Wineries

CREMISAN
BETHLEHEM, ISRAEL

Cremisan was founded in 1885 by the Italian missionary priest Antonio Belloni to guarantee work opportunities for the poor people in the area. Now days it is still run by the Salesian of the Monastery, and lies on the northern slope of Mount El Ras, beside Beit Jala, the biblical Gilo (Joshua 15:51). It is a beautiful and serene area, only 5 km away from Bethlehem and 12 km from Jerusalem. According to the most reliable etymological interpretation, the actual name Cremisan comes from Kerem Zan-Vineyard of the Zan grapes- and refers to a variety of autochthonous origins. The name already reflects the typical agricultural vocation of the area, which has been devoted over centuries to vineyards, as well as the growing of olive and fruit trees.
Cremisan Winery was the first winery to produce wines from local Palestinian grapes, which was an eye-opener to many Palestinian and Israeli wineries to the potential of these local table grapes.
It all began with the thesis of Fadi Batarseh (Trento and Udine University) in collaboration with Hebron University and the genetic center at San Michele All’Adge.
Testing over 64 different samples from all around the West Bank to establish the number of different genotypes that exist in Palestine. The results where astonishing, only 21 different genotypes were identified and documented in an international publication with the name Molecular Identification and Genetic Relationships of Palestinian Grapevine Cultivars!
After several micro-vinification, the winery decided to use only 4 varieties to make their special local wines. Dabouki, Hamdani and Jandali were the 3 whites chosen and the only red grape variety was the Baladi.

ASHKARA
GALILEE, ISRAEL

Ashkar family hails from Iqrit, a small village in the Upper Galilee where the remains of ancient wine presses testify to a vinous history that dates back thousands of years. There, the family produced wine from generation to generation until the seizure of its territory in 1948. Iqrit, the painting of which appears on all Ashkar labels, was a Palestinian Christian village, located 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of Acre. It was seized and depopulated by the Israeli military during the war and their territory later became part of the new state of Israel.
Ashkar family is now based in Kufur Yasif, where the winery was re-established in 2010 by Nemi Ashkar, who had been dreaming of building a winery since he was working in the United States in the late 90’s. He is from the second generation of the displaced community of Iqrit village. “When I saw more and more vineyards being planted around Iqrit, I felt as if I was pierced by iron nails” he said. “I believed that if I were to make wine, it must come from its marvelous vineyards. I knew I could bring in grapes from many other places, but I found no salvation in doing so. Indeed, I believed that salvation is to be found in wholesome work in a beloved land; and Iqrit is my beloved land, precisely because it is my homeland. Everywhere else I feel an exile, but in Iqrit I always feel at home. Ashkar Winery is only another step in my struggle for fulfillment. My object in life is to have a publicly recognized and legally secured way of returning to Iqrit and there re-build the winery.” This struggle for return is reflected in the wine’s flavor characteristics, all of which are influenced by the vast spaces of Iqrit.

CHÂTEAU PAUQUÉ
GREVENMACHER, LUXEMBOURG

Nestled in Luxembourg’s Moselle wine region, Château Pauqué embodies viticultural excellence. Located in Grevenmacher, it combines tradition and innovation to create wines reflecting the unique terroir.
Grevenmacher: A wine enthusiast’s haven, this town boasts a storied wine legacy and stunning views of Moselle River’s vine-covered curves, making Château Pauqué historically charming.
Abu Duhr: The Artisan Winemaker
Château Pauqué’s essence resides in winemaker Abu Duhr. His strong bond with the land, vast viticultural knowledge, and passion place him at the forefront of winemaking.
Abu Duhr is both winemaker and storyteller, each Château Pauqué bottle narrates soil, climate, and seasons with his finesse. From vineyard to cellar, his meticulous care ensures an authentic representation of origin.
Wine Portfolio: Château Pauqué’s range mirrors Grevenmacher’s terroir diversity. Crisp whites to structured reds, each wine showcases precision and artistry. It marries Moselle’s traditional grapes with Abu Duhr’s innovative approach.

CELLER MODERNISTA
EL PINEL DE BRAI, CATALONIA

The Modernista Celler was created by the brothers Joaquim and Fran López, both raised in the hospitality and catering industry, and working with the oenologist José Valiente and the winemaker Josep Vicens, developing their wines on grapes farms located in Gandesa and Pinell de Brai. The majority of those vineyards are old and the red variety are Grenache and Carignan.
The most important fact is in the white variety, that is the white Grenache, inasmuch the 35% of the global production of this grape is in the DO Terra Alta. The varieties described have been growing in the territory integrating themselves to the weather and field we have. That allow us to make our wines with Mediterranean personality.

CELLER PORTES OBERTES
EL PINEL DE BRAI, CATALONIA

Nestled in the scenic expanse of Pinel de Brai in Catalonia, Spain, Portes Obertes Winery is a testament to the region’s rich wine-making history. With meticulous attention to detail, Portes Obertes prides itself on handcrafted wines that speak of the land, tradition, and innovation.
All the wines at Portes Obertes are worked by hand, ensuring the utmost care in every bottle. The winemaking processes involve skidding with an iron grating, gravity transfer, and gravity bottling. Our commitment is to preserve the traditional methods while embracing modern techniques.
All our red wines, excluding Brutal, are from the same plot but undergo different elaborate processes, showcasing the versatility and uniqueness of the Garnacha grape.
Portes Obertes Winery is more than just a place where wine is made. It’s where traditions meet innovations, and where each bottle tells a story of the land, the hands that crafted it, and the legacy of Pinel de Brai’s winemaking.

MAS DE LES VINYES
TARRAGONA, CATALONIA

ENOTOURISM IN PRIORAT – MAS DE LES VINYES WINERY Mas de les Vinyes, founded in 1999, is a family winery with deep roots in vineyard cultivation. Offering an intimate glimpse into a small winery embracing modern techniques for top-tier wine quality.
Montsant DO Wines: Quality, Terroir Connection
In a decade, Montsant DO wineries tackled the challenge of standing out in a competitive wine market. With 1,900 hectares and 5 million bottles produced, Montsant emphasizes native grapes like Garnatxa and Carinyena, blending with Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot for outstanding wines.
Vineyard-Winery Balance
Credit goes to wineries and experts for Montsant DO wines, a fusion of tradition and modern know-how. These artisanal products harmonize human involvement, striking a balance between vineyards and wineries. Farmers nurture vines, providing top grapes for globally cherished wines.

MONTISCI
MAMOIADA, SARDEGNA

With a mere two hectares of vines and a radically artisanal approach to his craft, Giovanni Montisci has established himself as one of Mamoiada’s foremost ambassadors. Unsatisfied in his job as a mechanic, he turned his full attention to cultivating tiny vineyard plots inherited from his wife’s family, ultimately bottling his first wine from the 2004 vintage. He has since earned a cult-like following for his powerful and distinctive Cannonaus from organically farmed old vines grown up to 650 meters elevation. The chilly nights here allow for slow and steady ripening, preserving precious acidity and favoring rich, complex wines perfumed of wild fruit, flowers, Mediterranean herbs, and spices—a truly compelling translation of this extreme terroir, which shines alongside the hearty local cuisine of Sardegna’s mountains.
Giovanni’s wines are the product of his painstaking attention to detail, from the meticulous work among his ancient alberello-trained vines to the gorgeous Quintarelli- inspired labels adorning each bottle. All of his wines, including the fleshy dry Moscato and deep, vinous Cannonau rosato, are fermented spontaneously, aged in neutral wood, and bottled unfined and unfiltered with minimal SO2. “Barrosu”, his flagship Cannonau, perfectly embodies the rugged beauty of these mountainous highlands, while the Riserva “Franzisca”, from 85-year-old vines, displays astonishing finesse for such a potent, structured red—proof that Sardegna is capable of much, much more than the simple quaffer.

TENUTA MONTE GORNA
MONTE GORNA, SICILIA

Tenuta Monte Gorna is a family business dominated by a pure passion for the land and for wine, a passion that has been handed down from father to son for three generations. The second generation is responsible for restructuring the estate’s land, which has been entirely replanted with vines.
To the third generation comes the task of making Tenuta Monte Gorna’s volcanic wines known to the Italian and foreign public, with participation in Vinitaly 2012 and the event dedicated to Sicilian winegrowers ‘under 30’ organised by Cronache di Gusto in collaboration with the Istituto Regionale Vini ed Oli di Sicilia, as part of the Verona event.

EMILIANO FALSINI
RANDAZZO, SICILIA

Emiliano Falsini, a passionate winemaker, embarked on a personal project in 2018-2019, focusing on two beloved territories: Bolgheri in Tuscany and Etna in Sicily’s north. He acquired vineyards and land, commencing with the 2019 vintage under his own label.
In 2018, he purchased his inaugural vineyards on Etna’s northern slope, specifically in Contrada Feudo Pignatone, Randazzo. In Bolgheri, he secured land in Le Sondraie, Castagneto Carducci, and began cultivating Cabernet Franc. Emiliano’s inaugural harvest in 2019 yielded his first Bolgheri and Etna vintages. Currently, his 2021 vintages are available, including limited quantities of Cru Etna Davanti Casa 2021 and Cabernet Franc Limite 2021.
On Etna’s northern slope in Randazzo, Emiliano cultivates 3 hectares of Nerello Mascalese. A hectare boasts 30-year-old vines, while 2 hectares showcase centenary plants. All Etna wines bear the Contrada name, Feudo Pignatone. No external grapes are used; only grapes from the Feudo Pignatone district are employed. Presently, three wines are produced. Emiliano’s vinification process for red wines involves 30% whole bunches in open containers, with gentle punch-downs. This technique aims to craft Etna wines with an elegant, ethereal character, centered around the distinct fruitiness of Nerello.
Regarding reviews, Emiliano maintains a deliberate approach. His wines are occasionally tasted by Wine Advocate and Decanter. Notably, his debut vintage, the 2019 Limite, earned 95 points from Wine Advocate and 96 from Decanter. The Etna Rosso Davanti Casa 2019 received a 94+ score from Wine Advocate.

MAUGERI
MILO, SICILIA

Eastern Sicily: 83 terraces stretched out between Contrada Praino and Contrada Volpare, in the forest trails of Milo, 700 m above sea level on the eastern slope of Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano.
Maugeri is the winemaking project of an Etnean family returning to make wine in its places of origin. The line of continuity of more than 2.8 km of dry lava stone walls marks the 7 hectares of the property, an amphitheater of fertile volcanic soils immersed in a profound dialogue with the Mediterranean.