Founded in 1980 by Pier Luigi Neri, Azienda Agricola Il Monticello is located in the picturesque hills of Sarzana, on the border between Liguria and Tuscany. Initially a passion project, the winery grew under the guidance of Pier Luigi’s sons, Alessandro and Davide, who embraced organic and biodynamic farming methods. The estate spans 14 hectares, with a commitment to sustainability and respecting the land. Visitors can explore the beautiful landscape and enjoy high-quality wines produced in harmony with nature.

Podere Scurtarola is a family winery situated at the peak of Candia Hills in the north-western corner of Tuscany. With the Apuan Alps as a backdrop and the vineyards stretching all the way down to the plains and the coastline far below, the view is indeed breathtaking. But working the vineyards can be challenging. The slopes are very steep and the epithet Heroic Wine, sometimes used for this region as well as for nearby Cinque Terre, is well earned and appropriate. This is Vermentino Land, and Pierpaolo Lorieri, the owner of Podere Scurtarola, has done much to forward research and diffusion of knowledge about this fantastic grape. But it is not the only local grape of interest. The indigenous Vermentino Nero grape have been vinified at Podere Scurtarola since 1996, and the Vernero wine is the celebrated result of this labour, bringing out the full flavour of a grape that was all but forgotten. We believe that the preservation of local varieties is important for the whole surrounding ecosystem. The Candia Hills have been clad in vineyards for at least 2000 years and plants and microorganisms have adapted to each other. We wish to disturb this balance as little as possible, which is why we never work the soil, we don't use any fertilizers and we don't even water the plants, despite our long, hot and dry summers. Podere Scurtarola is also actively collecting local grape varieties, transforming part of the vineyards to a living museum, currently housing over 50 different types of grapes. They are all being vinified in a micro scale, with no other scope than to describe their properties and forward knowledge. Maybe future generations will find new treasures here, and bring them out of obscurity and to our tables! 

Heroic vineyards These are heroic vineyards, vineyards characterized by slopes greater than 30%, made of impervious terraces, whose fruits will be expertly transformed into wines of the highest level. From architecture to wine Cantine Ramarro was founded in 2015 from the passion of Andrea Tarabella, architect, sailor and wine lover, who has chosen wine production as his main activity. His goal is to create an excellent product that reflects the characteristics of the native vines, the territory, the influences of the sea on one side and the Apuan Alps on the other. Natural wines The ancient vineyards, located on slopes greater than 30% are gradually recovered and put back into production. The plants, sometimes almost a century old, are recovered and put back into production, in complete respect of the territory, its native vines and their characteristics. The Cantine Ramarro vineyards are all classified as heroic vineyards and are cultivated by hand, with a biodynamic approach to obtain a product that is always respectful of nature. Cantine Ramarro was born out of love, love for a harsh but fascinating territory, with all the strengths and weaknesses that only the brutal whiteness of the marble of the Apuan Alps and the mistral of the Tyrrhenian Sea can bring with them. A territory to be respected, because only in this way can its products give their best. Controlled grassing and no weedkillers Cantine Ramarro does not use weedkillers, grassing is kept under control with never excessive cuts so that the vines can also take advantage of the presence of the herbs and insects that make their home there. Treatments against the most dangerous vine diseases are reduced to a minimum, the land is constantly monitored and fertilization is carried out only if necessary, the vine is a plant accustomed to seeking nutrients on its own even at incredible distances. For seasonal pruning, on which the health of the plants largely depends, we use techniques that are refined every year thanks to our knowledge of the soil and the vigor of every corner of the vineyard. We do not use herbicides and chemicals that could become a source of environmental pollution Work in the cellar Finally, the work in the cellar has seen Cantine Ramarro once again make choices towards tradition, with the use of old concrete barrels that have been recovered and brought back to life. New life for the concrete barrels of Cantine Ramarro The wines are treated with precise awareness and continuous attention to reduce interventions with sulphites to a minimum, minimal oxygenation for the whites and temperatures that are always controlled. A reduced number of rackings to let the yeasts work and continuous control of the product to accompany it until bottling. Cantine Ramarro works to support the main characteristics of the wine until they are brought to the bottle. Its alcohol content is its own, its aromas are its own, its body is its own. For this reason, Cantine Ramarro wines are not standardized: the wine of one vintage will never be identical to that of the previous vintage and will bring with it the aromas and flavors that are its own and that derive from all the elements that have contributed to making it such. Awards and recognitions A demanding job, undoubtedly, but full of satisfaction: the Vermentino DOC and the Rossi DOC of Cantine Ramarro are recognized among the excellences of Tuscany and have received awards and recognitions at national and international level.