generation, has always dedicated itself to wine production and trade. It owes its name to the founder Paolo and his son Carlo, nicknamed Carlin.
A strong passion for the land, grape-growing and wine production has been passed down from father to son up to our days. Giancarlo and Davide, the founder’s grandsons, currently carry on the activity helped by their parents Franco and Giusy and with the support of their younger brothers Lorenzo and Paolo.
While still respecting agelong traditions they avail themselves of modern technology so as to obtain the best quality possible.
“Good wine is not made in the cellar but on the vineyard”. This is the philosophy which has guided the Ponte Family, founder and still today head of the Carlin de Paolo firm. The sole objective of the commitment, competence and hard work dedicated to the vineyards is the production of top quality grapes, an element essential to achieve excellence.
Tenuta Cantagallo e Tenuta Le Farnete, Tuscano
Tenuta Cantagallo belongs to our family since 1970; the first who decided to work there was the grand-father,
but the love for country life and the respect for the old farmers way of life passed on to the nephews; in fact it’s about ten years that Enrico (one of the nephews) gave new strength to the farm activities, directing them toward high quality wine production and quitting loose wine selling. In the last years Enrico’s wife Monia and the other brothers and sisters, Enrica, Serena and Dario, flanked Enrico, increasing the farm activities with foodstuffs production (honey, preserves, sauces etc.), wine tourism with wine and food tasting and farm accommodation. The whole family, including the parents Carla and Raffaello, Enrica and Serena’s husbands and the little nephew just born Allegra, live in the farm, because even those who don’t work there share the bond with the country high quality way of life.
La Travaglina, Lombardy
The Dacarro family grew up in this beautiful rural environment, which has always stimulated, even as children, to take an interest and participate in everything that happened in the company. They found themselves adults, to love what they do and where they do it, continuing with passion and dedication to the work undertaken by their parents as if it were their own natural evolution.
“The grass you see in the vineyards of photographs is not neglect or disorder, but rather a conscious choice to respect for the environment, for the land, for the product to the customer. We set up an agricultural policy aimed at environmental sustainability, through the abolition of herbicides, the reduction of agricultural work in the vineyard (due to erosion), the reduction of fertilizer and pesticide treatments. We also chose to keep the old vineyards, which provide low yields and high quality, and to make all new installations with a high density of plants per hectare, with the intent to minimize the production of each vine and thereby increase the quality of the grapes. Since the beginning of 2011 an eco-friendly photovoltaic system allows us to be self-sufficient in terms of energy”.
George and Sergio Dacarro (respectively father and uncle) acquired the farm in 1967 The Travaglina, then used as a dwelling, it was an old house, which they have found no mention in documents of the 18th century, surrounded by 7 hectares of land planted with vines; relying on their experience of winemaker (George) and commercial (Sergio), acquired in the previous task, started the farm La Travaglina. In the years following the Travaglina grew by acquiring land from neighboring small producers, and expanding the space used for the vinification and aging and storage, up to the current situation.
Brother and Sister, Stephen and Elizabeth Dacarro, the current owners of the company, felt as children to participate in this evolution of the company and now they begin to know and appreciate this activity so varied and challenging but at the same time fascinating and exciting.
THE TRAVAGLINA TODAY. On the first hills in the municipality of Santa Giuletta, in the heart of the hills at Pavese area of great winemaking tradition, particularly famous for the production of sparkling wines and sparkling Bonarda (classic method) of excellent quality. The 33 hectares of vineyards stretching in one body around the buildings in which carry out independently all the operations of crushing, fermentation, aging, bottling and storage. Over the years they have diversified the production alongside classic wines characteristic Oltrepò some less traditional products, vinified in limited quantities, which have achieved great success in the most demanding Customers.
South Africa
DeWaal Estate Vineyards, Stellenbosch
A historic family legacy that boasts nine generations of passionate winemakers entirely focused on delighting their patrons by offering exceptional wines. DeWaal’s mature vineyards offer grapes that produce deep, rich wines fondly recalled for their consistent quality and enjoyment. DeWaal’s value-for-money proposition promotes everyday enjoyment that far exceeds other cellars’ concept of quality wine. Uiterwyk (1682), situated in the cool Stellenbosch Hills, has been a De Waal family concern since 1864. The wines combine elegant Old World finesse and abundant New World fruit. This modest family caused quite a stir in 1998 by winning Wine Magazine’s Champion Pinotage award with their single vineyard wine, the Top-of-the-Hill Pinotage, made from more than 50-year-old vines.
An historic family legacy that boasts nine generations of passionate winemakering entirely focused on delighting their patrons by offering exceptional wines.
DeWaal’s mature vineyards offer grapes that produce deep, rich wines fondly remembered for their consistent quality and enjoyment.
DeWaal’s value-for-money wines promotes everyday enjoyment that far exceeds other cellars’ concept of quality wine.
Washington USA
Gilbert Cellars, Yakima WA – Available in Alberta only.
We invite you to enjoy our elegant estate wines, produced with great care from grapes grown on the Wahluke Slope and in the Yakima and Columbia Valleys here in Washington State. Since 2004, three generations of Gilberts have been committed to making the winery a success through shared vision and a passion for producing true-to-varietal wines from our family vineyards. Farming with family in the Yakima Valley since 1897, we are dedicated to community, sustainable farming, and hospitality. Meet us in our beautiful and lively tasting room in downtown Yakima or at events throughout the Northwest.
“From our vineyards and cellars to our tasting room and sales, Gilbert Cellars is a story of family collaboration. Three generations of Gilberts are committed to making the winery a success through shared vision, personal investment, and a passion for producing great wine from our family’s vineyards.” Sean Gilbert.
Mark Ryan Wines, Woodinville WA
Mark Ryan McNeilly founded Mark Ryan Winery in 1999 with the goal of making the best wines in Washington State. Largely self-taught, Mark honed the craft of winemaking through rigorous study and the welcomed advice of some of the area’s most experienced producers.
In the early years the winery was transient. The first vintages of Long Haul and Dead Horse were produced crushed and pressed in garages of friends and family, barrels aged in warehouses in the Seattle Area, and finally settling in Woodinville, WA in 2003.
Over a decade later, Mark Ryan Winery has grown in size, earned acclaim from wine-lovers and critics alike, and garnered respect from the state’s elite producers. The goal, however, remains the same. Make delicious wines that represent the vineyard from which they come, making every vintage better than the last… 
Klipsun Vineyards
Named by Wine and Spirits magazine as one of the Top 25 vineyards in the World, Klipsun is truly a Washington icon. Located on the western edge of Red Mountain AVA, the vineyard was planted in 1984 by David and Patricia Gelles. There are currently 120 acres planted to vines, managed by Julia Kock. Klipsun fruit is all about power. It’s placement on Red Mountain exposes the vines to strong nighttime winds that thicken the grape’s skins, making a smaller berry with dense fruit concentration and broad-shouldered structure. These conditions, coupled with the natural, consistent heat of Red Mountain create a wine of big, bold aromas and muscular intensity and power.
Mark Ryan, Board Track Racer Series.
Mark Ryan second label with amazing value and quality. A cult wine in Washington and loved by all who reach out and enjoy it. Red blend and Chardonnay available.
GLM Wine Co. Blaine WA.
Tucked away in the northwest corner of Washington is a winery that’s just minding its own business. Glacial Lake Missoula Wine Co. isn’t trying to pick a fight with other wineries, but it might succeed nevertheless. At the very least, Blaine-based Glacial Lake Missoula Garagistes Winery would be shunned in Walla Walla, where an organic viticultural practice called biodynamics is all the rage.
Ironically, despite the employment of a huge dose of science in the creation of these wines, Glacial Lake’s black-and-white labels, depicting a rushing wall of water, are exceptionally pleasing for their aesthetic quality. Moreover, the poetically name “Deluge” was the perfect choice for a wine that celebrates the Ice Age floods of eastern Washington. These floods, combined with thousands of years of strong winds, resulted in rich soils perfect for growing premium wine grapes.
“I’m not sure what an ideal wine matrix is, but the folks at Glacial Lake Missoula Wine Co. are quite willing to explain their winemaking practice in detail. In fact, bring your notebook and no. 2 pencil, and be prepared to take copious notes. The “Science of Winemaking” class is now in session.”
Giant Wine Co. Woodinville WA
Joint venture between two super premium winemakers, whom happen to be good friends, Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Wines and Chris Gorman of Gorman Wines. The good friends decided to one day whip up a little company to create a great value drinker, which they needed, considering the wines they both make are considered some of the very best Washington wine and are not really designed to be sat on the table with a burger. Chris and Mark created the Giant Wine Co. to release a great value red called the Ghost of 413. The ghost name for a winery license Chris applied for but never used, license number 413.
This great little company and amazing little wine is a great value and shows what one can do with good Washington grape. Always good and changes every year!
Idaho USA
Koenig Distillery and Winery, Caldwell ID
Koenig Distillery and Winery combines Old Word brandy, vodka, and winemaking traditions with some of the Northwest’s finest fruit to produce classic eau-de-vie fruit brandies, premium varietal wines, and vodka.
For proprietors Andy and Greg Koenig, the idea to establish a distillery and winery in Southwest Idaho has roots in Europe, where the brothers have lived for three years in their father’s hometown of Lustenau, Austria. There, pears and apples and plums were transformed into clear, distinctive spirits through the age-old art of distillation.
At home in Idaho, some of the Northwest’s finest fruit was being grown on the Sunny Slope, near where their mother’s family had homesteaded and made wine during the Great Depression two generations earlier. The concept of traditionally distilling this high-quality fruit into world-class brandies provided the foundation on which the Koenig brothers slowly built the Koenig Distillery and Winery, where you are invited to taste and see the results of the unique combination of the Old World and the New.
For over four generations, the Sunny Slope area has been synonymous with the highest quality fruit. Long summer days, cool nights and the temperate influence of the Snake River create an ideal climate for growing aromatic fruit and premium wine-grapes. Fertile, sandy soils and high altitude add an extra dimension exclusive to this portion of the Snake River Valley. Aware of the potential quality of brandy distilled from fruit grown in this area, Andy and Greg Koenig set out to establish a small orchard and vineyard near the river. Peach, apricot, plum, pear and cherry varieties known for their flavor were planted in 1995, with a small vineyard of Merlot, Semillon, and Chardonnay being added a year later. Harvest from these plantings comprise the majority of Koenig brandies and wines. In 2006, the Koenig’s added new, much larger distilling equipment in order to produce vodka.
Australia
Shaw Vineyards, Murrumbateman, South Australia
Shaw Vineyard Estate is a Boutique Winery established in 1998 on “Olleyville”, a 700 acre fine wool producing property established in the mid 1800′s. This historic property is located in Murrumbateman along the Barton Highway between Canberra and Yass.
Shaw Vineyard Estate is a family owned and operated business, producing a full range of top quality estate grown fruit has enabled Shaw Vineyard Estate to consistently make superb quality wines year after year. Located in a prime position within what is described as a cool climate region at an elevation of around 640 metres, the Estate is quite unique in that several of the sites with appropriately sloping aspects, and superb soils, have microclimates perfectly suiting the production of outstanding Cabernet.
In fact, the property with around 85 acres under vines including Riesling, Semillon, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, provides Shaw wines with its entire production, and can lay claim to the fact that they produce 100% Estate grown wines. In just a few short years, Shaw Vineyard Estate wines have already been recognised with 10 trophies and a swag of gold, silver and bronze medals from various Australian and International wine shows.
STAR WINES – The Estate has the capacity to produce 25,000 cases from this prime vineyard, and the wines are marketed internationally under its three core labels each with a reference to the unique star formation that rises above Australia – the Southern Cross; Reserve, Premium Range and Winemakers Selection.
We have recently released a niche wine under the Riscato label to meet the growing demands of younger wine drinkers and to complement today’s lifestyle.