On Monday, February 24, we welcome Michael Schmelzer, enologist and viticulturist for Monte Bernardi for a masterclass featuring their biodynamically farmed Chianti Classico wines. Though Monte Bernardi's first commercial estate-bottled wines were produced in 1992, the estate's history dates back to the eleventh century.
In 2003, the Schmelzer family acquired the property, dedicating themselves to revitalizing the vineyards, winery, and villa, shaping Monte Bernardi into the renowned estate it is today. They were joined in 2017 by Sara and Henry Bedford, and acquired the Sala farm in Panzano. Today, Monte Bernardi spans over 70 hectares, including 22 hectares of organically farmed vineyards.
Michael Schmelzer, the estate’s viticulturist and oenologist, relocated to Panzano in 2003, bringing expertise from his winemaking studies in Australia.
The estate follows organic and biodynamic farming principles, respecting the land and embracing time-honored viticultural practices. Since 2004, the vineyards have been farmed without synthetic inputs, and the wines are crafted without modern additives, fining, or filtration.
Seating is very limited for this exclusive seminar. The cost of this seminar is $30 and a $20 credit at the store will be extended to each guest for a future purchase. We hope you can join us on Monday, February 24 at 6pm on the mezzanine for this very special event.
Nozay, like any producer this focused on terroir, is fanatical about their farming (organic and biodynamic) and hands off in the winery (they ferment with native yeasts and without additives). They even experiment with terracotta vessels to try to find the best way to let the wines evolve fully into themselves.
Pierre Péters is one of Champagne’s most recognizable names, and one of its most famous Growers (Check out our handy guide to Grower Champagne). The estate is named after current proprietor Rodolphe Péters’ grandfather, and the family has been working vines in the Côte des Blancs’ best terroirs for nearly two centuries.
At its best, Chablis is about the most nakedly terroir-focused wine in France. And yet, mysteriously, it has remained the last reasonably-priced home of 1er and Grand Cru Burgundy. True, we’ve seen more and more of Chablis’ biggest names rise in price, but there are still great deals to be found — none of them more shocking than Dampt Frères' lineup of Grand Crus.
