We first met the Ciani family and visited their 84-hectare (200-acre) estate, Aquila del Torre, in 2008. We remain impressed by the beauty of the landscape, their organic farming methods and the clear-as-a-bell fruit and minerality of the wines.  We loved the wines then, and we love them now. If anything, they’ve become even more focused than they were in the earlier vintages.

As so often in Italy, Aquila del Torre is a family affair. Michele is the enologo while his sister Francesca runs the export side of things and her husband, Pier Francesco, adds his artistic and marketing skills to the mix.

By the way, Aquila del Torre (“Eagle of the Torre River”) is in part a nature preserve, and it boasts a brand-new agriturismo. Relaxing and sipping excellent wine are definitely on.