CAL-ITAL: ITALIAN SOUL, CALIFORNIA SUN - Ancora Vino SJ

There’s a quiet (and now not-so-quiet) movement happening in California right now—producers planting Italian grape varieties and actually letting them behave like… Italian grape varieties. Less makeup, more honesty. More acidity, more nuance, more wines that make you want another sip instead of knocking you over the head.

We’re featuring a lineup from Broc Cellars, Idlewild Wines, and Comunità—all producers who are leaning hard into this idea and absolutely nailing it. Think Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Vermentino… but grown in California sunshine, with a freshness and energy that feels like a whole new chapter.

If your reference point for California is still Chardonnay, Pinot, Cabernet… this is where things start to get a lot more interesting.

These wines have lift. They have personality. And most importantly—they belong at the table.