"Angelo Gaja makes the most exciting wines in Italy. He has few equals in terms of his sheer determination and dedication to great winemaking" - James Suckling

The Gaja Winery, located in the heart of Barbaresco in Italy's Piedmont region, is one of the most iconic and influential wine producers. Known for its pioneering spirit and commitment to quality, Gaja has elevated Italian wine to the global stage, earning a reputation as a leader in innovation while preserving a deep respect for tradition.

The Gaja family has been involved in winemaking since 1859 when Giovanni Gaja established the winery. However, it was Angelo Gaja, the fourth generation of the family, who transformed the winery into a global symbol of excellence. Angelo, who took the reins in the 1960s, introduced bold innovations, including single-vineyard bottlings and the use of barriques (small oak barrels). These decisions helped redefine the perception of Italian wines internationally. Angelo Gaja is a man in a hurry. He walks quickly, speaks quickly. Neighbors remember him in 1961, at age 21, driving tractors on Barbaresco's country roads like they were sports cars. But Gaja feels he had no choice but to move rapidly; when he began working at his family's winery that year, he saw that Italy had fallen behind.

Angelo's vision included replanting vineyards to increase vine density, introducing international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, and implementing modern viticultural and winemaking techniques. Today, his daughters Gaia and Rossana Gaja, the fifth generation, play vital roles in the winery’s operations, ensuring its legacy continues to thrive. We are continually seeking exceptional vintages of Gaja wines to expand our collection. Our current selection features standout years including 1964, 1967, 1971, 1990, 1996, 1999, 2008, 2010, 2016, and 2019. Be sure to watch for our rare releases - these treasures are not to be missed!

Up the rustic gravel lane, through the doors of a sleepy Mediterranean manor covered with ivy, in the cool cellar lies the huge Slavonian oak casks that Biondi Santi have been using to age its legendary reds since 1888. Biondi-Santi is one of the most iconic names in Italian winemaking, particularly known for its pioneering role in the creation and development of Brunello di Montalcino. The winery’s history dates back to when Clemente Santi, an agronomist and winemaker, first produced a wine from the Sangiovese Grosso grape (locally known as Brunello), which would become the hallmark of the region. His wine, crafted in the small town of Montalcino in Tuscany, was distinct for its elegance, complexity, and ageability, setting the stage for what would later become one of Italy's most celebrated wines.

In 1896, Clemente Santi, the founder of the winery, won two silver medals with his Sangiovese in an agricultural fair at Montepulciano. This was the first official documentation that the hillside town of Montalcino could produce formidable red wine. Clemente’s daughter married a doctor named Jacopo Biondi, joining the names of two families. This union gave birth to the name we all know today and a lasting aspiration for making great wines through scientific endeavours.

In 1969, Italy’s president Giuseppe Saragat served Biondi Santi Brunello Riserva 1955 to Queen Elizabeth II at the Italian Embassy in London. The queen liked it. And the rest is history. Biondi Santi’s international fame sparked a planting frenzy in Montalcino. By 1971, the total area under Sangiovese increased over 200% compared to what it was two years prior. Having a grandfather who invented the Brunello and a father who introduced it to the market seriously makes a man feel obliged.

Tancredi's son Franco Biondi Santi became gatekeeper of Biondi-Santi in 1970, and his mission was to keep the traditions, create wines for the future and fight for the authenticity and integrity of Brunello di Montalcino. Under Franco's leadership of Biondi-Santi, there were several events that further sharpened the focus on the house. In 1988, for example, he served a bottle of 1888 Brunello Biondi-Santi Riserva to Italian President Francesco Cossiga, which naturally attracted attention. Furthermore, in 1994, Franco organised a much-publicised press tasting of Brunello Riserva from 1888 to 1988 to mark Brunello's 100th anniversary and this showcased how well the wines age. At The World of Wine, we hold Biondi-Santi close to our hearts, making it one of our favorite Italian wines. Our collection proudly includes a range of his exceptional creations, including the 2012 Riserva—the final vintage crafted under Franco's expert hand.

“Hypnotic, life-changing wines, which, at their best … had no equal.” - Antonio Galloni

"It isn't easy to keep up with Giuseppe Quintarelli, as this legendary producer releases his wines when he feels they are ready, not a moment sooner. As is often the case, these are some of the most mind-blowing wines being made anywhere"- Robert Parker

The winery was established in 1924 in Negrar, a town in Valpolicella, near Verona. It remained a family-owned estate, and Giuseppe Quintarelli, born in 1927, took over its operations in the mid-1950s. It is impossible to speak about Quintarelli without superlatives. The name itself stands for so much: the family, the wines, a style, a tradition, a way of doing things. After all the time, effort, patience, and care that go into the making of a bottle of Quintarelli, it truly does mean so much more than wine. Giuseppe, fondly known as “Bepi” to those closest to him, was a perfectionist in every way. From the beautiful handwritten labels, to the best possible quality cork, to the exquisite wine in the bottles, the Quintarelli name is a stamp of authenticity and the ultimate indication of an artisanal, handmade, uncompromising wine of the highest quality.

Nothing is ever hurried at Quintarelli. The wines take their time and are given the time they need. In the still, quiet calm of the family cellars above the town of Negrar, along the winding via del Cerè, deep in the Valpolicella zone, the wine from the family’s hillside vineyards ages patiently and gracefully in large casks until it is ready. Every release is a masterpiece, a testament to time, tradition, skill, and passion, the creations of a master artisan. You can’t really compare these wines to any other in the region, or anywhere else in the world. They really are in a class and a category all their own. A bottle of Quintarelli never disappoints!

In March 2023, Antinori earned the greatest achievement ranking as The World's Most Admired Wine Brands.

Antinori Winery is one of the most prestigious and historically significant wine producers in Italy, with a winemaking tradition that dates back over 600 years. The Antinori family has been involved in winemaking since 1385.

With over 26 generations of experience, the current head of the family is Marchese Piero Antinori, who led the company for decades, and now his daughters, Albiera, Allegra, and Alessia, play key roles in the company’s operations. While the Antinori family respects its long-standing traditions, they are also known for innovation.

In the 1970s, Antinori helped revolutionize the Italian wine industry by introducing "Super Tuscans." These are wines made from non-traditional grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, often blended with the local Sangiovese grape. One of their most famous wines, Tignanello (released in 1971).

Solaia the estates flagship wine was created in 1978, containing 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cab Franc - later Sangiovese was introduced to the Solaia blend. In 2000, the 1997 Solaia was named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator, making headlines across the wine world.

"Giovanni Conterno was one of the icons of his generation" - Antonio Galloni

The producer Giacomo Conterno is responsible for the first and most important icon wine of Barolo, the Monfortino Riserva. While the story of this producers rise to superstardom is entwined with the rise of Barolo itself, the early years are less well documented.

The first bottled release of their Barolo is uncertain, with some reports of it being from the 1912 vintage and others the 1920 vintage. What is certain however is that Conterno was a trailblazing pioneer for the region as prior to the 1920’s all Barolo wines were sold in cask and destined for early consumption - a vast difference to how we view the wines today.

The following 3 decades saw an establishment of the name and house style, with Giacomo’s son Giovanni beginning chief winemaking duties in 1959 and the estate passing fully into the hands of Giovanni & Aldo, Giacomo’s other son, in 1961. The next few years saw 3 all time great vintages in 1961, 1964 & 1967 but in 1969 the brothers parted ways as their conflicting views on winemaking became untenable. Giovanni’s style was created in the mold of his father, a strict adherence to traditional techniques that formed the backbone of the estate - this was diametrically opposed to Aldo that wanted to pursue a modernist approach.

Now with sole control Giovanni could continue to make the wines true to his singular vision and in 1974 made a move to consolidate the estates future by purchasing Cascina Francia in Serralunga, Giovanni was joined by his son Roberto in 1988, where the father-son duo worked closely for the next 16 years until Giovanni’s death in 2004.

The estate’s reputation has been built on the back of two wines. The Monfortino Riserva and the Estate Barolo. These wines are not produced every year, with the Monfortino Riserva only produced in exceptional vintages.

Despite all of the new projects, the crown jewel remains the Monfortino Barolo Riserva - the wine that began the new age of Barolo and is arguably the most important wine produced in Piedmont to this day.

With the world increasingly enchanted by the magic of classical Barolo, the Giuseppe Mascarello estate’s Barolo Monprivato has emerged as one of the region’s crown jewels. Such acclaim is long overdue for a winemaker whose track record dates back more than six decades. But it was also inevitable: now that Giovanni Conterno, Bartolo Mascarello, and Beppe Rinaldi are gone, he is the last of his generation of great, classically inspired Barolo winemakers. The Mascarello family’s winemaking journey began in 1881, when Giuseppe Mascarello acquired a plot in the Monforte d’Alba area. A few decades later, the family moved its operations to Castiglione Falletto and eventually settled in Monchiero. Over generations, the estate grew in stature under the careful stewardship of Giuseppe’s descendants.

In 1921, Giuseppe’s son Maurizio Mascarello purchased the now-famous Monprivato vineyard, a site that would become the cornerstone of the family’s legacy. Since its first vintage in 1970, Mauro’s Barolo Monprivato has been one of the Langhe’s most consistently magical wines. The secret to its greatness can be found not only in Mauro’s winemaking but in a very special terroir. Approximately 15 acres in size on a southwest-facing slope in Castiglione Falletto, Monprivato’s white and gray marl soils offer textbook conditions for Nebbiolo.

It took a few years for our team to discover this special Barolo and now it has changed our perspective on what can be achieved from this region rich with history. Giuseppe Mascarello Monprivato is the most ethereal and refined Barolo we have come across, this wine doesn't just sit on the spectrum of elegance; it redefines it. Often hailed as the "Grand Cru Burgundy of Barolo", it's a style so enchanting and addictive. Here at The World of Wine, we strive to keep holdings in our collection within reach, but it's no small task. Supplies are limited, so consider yourself fortunate if you can snag a bottle.

"Perhaps the greatest compliment I could confer on Bruno Giacosa is that there are no wines in the world I buy without tasting first, except for those of one producer - the Professor of Nebbiolo" - Robert Parker

Regarded as one of the greatest winemakers in the world, Bruno Giacosa represents the third generation of his family to produce wine at their estate, founded in 1871. Leaving school at the age of 15 during the First World War, he dedicated his life to perfecting his craft. Initially, Giacosa sourced grapes exclusively from select vineyards, and by the 1960s, he was recognized as one of the top three most significant wine producers in Barbaresco. While many producers focus solely on either Barbaresco or Barolo, Giacosa has consistently crafted exceptional wines from both regions for nearly half a century.

Piedmont Langhe region is famed for the great winemakers it has produced over the past century. Yet, few can rival Bruno Giacosa who is regarded as one of the legends of the industry, Bruno Giacosa represents the third generation of his family to produce wine at their estate, founded in 1871.

Leaving school at the age of 15 during the First World War, he dedicated his life to perfecting his craft. While many producers focus solely on either Barbaresco or Barolo, Giacosa has consistently made exceptional wines from both regions for nearly half a century.

For many, the red label Riserva Barolos and Barbaresco made by Giacosa are equal of any wine made in the world. He made them only a few times a decade, they are not only fantastically complex, rich, powerful wines capable of decades of development, they also endowed with that rare and magical sense of extra dimension found only in the greatest wines.

Bruno Giacosa standards were so high, over the decades, he deemed relatively few wines worthy of wearing the famed red label. As a consequence, his more typical white label releases often offer such soaring quality that we find ourselves asking why there weren't given red labels.

If you can find the wines, we encourage you to add them to your collection.

"To say Sandrone was a titan of Barolo is a massive understatement. Sandrone defined an entire generation of Barolo growers" - Antonio Galloni

Today, Luciano Sandrone is one of Barolo’s most admired names, a fact made all the more remarkable given his Estate’s humble beginnings. As Kerin O’Keefe writes in Barolo and Barbaresco, Sandrone is one of “the few producers who does not hail from generations of growers and winemakers.” Sandrone’s father was a carpenter, but instead of following in his father’s footsteps, Luciano chose a life in wine, first at Giacomo Borgogno and then at Marchesi de Barolo, where he rose to become cellar master, a role he would hold until 1990.

In 1978 Sandrone achieved his ambition, buying a small plot in the then little-known Barolo Cru of Cannubi Boschis. Made in his parent’s garage overlooking the Cannubi hill, Sandrone tentatively took his inaugural Barolo to Vinitay in 1981, where he sold every one of the 1500 bottles to an American broker. It quickly became one of Piemonte’s first cult wines, first with the 1982 and 1985 vintages, and by the time the 1990 Cannubi received a perfect score from Robert Parker, the dye was cast.

Since the early ’90s, Luciano has worked alongside his children Luca and Barbara and, increasingly, his grandchildren Alessia and Stefano. Driven by the family’s clarity of vision, the Estate has since expanded to over 27 hectares. One of the things least discussed about this celebrated producer and Barolo, in general, is the quality of their work in the vineyards. Sandrone is genuinely one of the regional leaders in this area. Firstly, they are organic in a region where organic practice is still infrequent. Secondly, Luca Sandrone is a perfectionist (like his sister Barbera) and is completely obsessed with the vines he manages. His focus is very much on making the vines stronger, healthier and more resilient rather than the symptomatic approach that is so typical. A great deal of the vineyard work is done by hand, with the Estate employing twelve full-time workers in the vines alon

Antonio Galloni states “No one has done a better job of bridging the traditional and modern style than Sandrone, especially in recent years. The Sandrone Barolos are made in a style that emphasizes fruit and intensity. In that sense, they are the equivalents to growers such as Claude Dugat or Leroy in Burgundy.”

Our recent rendezvous with the Aleste and Le Vigne 2019s had us at The World of Wine swooning. Quite frankly, they stole the show as some of the most impressive wines of the vintage!

"Modern legend in Tuscan wineamking, a First Growth if Italy had a similar classification" - James Suckling

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, a member of the prestigious Antinori family, known for their long history in winemaking. Lodovico's vision was to create a wine that could rival his cousin Nicolò Incisa's Sassicaia, the original Super Tuscan. The estate was later acquired by the Frescobaldi family in 2005, who have continued to uphold the tradition of excellence and innovation. Located in the picturesque Bolgheri region on the Tuscan Coast, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. This area, part of the Northern Maremma between Livorno and the island of Elba, is known for its stunning Mediterranean charm and unique terroir1. The vineyards extend over two adjacent areas separated by Bolgheri's famed Cypress Avenue.

Ornellaia, the estate's flagship wine, was first produced in 1985. It is a Bordeaux-style blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The wine quickly gained a reputation for its rich, elegant, and complex flavors, becoming one of Italy's most famous and expensive wines. In 1986, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia introduced Masseto, a 100% Merlot wine that has also become an icon. Masseto is known for its velvety texture and the Italian equivelant of Petrus, a wine that should be included in the same conversations as the great Bordeaux Right Bank Merlots.

The exceptional Super Tuscan wines from Tenuta dell'Ornellaia are among the most sought-after wines in Italy. We are thrilled to announce that The World of Wine will have an allocation available through the global Place de Bordeaux releases.

"In 30 years of wine reporting, I've never come across a story quiet like this" - Andrew Jefford

Tucked away in the Illasi Valley on the eastern edge of Valpolicella, the Dal Forno estate has become a benchmark for Italian winemaking excellence. Founded in 1983 by Romano Dal Forno - born into a family of grape growers but inspired to do more - the winery reflects a relentless pursuit of quality and innovation.

Romano’s turning point came after meeting the legendary Giuseppe Quintarelli, who mentored him in the art of crafting profound, age-worthy wines. While early vintages echoed Quintarelli’s style, today Dal Forno wines stand proudly on their own - often considered his equal.

The estate's crown jewels, Amarone della Valpolicella "Monte Lodoletta" and Valpolicella Superiore "Monte Lodoletta", are made in tiny quantities using painstaking methods. Grapes are dried to intensify flavor, and yields are famously low—it takes around seven vines to make a single bottle of Valpolicella, and ten for Amarone. From just 8 hectares, no more than 1,500 cases emerge each year.

Now joined by his sons, Luca, Michele, and Marco, Romano continues to craft wines of immense power, depth, and rarity—treasures fiercely sought by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.