Letter from Demeine Estates
DEAR VALUED PARTNERS AND FRIENDS,
We are thrilled to share our 2024 Portfolio Edition with you! Our global collection of winery partners is built on our key philosophies: family ownership, farming for the future, and quality winemaking. As we build our portfolio, we seek not only the best wines, but also the most desirable categories for wine lists across the country. Within this book, you’ll find a collection of producers that are benchmarks in their regions, ranging in size from boutique family wineries to legacy producers with a global presence.
Demeine Estates was founded in 2020 with the wineries of Napa Valley’s Lawrence Wine Estates: the historic Heitz Cellar, the classic Burgess, Spring Mountain’s Stony Hill, and the newly launched Ink Grade on Howell Mountain. These wineries remain the foundation of our company as we form relationships with partners across the globe.
Over the course of 2023, we launched incredible brands from the Napa Valley, France, and Italy, including the wineries of Italy’s Mazzei family, Piedmont’s Ca’ Rome’, Sancerre’s Roc de l’Abbaye, Burgundy’s La Chablisienne, and Coombsville’s Haynes Vineyard. In 2024, we will partner with the iconic premium Prosecco, Villa Sandi, as well as Tuscany’s Boscarelli, and Champagne’s Philipponnat.
I encourage you to explore the stories of these exceptional wineries and their acclaimed wines, get to know the families and winemakers, and connect with us at Demeine Estates in the market, in St. Helena, and through our social channels and newsletter.
Cheers,
PHILANA BOUVIER PresidentSustainability Practices
BENEFICIAL INSECT/ NESTING BOXES
BIODIVERSITY FRIEND CERTIFIED
ICON KEY
BIODYNAMIC PRACTICES
CALIFORNIA CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMERS
CSR CERTIFIED
DEMETER BIODYNAMIC CERTIFIED
ECOCERT CERTIFIED
HVE CERTIFIED
CERTIFIED ORGANIC (EU)
ORGANIC PRACTICES
SQNPI CERTIFIED
TERRA VITIS CERTIFIED
VEGAN
EQUALITAS CERTIFIED
VDC CERTIFIED
WATER RECLAMATION/ RECYCLING
FISH FRIENDLY FARMING CERTIFIED
Critical Acclaim
ABBREVIATION KEY
“At a time when the wine industry is grappling with attracting younger consumers—mainly Millennials— Brendel is leading the way.”
JESS LANDER
THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Brendel likes to say that they have a secret ingredient: dirt. Their range of wines are made from some of the best sites in Napa’s most renowned regions, including the eastern side of Rutherford, the highest elevations of Howell Mountain, two diverse sites in St. Helena, and a steep plot in Oak Knoll. Each vineyard is chosen for its
quality and unique aptitude, with soil types ranging from volcanic to clay to bring out the best in each grape in their array of wines. It’s, as they put it, good dirt.
Brendel wines are produced exclusively by Brittany Sherwood, Director of Winemaking for Heitz Cellar. These guaranteed very high-quality wines are made with the same Heitz integrity in their own unique style. Named in honor of Leon Brendel, a mascot of “pre-60s Napa Valley” wine, the wines are fresher, lighter, aged in neutral large casks and handcrafted for daily consumption. All wines are free of any unnecessary ingredients and made with organically farmed 100% CCOF organic certified Napa Valley fruit.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Burgess is among Napa Valley’s greatest historical estates. From the Swiss-Italian ancestors who first planted the Sorenson Vineyard in 1870 to the present day, the winery has embraced the role and importance of nature in crafting elegant wines from its pedigreed vineyards.
In 1943, Lee Stewart planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah grapes on Howell Mountain’s steep hillsides, naming his winery Souverain. Subsequent Napa Valley greats also tended the land; before starting the historic Stag’s Leap and Grgich wineries, Warren Winiarski and Mike Grgich each learned their trades at the Estate.
When Tom Burgess arrived in the Napa Valley, he began a quest to find the perfect vineyard site to yield the Cabernet Sauvignon wine he loved. Burgess acquired the Souverain estate in 1972 and hired Bill Sorenson as his chief winemaker, a role he held for 41 vintages, one of the longest tenures in the history of the Napa Valley.
In 2020 the Burgess family passed the baton to Gaylon Lawrence, Jr., upholding a 150-year tradition of family ownership. Gaylon entrusted the legacy of the Howell
Mountain vineyard to Winemaker Meghan Zobeck, a leader in promiscuous and regenerative farming, who produces high-quality, organic wines that are true reflections of the land.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
The wines of Haynes Vineyard inspire the deepest corridors of imagination. Producing small-lot, single estate Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay, Winemaker Nico Cueva tells a story of time, place, and intent.
The historic Haynes Vineyard, originally purchased by James Whitford from Nathan Coombs in 1866, is comprised of a 43-acre parcel and includes 27 acres planted to vine. The crown jewel of Napa Valley’s Coombsville appellation, Haynes Vineyard was first planted in 1967 and encompasses the oldest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines in the valley.
A lower elevation site with a sightline to the San Pablo Bay, this microclimate is distinguished by cooler temperatures, with winds and marine fog often billowing through and lingering amongst the rows of vines. One of
Napa Valley’s most treasured sites capable of producing wines of generous structure with fresh acidity and minerality, the vineyard designate wines are made with intent, showcasing the symbiotic relationship between the prehistoric oceanic soils of Coombsville and the decades-old vines firmly rooted there.
“Heitz Martha’s Vineyard is one of Napa’s iconic bottlings; the 1974 counts among the greatest wines in Napa history.”
JAMES MOLESWORTH WINE SPECTATORFamily owned since its founding in 1961, Heitz Cellar’s legacy runs deep. It is widely considered a winery legend, having played a major role in shaping the history of Napa Valley winemaking. In the late 1950’s, pioneering vintner Joe Heitz ushered in Napa’s modern era with his iconic, globally celebrated pure varietal, single-vineyard wines that can age for decades, including Napa Valley’s first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon, the renowned Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard. Sixty years of the Heitz family’s dedication to viticulture, stewardship, and timeless post-prohibition style winemaking have maintained the winery’s notoriety as a benchmark amongst its peers in California and Europe.
In April 2018, Heitz Cellar entered an exciting new chapter as this rich legacy was passed into the hands of the Lawrence family, whose deep roots in agriculture and commitment to the same core values of fine winemaking made it a perfect match.
Director of Winemaking Brittany Sherwood, who has been with Heitz Cellar for over 13 years, continues to produce wines with an unwavering dedication to quality from organically farmed, 100% Napa Valley fruit, and a responsibility to the sustainability of Napa Valley.
Heitz Cellar features prized estate vineyards planted in six of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations: Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, Howell Mountain, Oak Knoll District, and Calistoga.
This allows for an incredible breadth of diversity in terroir, and the ability to craft wines that are a pure representation of place. A proud leader in agricultural stewardship, 100% of the vineyards at Heitz Cellar are grown certified CCOF organic and Demeter certified biodynamic.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
While many who visit the Napa Valley come to know the tapestry of vineyards and villages cradled between the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains, few have an opportunity to explore the rugged hills and forested peaks of Howell Mountain.
It is there that Howell Mountain's greatest classical estate, Ink Grade, has clung since 1873. Ascending to an elevation of 2,200 feet, the climb to Ink Grade is a feat unto itself. Early pioneers of the Napa Valley established ranches on the remote eastern side of Howell Mountain in the mid 1800’s.
The vineyards here contain a unique energy — bound in layers of volcanic soil, latent and patiently waiting to be discovered, it is a terroir capable of producing concentrated, distinct wines.
There is incredible potential in this lofty site blanketed by 30-year-old vines grasping onto volcanic tufa soils. The site exemplifies what makes Howell Mountain so special, with nearly every aspect and angle that one vineyard can possess displayed in a plethora of unique and dynamic parcels. This unique setting, with its wild nature, makes it possible to create something truly rare.
Today, the Ink Grade Estate Vineyard lies in the northeast corner of the Howell Mountain AVA in Napa Valley, and is the appellation's first monopole estate. The vines are planted on narrow terraces of earth cut into steep slopes.
The intent is to capture the wild purity of the mountain and the structure of its rugged terrain in wines both elegant and robust.
To do so takes patience, reverence, and care: allowing the fruit to flourish through biodynamic farming, extended maceration, long élevage, and low intervention winemaking practices. Ink Grade Estate was recognized in 2023 as the largest Demeter Certified Biodynamic ranch in Napa County, with 220 acres under vine (of the 750 acre property) gaining certification in 2022
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Matt Taylor Wines is eponymous for a reason; these bottles contain an inimitable intersection of place and viewpoint. A Sonoma County native from three generations, Taylor has pursued wine knowledge across the world, studying and working in Cádiz, Burgundy, Hawkes Bay, Mendoza, Cafayate, the Russian River Valley and Napa Valley.
It all led him to the same conclusion: wine should be as thorough an expression of place as possible.
The hand-crafted wines from the West Sonoma Coast are produced from the Komorebi Vineyard, Japanese for “light filtered between trees”, perched just four miles from the Pacific Ocean.
Winemaker Matt Taylor’s understanding of his vineyards with their long, cool growing season informs his wholecluster-fermented Pinot Noir and no-sulfur-added Chardonnay, and inspired him to embark on planting Loire varietals for the future. These hand-painted bottles are defined by a poetic purity – they are a love letter to the land that only Taylor could write.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Racines is a collaboration by two classic houses from France, led by vignerons Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Burgundy and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne.
The team came together to join their individual experiences in hand-crafting wines of purity and transparency to create a range of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cool climate of the Sta. Rita Hills in California.
The project is the first venture for Étienne and Rodolphe beyond France and represents the coming together of all that is wonderful about Burgundy, Champagne and California. Winemaker Ryan Hannaford has joined the team, and together with Sieve makes terroir driven, elegant, and balanced wines in the new world.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
In 1943, Fred McCrea and his wife, Eleanor, stumbled onto a 168-acre plot of land hidden away on the slopes of Spring Mountain, which they purchased and later named Stony Hill Vineyard.
With their love for French white wines combined with the ideal growing conditions of their property, the McCreas built the first post-prohibition winery in 1951 and released their inaugural vintage the following year. Stony Hill’s terroir and climate mirrored that of Burgundy, made of
volcanic mountain soil with a limestone sub-layer and a northeast-facing hillside, making it perfect to craft their preferred style of Chardonnay. Some would later refer to Stony Hill as “America’s greatest white wine estate.”
In 2020 the Lawrence Family became the next family to own the pearl of Spring Mountain. Under the watchful eye of managing partner, Carlton McCoy Jr., Stony Hill has taken careful steps to preserve its legacy in the Napa Valley, keeping the integrity of the land and winemaking style intact. A hidden oasis encompassed solely by lush forestry, the high-elevation vineyard features an unparalleled view of the valley below. The founders’ original home on the Estate has been transformed into a stunning mid-century modern haven, inviting guests to experience the entrancing time capsule of Stony Hill.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Chardonnay, Spring Mountain District
Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District
OFFERINGS FROM
France
Burgundy, Chablis, Champagne, SancerreThe reputation of Domaine de Montille is patiently earned; the family’s roots in Volnay stretch back to the 17th century, and their winemaking in Burgundy began in 1750 with plots of Pinot Noir in some of the finest terroirs in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
In the ensuing centuries, many vineyards were sold, until 1947 when Hubert de Montille took over the family home and remaining premiere cru plots in Volnay. He brought new vision and steered the winery towards bottling in-house with an emphasis on terroir and traditional vinification. In 1983, his son Étienne joined the team, and began co-managing with his father in 1995, when together they began organic conversion. A decade later, they also began practicing biodynamics, and in 2006 Étienne’s sister Alix joined as winemaker for the domaine’s white wines. In 2012, the domaine became organic certified.
Over the 70 years since Hubert took the helm, Domaine de Montille’s vineyard holdings and range of wines have grown exponentially, while maintaining the core style
and values of the winery. They now own 37 hectares of majority premier cru and grand cru vineyards throughout the Côte d’Or in 20 appellations, acquiring plots in Puligny Cailleret in 1993, Corton Charlemagne in 2004, Vosne-Romanée, Les Malconsorts and Clos de Vougeot in 2005, and 12 hectares across Puligny-Montrachet in 2012.
The winery style remains distinctive, with an emphasis on whole cluster fermentations when possible, long macerations, punch-downs at the peak of fermentation, and mostly neutral barrel aging with measured influence from new oak.
Each vintage is treated uniquely to focus on finesse, keeping alcohol levels low for longer aging times. While the wines of Hubert de Montille would often present austerely when young and open over time, Étienne has adjusted vineyard management and winemaking practices to create more accessibility while maintaining aging ability. Now internationally renowned, the winery is known as equal parts pioneer and benchmark.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru "Aux Malconsorts Christiane”
DOMAINE DE MONTILLE • •
Côte de Nuits
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru
Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru "Aux Malconsorts” •
Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru "Aux Malconsorts Christiane” •
Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Aux Thorey” • Nuits-Saint-Georges “Aux Saints-Juliens”
Côte de Beaune
Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Monthélie Pinot Noir Vin Nature
Beaune 1er Cru “Les Sizies” • Beaune 1er Cru “Les Perrières” •
Beaune 1er Cru “Les Grèves” • Pommard 1er Cru “Les Pézerolles” • Pommard 1er Cru “Les Rugiens-Bas” • Pommard “Les Cras”
Volnay 1er Cru “En Champans” • Volnay 1er Cru “Les Mitans” • Volnay 1er Cru “Les Taillepieds” •
Other formats available
Bourgogne “Le Clos du Château”
Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru •
Bourgogne Chardonnay • Bourgogne “Le Clos du Château”
Beaune 1er Cru “Les Aigrots”
Meursault 1er Cru “Les Porusots” • Meursault 1er Cru “Les Perrières” • Meursault “Saint-Christophe”
Saint-Aubin 1er Cru “Les Remilly”
Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Folatières”
Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Le Cailleret” •
Puligny-Montrachet • Chassagne-Montrachet
Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru • Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru •
MAISON DE MONTILLE • • Chablis 1er Cru “Les Fourchaumes”, Chablis
Saint-Romain, Côte de Beaune
Pouilly-Fuissé “En Vergisson”, Mâconnais
Domaine Roc de l’Abbaye is located in Saint-Satur, a village in the heart of Sancerre with winegrowing origins dating back to the 11th century.
Saint-Satur is famous for its ancient abbey and its Silex (flint) terroir on the hillsides bordering the Loire river. Silex is a coveted soil type, found in only 15% of the vineyards in Sancerre, that produces wines with brilliant minerality, acidity and precision with trademark smoky notes.
The domaine has been helmed by the Mollet family for generations. Winemaker Florian Mollet has been managing it since 2000, building a modern cellar and expanding the family estate to 42 acres. Each parcel is vinified separately in small stainless steel tanks to maintain site specificity. The domaine holds 12 parcels total in Sancerre, with 24 acres of Sauvignon Blanc and nearly 4 acres of Pinot Noir. Their parcels in PouillyFumé are made up of nearly 15 acres of Sauvignon Blanc. The estate’s farming practices, which have earned two certifications, focus on preserving the ecosystem, delivering quality and maintaining local heritage. The wines are fresh, textured and refined, with a distinct minerality that is indicative of the soil.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
La Chablisienne is celebrating 100 years of winegrowing across a mosaic of exclusive vineyards in Chablis. This family-owned cooperative was established in 1923 by a group of winegrowers in Chablis with the goals of driving quality and innovation in the region, as well as bolstering the influence of its members. This winery is rooted in a pioneering spirit, creating pure, minerality driven wines of exquisite quality. Today, La Chablisienne spans 270 winegrowing families and 1,200 acres farmed and is known for producing some of the top wine in Chablis.
Chablis produces some of the most distinctive and sought-after Chardonnay in the world. The region’s unique Jurassic era Kimmerigian soils bestow mouthwatering minerality. La Chablisienne farms a diverse array of vineyards across the four appellations— Grand Cru, 1er Cru, Chablis and Petit Chablis—so the wines truly represent the essence of each unique location. The winery’s commitment to the environment is demonstrated through a variety of programs implemented at all levels of the company which produce high quality wine while respecting and protecting people
and vineyards by optimizing consumption and reducing carbon footprint. By 2025, La Chablisienne plans to have 100% of its vineyards HVE3-certified and 75% will be Terra Vitis-certified.
Vinification for all wines is performed to maintain the nuances of each particular terroir, which is accomplished through cold settling before fermentation and conducting primary and malolactic fermentations in stainless steel tanks. These elegant cuvées are known for their purity, energy and minerality.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Sauvignon de Saint-Bris, Saint-Bris
Le Finage, Chablis
BOURGOGNE REGIONAL
Aligoté, Bourgogne Aligoté
Sauvignon de Saint-Bris, Saint-Bris
Chardonnay, Bourgogne Chardonnay • • •
Pinot Noir, Bourgogne Pinot Noir • • •
CHABLIS/PETIT CHABLIS
Pas si Petit, Petit Chablis • • •
Le Finage, Chablis
La Pierrelée, Chablis
La Sereine, Chablis
Les Vénérables, Chablis
Fourchaume, Chablis 1er Cru
Château Grenouilles, Chablis Grand Cru
PREMIER CRU CHABLIS
Grande Cuvée, Chablis 1er Cru
Beauroy, Chablis 1er Cru •
Côte de Léchet, Chablis 1er Cru
Fourchaume, Chablis 1er Cru
Les Fourneaux, Chablis 1er Cru
Montmains, Chablis 1er Cru
Vaillons, Chablis 1er Cru
Vaulorent, Chablis 1er Cru
GRAND CRU CHABLIS
Château Grenouilles, Chablis Grand Cru
Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru
François Legras was born into a family with four centuries of grape growing experience in Chouilly and by age 16 was learning the skills of vine-grower and cellar-master from his father.
François went on to marry Brigitte Legras, née Haas, and Champagne Legras & Haas was established in 1991. Today it is run by their three sons, Olivier, Rémi and Jérôme.
Chouilly is the northern-most Grand Cru village in the Côte des Blancs, whose coveted vineyards produce the finest Champagnes. The Legras-Haas family cultivates 18 hectares of vines, comprised of 35 parcels, throughout the village of Chouilly, which offers an extraordinary diversity of chardonnay styles. The family owns additional vineyard properties in Vitry (southeast of the Côte des Blancs) and Les Riceys in the Côte des Bar. In total the family farms almost 37 hectares in these outstanding terroirs.
All the Legras & Haas Blanc de Blancs wines, from the non-vintage Brut to the vintage single-vineyard Les Sillons, are 100% estate-grown. For their compelling
and lauded blends tier, including Intuition Brut, Brut Rosé and Exigence, the family uses both estate fruit and grapes purchased from long-time partners in Aÿ and Leuvrigny. The Legras family act as stewards of their vines, respecting and maintaining the ecosystem so they may deliver dynamic wines that are aromatic, graceful and approachable in their youth and retain poise and freshness while developing complexity and depth with age.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
La Champagne au Coeur—Champagne in our hearts—is the Philipponnat house motto and reflects a legacy dating back to 1522 when the family purchased land in the area of Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ to grow grapes. Auguste and Pierre Philipponnat founded the champagne house in 1910
Today Philipponnat is lead by 15th generation, Charles Philipponnat, cementing over 500 years as winegrowers in Champagne. The family’s adage also references their estate located in the heart of the Champagne region and their passion for producing wine that evokes their terroir and their values. In 1935, the family acquired the renowned and unparalleled Clos des Goisses Vineyard. Situated within the 20 hectares in and around the crus where they established their original vineyards in 1522, this 5.5 hectare parcel faces due south and is comprised of pure chalk. With a steep 45 degree grade, Clos des Goisses is the source of Champagne’s first single-vineyard wine and today is one of a small handful of revered wines sought by collectors worldwide.
Philipponnat works to preserve these precious, fragile, centuries-old terroirs by using natural methods, including customized organic and biodynamic practices carried out primarily by hand or with the help of horses. Emphasis on conservation results in
consistently improving quality in the wines. The focus on preservation continues in the cellar where centuries of expertise are applied to craft champagne that is intense and complex while retaining freshness and minerality. The exclusive use of first press juice, prowess with Pinot Noir, strategic use of cask fermented or matured lots and extended lees aging all contribute to the house style, but the use of the solera process is the most unique aspect of Philipponnat winemaking. This technique is a longstanding House tradition whereby reserve wines in oak barrels are included in the non-vintage blends, which then become the reserve wine for the next cuvée. This progressive dilution allows every bottle to retain traces of previous generations of Champagne so that each blend stretches back to the very beginning.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
OFFERINGS FROM
Established in 1435, the Mazzei family is one of Tuscany’s oldest wine dynasties and they have been cultivating vineyards and crafting fine wine for over 600 years, originally in Chianti Classico and now in Maremma, Sicily and Treviso as well. The Mazzei family purchased the land that became Belguardo in the mid-1990’s after an extensive search for a property that provided the best conditions to express international and indigenous grape varieties. The estate’s hilly topography, diverse soils and proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea provide ideal conditions for high quality viticulture.
The family embarked on an intense vineyard replanting program immediately after the purchase to ensure the right selection of varietals and clones for each plot where gradients range from 10% to 19% and calcareous, rocky soils vary in texture and water retention. Belguardo wines quickly gained global recognition for their quality and established the outstanding potential of the Maremma region. Today, customized organic practices that focus on soil health, preservation of biodiversity and avoiding pesticides protect the land and its people, and the estate’s wines deliver complexity and concentration balanced with elegance and freshness.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Vermentino, Vermentino Maremma Toscana DOC
Toscana IGT
Belguardo V, Maremma Toscana DOC Vermentino Superiore
Located in Italy's Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Tenuta Borgo Conventi was established in 1975 and was named in homage to the first monastery (“convento”) founded in the province of Farra d’Isonzo on land donated by a noble family in the 17th century. Borgo Conventi’s white wines hail from the winery’s oldest vineyards in the hills of Collio, a DOC region known for producing exceptional and mineral-driven white wines due to its signature ponca soil series.
This unique soil is composed of marl and sandstone and contains marine fossils. The structure and elegance of the Collio white wines is also due to its ideal growing climate and location on the border of Slovenia and between the Julian Alps and the Adriatic Sea, which features significant differences in daytime and nighttime temperatures, resulting in complexity. Tenuta Borgo Conventi has been owned and managed by the Moretti Polegato family since 2019
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
The Poderi Boscarelli estate is the true "cru" of Vino Nobile, nestled among olive groves, broom bushes and oak trees. From this terroir, generations of the De Ferrari Corradi family have committed themselves to bringing forth the aromas and pure character of the Sangiovese grape, locally called Prugnolo Gentile, to reach its most elevated expression. The goal of Boscarelli is to globally elevate this historic appellation of Tuscany through exceptional winegrowing and winemaking.
Globally recognized as a benchmark producer from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Boscarelli focuses on expressive, terroir-driven Vino Nobile, producing traditional and riserva bottlings from their prized estate vineyards. Located in the Northeast area of the Montepulciano appellation, which is situated in the south of Tuscany, the alluvial soils and favorable microclimate of the winery's vineyards are ideal for growing elegant Sangiovese. Each plot is vinified and aged separately, with a focus on highlighting each individual soil type and clone in the resulting wines.
Cà Romé is a true family winery, nestled in the heart of Barbaresco. It was founded by Romano Marengo in 1980 after a 30-year career in the wine industry, during which he dreamed of making his own terroirdriven wines. Today it is run by Romano’s children, Winemaker Giuseppe Marengo and Director of Operations, Paola Marengo.
The Cà Romé philosophy is reflected in the name: Cà is short for casa, which means “home” and refers to Romano’s home and a winery that is run by a family, not a corporation.
As winemaker, Giuseppe upholds his father’s use of traditional methods with long fermentations to bring out the fruit’s natural properties. The wines are matured in a mixture of Slavonian oak casks and barriques of varying sizes to emphasize balance in oak, fruit, and intensity. The rich body and firm tannins benefit from long bottle aging and will continue to develop for decades to come.
Cà Romé’s estate vineyards consist of three sites in Barbaresco and two vineyards in Serralunga D’Alba, which were inherited from Giuseppe’s grandmother,
Maria di Brün. The Barbaresco vineyards are rich in marl soils that date back to the Tortonian-Messinian period, with a variety of mineral components that translate into the wines. The Serralunga D’Alba properties are also heavy in blue marl and are some of the oldest soils in Barolo. These two historic sites produce worldclass, terroir-driven Barbaresco and Barolo wines that have quickly gained critical acclaim and a global reputation for excellence.
Established in 1435, the Mazzei family is one of Tuscany’s oldest wine dynasties and they have been cultivating vineyards and crafting fine wine for over 600 years in Fonterutoli in the heart of Chianti Classico. Leading the portfolio today are the Marchesi Mazzei, brothers Francesco and Filippo, as well as Filippo’s son Giovanni, the 25th generation. Notable ancestors include Ser Lapo Mazzei, author of the first known document (1398) using Chianti to reference the wine and region and Philip, an Italian turned American patriot whose friendship and correspondence with Thomas Jefferson inspired the idea that “all men are by nature equally free and independent,” which influenced the Declaration of Independence.
While the family has always honored their legacy of producing acclaimed wines of extraordinary aromatic richness, balance and complexity, they are also leaders in viticulture and vinification. The winery’s vineyards cover 110 hectares across 7 sub-zones of Chianti Classico, which are divided into 114 plots featuring different soils, altitudes (720-1870 feet) and micro-climates.
All vineyards are farmed with a commitment to reducing environmental impact and fostering sustainability. From their state-of-the-art low-impact, gravity fed cellar to their massal selections and clonal research, the current generation pursues innovation that elevates their wines and protects the ecosystem. This balance of preservation and evolution is rooted in the Castello di Fonterutoli, the historic family seat.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico DOCG
Ser
Four generations of the Sassetti family have farmed some of the finest vineyards in Montalcino. In 1967, Livio Sassetti was among the founders of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino, which was the same year the DOCG system was written into law. In the late 1970s, Livio purchased Podere Pertimali, the 16-hectare (40acre) vineyard in the Montosoli area now renowned for the production of benchmark Brunello. The family further expanded its vineyard holdings in 1999 with estate vineyards in La Querciolina along the Tuscan coast. Today, Lorenzo Sassetti is winemaker and proprietor, along with his wife, Sabina La Brusco Sassetti.
The Montosoli hill is located in the northern side of the Montalcino appellation, a cool, well-ventilated area. The Sassetti Livio Brunellos are known for their freshness and classical style that so clearly reflects the terroir of this special area of Montalcino. The vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically, and all fruit is harvested by hand. Sassetti Livio’s cru, Vigna del Mulino, is sourced from a lower elevation site on the Montosoli hill with unique soils rich in marine fossils and shells.
The second estate of the Sassetti winery is located in Maremma, just 16 miles from Montalcino, on the slopes of Mount Amiata. The estate has a total area of 42 acres, of which 27 acres of Sangiovese Grosso are planted for the production of Montecucco Rosso DOC.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Originally built in the 17th century as a hunting lodge in the midst of a wooded area, Villa Marcello began its wine journey in the 19th century when then-owner Elisabetta Galvani Onigo decided to plant the first vines on the estate. Her descendants, Alessandra and Andriana Marcello inherited the vineyards, and today, they are the passion project of Giovanni Mazzei, Alessandra’s son.
The estate is in the Prosecco Treviso DOC adjacent to the esteemed Conegliano area. Abundant light, Adriatic winds and the Venetian pre-Alps provide the terroir to fully express the Glera grape. The estate’s 60 hectares of vineyards are planted to local clonal selections and the wines are sourced from estate grapes only, which means that quality is ensured from grape to glass.
Preservation and protection of the environment is the basis of the family’s management of the land and the vineyards. They maintain a historic park housing centuries-old trees and other diverse flora, and the
vineyards are farmed sustainably to focus on soil health and avoid pesticides. Villa Marcello’s Prosecco demonstrates its origins with elegance and finesse.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Headquartered in a historic Palladian villa that dates to 1622, Villa Sandi is a winery anchored in family and tradition. The Moretti Polegato family has grown grapes since the 1920s and has been the steward of the Villa Sandi estate since the late 1970s, preserving an icon of Italian wine culture. Currently the largest owner of estate vineyards in Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, Villa Sandi offers a portfolio of fresh and lively Proseccos from DOC Treviso, fruit-driven Prosecco Superiore from Valdobbiadene and Asolo DOCGs, and an elegant and refined offering from Cartizze DOCG, the highest designation of the region.
Villa Sandi showcases an extreme dedication to elevating the production of Prosecco by managing its estate vineyards with the utmost care. Exceptional wine quality and a true commitment to sustainability and biodiversity are hallmarks of Villa Sandi. Among its many sustainable practices, Villa Sandi primarily relies on its own hydroelectric power plant to supply clean energy and irrigate its vineyards. The winery’s dedication to preserving its legacy through protecting the environment is rooted in Villa Sandi’s family-run organization.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Prosecco DOC Treviso Il Fresco Brut
Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
VINO SPUMANTE BRUT
Blanc de Blancs Il Fresco Brut
Rosé Il Fresco Brut
PROSECCO DOC
Prosecco DOC Rosé Il Fresco Brut Millesimato •
Prosecco DOC Il Fresco Brut Organic
Prosecco DOC Treviso Il Fresco Brut •
Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG La Rivetta Brut Millesimato
PROSECCO DOCG
Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry
Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG La Rivetta 120 Extra Brut
Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG La Rivetta Brut Millesimato
STILL WINE
Pinot Grigio DOC delle Venezie
DC
WA
After a five-year search, the Mazzei family discovered the land for Zisola in 2003 in southeast Sicily where Nero d’Avola is thought to have originated. The property is next to Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Baroque buildings, and the family saw the potential of this site, rich in heritage and biodiversity. Zisola is comprised of 50 hectares with magnificent citrus, almond and olive groves.
The estate’s sandy limestone mix and Mediterranean climate provide the perfect location to cultivate grapes. Over 24 hectares of traditional alberello (head-trained) vines, planted primarily to Nero d’Avola, comprise the estate vineyards and require over 400 hours of hand work per hectare each year.
Subtle elevations (295-425 feet) and open exposures allow the breezes from the Ionian Sea to moderate the summer heat. The estate has always used customized organic practices that focus on soil health, preserving biodiversity and avoiding pesticides; today, it is certified BIO organic. With Zisola, the Mazzei family imbue the rich heritage of the land with their centuries of winegrowing knowledge to deliver a new generation of acclaimed Sicilian wines that are concentrated and complex while still elegant and fresh.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Demeine Estates
PHILANA BOUVIER
Demeine Estates President
Women in Wine
Viticulture & Viniculture
BRITTANY SHERWOOD Heitz Cellar Director of Winemaking
MEGHAN ZOBECK Burgess Cellars Director of Winemaking
MARY STUMP Ink Grade Assistant Winemaker
MACY STUBSTAD
Lawrence Wine Estates Director of Vineyard Operations
DIVA MORETTIPOLEGATO
Villa Sandi Owner & Global Brand Ambassador
GLYCINE JIANG Stony Hill Assistant Winemaker
PAOLA MARENGO Cà Romé Director of Operations
BRIGITTE HAAS Legras & Haas Co-Proprietor
PAOLA DE FERRARI CORRADI Boscarelli Proprietor
MADY, ANDRIANA & ALESSANDRA MARCELLO
Villa Marcello Proprietors
Inspire the Future
DREAM IT, LIVE IT
Dream It, Live It is an annually-selected professional partnership opportunity aimed towards wine entrepreneurs. Inclusion has always been powerful, and the program will empower a more inclusive wine industry, one growing business at a time.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
In addition to their Dream It, Live It initiative, which aims to use the importer’s established network to provide unique opportunities for minority-owned businesses and social responsibility organizations with a commitment to changing the wine industry, Demeine Estates is a committed partner of The Roots Fund, The Lift Collective, Napa Valley Vintners and more.
Lawrence Wine Estates’s Chief Visionary Officer single-handedly changing and influencing the wine industry as we know it. A trailblazer in his own right, Carlton inspires the next generation of wine connoisseurs and challenges us all to achieve greatness. He is a co-founder and board member of The Roots Fund.
Lawrence Wine Estates Managing Partner & CEO
Global Presence
FEBRUARY 12-14, 2024
FEBRUARY 20-24, 2024
PRESENTS
FEB 29-MAR 1, 2024
APRIL 4-7, 2024
JUNE 14-16, 2024
MARCH 10-12 2024
NEW ORLEANS, APRIL 26, 2024
LAS VEGAS, MAY 4, 2024 DENVER, MAY 11, 2024
OCTOBER 17-19, 2024
World Class Hospitality
TRADE VISITS
Trade visits available. Please contact your local Demeine Estates Region Manager with requests.
Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Sunday, Monday, Thursday
Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday