IMPORTED BRANDS: NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

Take the High Road

Overview: A unique Pinot Grigio project to showcase the extra vibrancy and freshness of Alto Adige’s most celebrated white. In 2016, Mark Giordano of Pacific Highway Wines worked with winemaker friends and colleagues in Italy to produce a bespoke top tier, modern Pinot Grigio from Italy’s most northern winegrowing areas. Aromatic and rich, but with more vibrancy and freshness. The Alta Via is one of Italy’s most beautiful hiking and walking trails, and the 25 - 60 year old vineyards for the partnership Pinot Grigio are located just below this famous trail - thus becoming the name of the project.

Region: Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT is the official title of the Trentino-Alto Adige wine region, encompassing the DOC regions of Alto Adige, Trentino as well as a small section of the Veneto, all located in the heart of the Dolomites. Sub-alpine vineyards drape across steep hillsides, terraced mountain vineyards of quartz, limestone and volcanic soils. Alta Via Pinot Grigio is sourced from vineyards from both regions.

ALTA VIA PINOT GRIGIO Light green lusters run through the radiant straw-yellow color of this wine. Its aroma is rich in fruits, the most striking of which are pears and apples. An excellent balance gives this wine strength and structure. It is dry and smooth on the palate with a pleasant, mineral aftertaste. Enjoy on its own or pair with lighter fare such as fresh water fish, grilled vegetables and seasonal salads.

Key Words: Alto Adige, Pinot Grigio, Italy, Modern

LOCATION: ITALY

–Alto Adige DOC

FOUNDED: 2016

PROPRIETOR & TALENT: Pacific Highway Wines

#1 Selling Rioja Gran Reserva in the World

Overview: Bodegas Faustino, one of the ‘First Families of Rioja’, was founded in 1861 by the Martinez family and is actively managed today by the 6th generation Martinez daughters. Faustino is one of the most recognized wineries for aging wines, not only in Spain, but around the world. The winery proudly produces and ages Spain’s largest collection of library Rioja Gran Reserva in the world dating back to 1955. Faustino has one of the largest barrel rooms in Rioja and Europe with 47,000 new oak barrels and 10 million bottles aging. Faustino I Gran Reserva is the #1 selling DOCa Rioja Gran Reserva in the USA and in the world.

Region: Rioja is Spain’s most important wine region and is best known for age-worthy wines made from Tempranillo and Garnacha. Located in the northwestern area of Spain, the Cantabrian Mountains provide a natural cooling effect and protection from the Atlantic influences. Rioja is a dry, temperate climate and is divided into three zones based on altitude and soil composition, from valley floor up to the foothills: Baja, Alta and Alavesa. Faustino is the largest vineyard land owner in Rioja with over 1,300 acres mostly in high altitude vineyards at Rioja Alavesa & Rioja Alta.

Label Story: The Faustino Label Since the 1950s, the Faustino label features a work by Dutch master artist, Rembrandt van Rijn. Painted in 1641, the portrait subject is a wealthy Dutch merchant, Nicolaes van Bambeeck – who made his fortune trading Spanish wool, spices and wine. Today the painting is displayed at The Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium, in Brussels.

How did this come to be the Faustino label? In the 1950s, 3rd generation Julio Faustino Martínez was taking the reins and expanded the brand into international markets. The label update at this time featured his father’s first name –Faustino – and the Rembrandt portrait. Julio aimed to fuse the family’s two passions, wine and art, while paying tribute to his father Faustino Martínez Pérez de Albéniz.

LOCATION: SPAIN: D.O.C.a

Rioja

FOUNDED: 1861

PROPRIETOR: The Martinez Family

Key Words: Rioja, Gran Reserva, Legacy, Spain, Red Wine