Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino began their heritage in wine in 1877 along a beautiful perch overlooking Tuscany. This medium-bodied style has a hint of kitchen spice making it ideal with an array of savory foods...and of course pasta!

Grape • Sangiovese
Place • Tuscany, Italy
FYI • Some white wine is allowed to blend into Chianti.

Nestled along the Breede River at the tip of South Africa comes this immediately approachable cab with notes of blueberry and plum. Super versatile along a campfire roasting sausages or at weekend barbecue with hamburgers on the grill.

Grape • Cabernet Sauvignon
Place • Western Cape, South Africa
FYI • Excelsior means "ever upward" in Latin.

Chile is an important wine producer most often associated with it's red wines. This lightly oaked showing from Santa Luz has wonderful notes of tropical fruits that make it a perfect pairing with grilled Mahi Mahi and pineapple.

Grape • Chardonnay
Place • Central Valley, Chile
FYI • The winery is about an hour from Santiago.

Located at nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, this carbonate rich regions grapes are heavily influenced by the altitude. A mix of French and American oak helps achieve the velvety mouthfeel with notes of dark cherry and vanilla. Pair with beef fajitas.

Grape • Tempranillo
Place • Ribera del Duero, Spain
FYI • This region has produced wine for over 2,000 years.

Maysara winery is nestled in the foothills of the McMinnville AVA, in Oregon's Willamette Valley. The Momtazi family is dedicated to biodynamic farming practices and is Demeter certified. A fuller style with notes of pineapple, cantaloupe, and honeysuckle. Pairs well with herbed fish.

Grape • Pinot Blanc
Place • Willamette Valley, Oregon
FYI • Autees is the ancient Persian Goddess, protector of life.

Cazas Novas is run by a three-man team at the family estate of Carlos Coutinho. As the last outpost before entering red wine country, the vineyards are planted with Avesso, an obscure late ripening but vigorous varietal that adds creaminess and minerality. Pairs well with seafood.

Grape • Avesso
Place • Vinho Verde, Portugal
FYI • A much more full-bodied VV style because of its location.

This pristine pinot is from the impeccable Mosel house of Gunther Steinmetz who seeks a vrey Burgudian style. Less is more in their book so they use indigenous yeast, and the wine is unfined and unfiltered. Ripe gorgeous red fruit, this is wonderful drinking all on its own.

Grape • Pinot Noir
Place • Mosel
FYI • Fourth generation currently runs the winery.

"Founded in 1995 by three siblings, Brown Estate produced its first Napa Valley zinfandel in 1996 after the family had been farming grapes and selling them to established winemakers. It is the first and only Black-owned estate in Napa Valley." Rich and luscious with notes of black pepper. Pair with steak.

Grape • Zinfandel
Place • Napa Valley, California
FYI • This grape is also known as primitivo.

Their next door neighbor, Sassicaia, is more famous but along with Grattamacco they put Bolgheri and the category of Super Tuscans on the map. This remarkable example of Vermentino is full of minerality and a pronounced salinity. Pairs very well with fish or try with a fava bean salad.

Grape • Vermentino
Place • Tuscany, Italy
FYI • This winery was founded in 1977.