Il Monticello dei Fratelli Neri 'Groppolo' Vermentino Colli di Luni DOC 2023

In 1980, Pier Luigi Neri was blessed with an inheritance; a 19th-century farm in Sarzana, Liguria, one of the smallest regions in Italy overlooking the Ligurian Sea. To the west lay France, to the north Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany directly east. And yet, nestled here, a tiny piece of paradise, Il Monticello of Colli di Luni. Alessandro and Davide Neri, the sons of Pier, have backgrounds in engineering and agronomy, and are now the custodians of vermentino, sangiovese, canaiolo, and ciliegiolo vines planted over 40 years ago which they began cultivating biodynamically in 1994. With over 14 hectares of vines, the winery has become a quiet powerhouse, producing over 100,000 bottles a year from a region typically overshadowed by its neighbors. This 100% vermentino hails from a site sitting 100-120 meters above sea level situated on silty, sandy, clay. The Mediterranean microclimate allows for steady temperatures, producing beautifully evenly ripened grapes. Ripe citrus and pear burst out of the glass accompanied by white lily and a sprig of fresh thyme and a few mint leaves. Fresh, fruitful, with just a touch of sea-salt, it’s almost vermouth-like on the palate, acting as the quintessential aperitivo. Drink now or forever hold your peace. Organically grown, biodynamically grown, sustainably grown, low-intervention/natural wine.