A new generation of women is making its mark in the world of wine, conquering it with expertise, passion and vision. Young female oenologists, producers and entrepreneurs are redefining the way wine is understood and described, becoming the spokeswomen for a new grammar of taste. A vision of the future, deep roots in the territory, innovation and awareness are reflected in every label produced by these young women, who are capable of transforming an ancient craft into a contemporary language, as demonstrated by the 12 wines we have selected for International Women's Day.
Castello di Uviglie, Albarossa 1491
In the heart of Monferrato, Castello di Uviglie proudly and responsibly preserves a winemaking tradition dating back over five centuries. A history that began in 1491, whose legacy has been taken up by the Bonzano family, committed to making Monferrato one of the most prestigious areas in Piedmont, safeguarding its native grape varieties and combining them with experimentation in excellence. Francesca Bonzano is also at the forefront of this project. Since 2020, she has been dedicated to developing the family business and promoting the native grape varieties of this area, such as the extremely rare Albarossa, a cross between Barbera and Nebbiolo di Dronero. Forgotten and then rediscovered, this grape variety produces long-lived, structured and intense wines that make every glass an experience, just like Albarossa 1941. A red wine with a deep, impenetrable ruby colour and a complex, profound bouquet, with notes of red and black fruit jam mingling with herbaceous and tobacco notes, black pepper, bitter cocoa and oak bark. Intense, spicy, with a dense and robust tannic texture, it reveals savoury flavours and hints of liquorice root on the palate, typical of the Monferrato terroir. A gastronomic red that is at its best with savoury first courses and soups, spiced red meats, roast game and mature cheeses.
L'Autin, Le Ramìe
Where the Piedmontese Alps rise majestically near the French border, Elisa Camusso leads Autin with a clear purpose, inspired by the example of her father and grandfather, carrying on their vision: to preserve native grape varieties and honour tradition. But she does so with her own unique perspective, exploring new expressions through international varieties while maintaining a deep connection to her land. A land that demands courage, where cultivating vines on the steep slopes of Monviso is an act of resilience. This is where Le Ramìe is born, an extreme and heroic red wine made from Avanà, Avarengo, Chatus, Becuet, Montanera di Perosa and Nebbiolo grapes from the Pomaretto vineyard. Fresh, welcoming and lively, it blends traditional grapes into a wine with a strong structure and a decisive soul. One of the few multi-varietal Alpine wines still produced today, it stands out for its hints of ripe red fruit, soft spices, fresh tannins and mountain clarity. Perfect with dishes such as raw meat à l'Albese, agnolotti with meat sauce, risotto with bagna cauda, mixed boiled meats, grilled red meats and mountain toma cheese.
La Valle, Naturalis Extra Brut Franciacorta M.C.
"Two daughters who cherish their father's passion and together continue his dream, which has now become theirs, namely to produce quality wines": this is how sisters Francesca and Cristina Pezzola describe themselves. Together with their father Eugenio, they run the La Valle winery, founded in 1991 in Rodengo Saiano, in the heart of Franciacorta. A place where poetry and technique, past and future come together to create sparkling wines that leave their mark, such as Naturalis, an Extra Brut resulting from a meticulous selection and harmonious blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero. An elegant vintage, produced only in years of rare excellence, it stands out for its persistent, dense and very fine perlage, its intense bouquet with notes of fruit, peach, mango, honey and marked fragrances of yeast and pastry. On the palate, it is dry, fresh and savoury, very balanced and harmonious: to be enjoyed with raw fish, fried foods, sushi, seafood risottos and to accompany grilled vegetables and asparagus salads.
Cà Lojera, Lugana Riserva del Lupo
A dash of courage and madness, combined with passion and determination, led to the founding of Cà Lojera in 1989, one of the most authentic wineries in Lugana. Between Sirmione and the morainic hills of Ponti sul Mincio, Ambra and Franco Tiraboschi created a winery capable of evolving without losing touch with its history, looking to the future with the original spirit of dedication and curiosity: a legacy now taken up by their granddaughter Marta Aldini, who continues along the path traced by her grandparents, producing unique and elegant wines such as Lugana Riserva del Lupo. Made from 100% Turbiana grapes, this reserve is an intense and complex white wine with a fruity and herbaceous profile, ready to drink but also ideal for ageing. A Lugana that captivates with its aromas of citrus, honey and dried apricot, saffron and candied fruit, while on the palate it is soft, elegant and with a persistent minerality. Ideal with elegant dishes such as oysters and lobster, but also with oriental fish-based dishes.
Pravis, BelleAmour Rosé
It is not only blood ties but also a love of viticulture and oenology that unites Erika and Giulia Pedrini, the sisters behind Pravis, a Lasino-based winery they run together with their father Domenico. They share a vision of wine that spans the past, present and future: linked to their Trentino farming roots and combining the production of native varieties with a selection of international varieties, anticipating the future by being among the first in Italy to plant zero-impact PIWI varieties. This desire to experiment is also found in BelleAmour, a rosé made from Schiava Gentile grapes; easy to drink and cheerful, with a light pink colour and a fresh, deliberately tart aromatic liveliness. An easy-drinking vintage wine, best served chilled to fully appreciate its gentleness, either as an aperitif or paired with carpaccio and grilled fish, paella, pumpkin tortelli, pizza or creamed cod.
Fagarini, Müller Thurgau Masiere
‘Masiere was the first wine produced by the winery and was created to revolutionise the classic style of this type of wine: totally different from its classic counterparts and sometimes described as too unconventional but unique and distinctive, it is produced exclusively from Müller Thurgau grapes grown in vineyards with extremely gravelly soil, hence the name Masiere, meaning piles of stones resulting from the clearing of stones from the fields." This is how Tania Gozzer, a young winemaker at the helm of the Fagarini winery, describes her Müller Thurgau. On the family's 4.5 hectares, located on the gravelly alluvial fan of Novaledo, in Valsugana, Tania passionately produces unique wines with a delicate and surprising bouquet, just like Masiere. Harmonious and delicate, this white wine stands out for its acidity, which enhances its finesse and makes it excellent as an aperitif. Mineral and with a bouquet of aromas ranging from notes of acacia flowers to balsamic notes of rosemary and sage, Masiere is perfect to drink young but also to uncork after a few years to accompany seafood appetisers, raw fish and fresh cheeses."
Diletta Tonello, ioTeti
A sparkling wine that looks to the future in every way: dynamic, volcanic and welcoming, the Metodo Classico ioTeti sparkling wine reflects the exuberant character of winemaker Diletta Tonello, who runs the family winery in the heart of the Lessini Mountains. Diletta, former president of the Consorzio di Tutela Vini del Lessini Durello (Lessini Durello Wine Protection Consortium), has a bold and innovative vision. With care and dedication, she has successfully relaunched Durella, bringing it to its highest expression and producing unique and fascinating wines such as ioTeti. Young, fresh, elegant and mineral, this sparkling wine with a fine and persistent perlage and a creamy mousse releases aromas of toasted bread and citrus fruits on the nose, while the mineral taste leaves room for a pleasant sensation of cleanliness in the mouth. Excellent as an aperitif, perfect with shellfish, fish in general and in particular with Vicentina-style salt cod.
Provveditore, Vermentino Maremma Il Bargaglino
In Scansano, nestled in the green hills of the Maremma region in south-western Tuscany, the name Provveditore Bargagli is inscribed in the area's wine-making history and is synonymous with foresight and innovation. These are two traits that we also find in Cristina Bargagli, the fourth generation of the family that has been active since the early 20th century, continuing what has been done so far in a continuous balance between tradition and innovation. This combination represents the added value of Provveditore's production, which includes not only Morellino di Scansano but also exceptional whites such as Vermentino Maremma il Bargaglino. A blend of Vermentino, Trebbiano Toscano, Ansonica, Chardonnay and Sauvignon, this white wine opens on the nose with aromas of bergamot orange blossom, thyme, coconut and almond, while on the palate it is well-balanced, persistent and very mineral. To be uncorked as an aperitif and accompanied by shellfish, fruit, minestrone, spring risottos, tasty or grilled white meats, egg-based dishes, light cold cuts and grilled vegetables.
Cossignani L.E. Tempo, Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs M.C.
Letizia Cossignani, born in 1992, is the co-founder, together with her brother Edoardo, of the Marche-based winery Cossignani L.E. Tempo: a venture based on a project of identity and focused on the exclusive production of Classic Method sparkling wines in Val Menocchia. Here, in the heart of the Piceno area, Letizia and her brother have invested in native grape varieties and the stylistic imprint of the territory, translating them into a completely new guise that reflects the innovative drive of this Next Generation and the value attributed to time in the interpretation of their wines. The idea of sparkling local grapes such as Pecorino was inspired by the territory itself: the archaic nature of this grape variety finds, in fact, the ideal conditions in the Val Menocchia area to best express its lashing acidity and sapidity, which are found in the Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs. An organic Metodo Classico that caresses the palate with a soft mousse and a delicate but persistent perlage, and teases the nose with an important citrusy aromatic freshness dotted with delicate woody notes of melted butter. In the mouth, it is lively, fresh, dry and savoury: to be enjoyed with fish and white meat starters.
Argillae, Orvieto Superiore
"Orvieto Superiore represents my “mission impossible”, my challenge with the next generation of consumers, with the aim of restoring Orvieto to its status as a “modern”, “cool” wine, young in taste and style": says Giulia di Cosimo, winegrower and owner of Argillae, a winery in Allerona, located about 20 km north of Orvieto. To achieve her goal, Giulia has worked on a blend that combines two historic varieties, Procanico and Grechetto, with two international varieties, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The result is a fresh, aromatic wine with a low alcohol content, ideal for quick consumption by the glass, as an aperitif and paired with fish dishes, vegetable-based first courses and game. An elegant and pleasant wine without “frills”, as Di Cosimo describes it, with aromas of yellow flowers, hints of citrus and tropical fruits. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with mineral notes, supported by an interesting acidity and a refreshing finish.
Tenuta Santi Giacomo e Filippo, Bianco Marche Fogliola
Fourteen hectares of vineyards in the green heart of Montefeltro, in the countryside of Urbino, cultivated with passion, determination and resourcefulness by Marianna Bruscoli, a young and dynamic producer at the helm of Tenuta Santi Giacomo e Filippo. The third generation of the Bruscoli family, Marianna continues the work of her grandparents Antonio and Ercole: artisan craftsmanship, a constant eye on the future and an awareness of the value of the territory. The wines of the winery reflect the tradition of this area, such as Bianco Marche Fogliola, a young, ready-to-drink wine whose name derives from a milestone found on the estate with the inscription “Divis della fogliola 1806”. With an elegant straw yellow colour, Fogliola offers the nose hints of white, exotic and citrus flowers, with excellent intensity. On the palate, it is savoury, fresh and acidic in balance; an intelligent and pleasant wine, perfect for a glass with friends at aperitif time, as well as with lean fish dishes, white meats and fresh cheeses.
Petrelli, Petricore Salento Rosato
Excellent viticulture between two seas: in Carmiano, in the province of Lecce, Cantina Petrelli has been dedicated for three generations to cultivating its vineyards with almost filial love, producing native grapes and wines of the highest quality. Since 2020, the young oenologist Chiara Petrelli has been at the helm of the company, preserving the uniqueness, warmth and beauty of the generous Lecce area. Among the wines produced, the one that best represents and resembles Chiara is Petricore, a rosé made from Aleatico grapes, which catches the eye with its delicate pink hues and violet reflections, while the nose stands out for its aroma of fresh fruit, rose, citrus and vanilla. On the palate, it is fresh and fruity, with just the right amount of acidity to make it versatile in pairings: from raw fish to seafood, from orecchiette with turnip greens to bombetta salentina and aubergine parmigiana.
