Two Shepherds – The Evolution of a Grape Grower

Written by Allison Levine on September 19, 2019

Lifestyle Wine

There are many different stories about how one finds themselves in the wine industry. I have been a fan of the Two Shepherds wines ever since I first tasted them a few years ago. And recently, I sat down with owner and winemaker William Allen to learn more about how he went from a shepherd of the palate to a shepherd of the grape. You can read about it in the story I wrote in the Napa Valley Register and you can find here.

Everyone in the wine industry has a story about how they got into wine, and there are many different trajectories.

There are those who go to school and study enology and then work harvests at various wineries before taking a job at one winery. There are those who are born into a family business that includes vineyards and a winery. There are those who make a lot of money in a different industry and then decide to purchase a winery as a “retirement” project.

And there are those who start making wine as a hobby and then grow from there. William Allen of Two Shepherds in Sonoma started as a wine blogger, became garagiste winemaker-turned-commercial-winemaker-and-grape-grower, all in the span of a decade. Read More +

Please The Palate Wine of the Week: Marenco Carialoso 2016, Monferrato DOC

Written by Allison Levine on September 18, 2019

Wine

The Piemonte region in northwest Italy is famous for its Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato d’Asti, Brachetto d’Acqui, Arneis and Cortese. In addition, there is Grignolino, Ruché, Friesa, Bonarda, Croatina, Erbaluce, Pelaverga, Vespolina, Timorasso and more. But one grape I had not heard of until my recent visit to Piemonte was Caricalasino, a rare native grape in Piemonte that was close to extinction. Luckily, the grape has been revitalized and the Marenco Carialoso 2016, Monferrato DOC is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

Caricalasino, which translates to the “load of the donkey”, was saved by Marenco winemaker Patrizia Marenco who discovered some old vines in the Bagnario Valley in Strevi.

In 1990, Patrizia began experimenting and approximately 3000 plants were reproduced. For a while, they thought that this white grape was Vermentino, brought up from Ligueria. But this wine has more structure than a Vermentino. Then, ten years ago, research and testing concluded that the grape Caricalasino is white Barbera (the skin of the grape is white).

The Marenco Carialoso comes from a vineyard in Strevi with white marl soils. The grapes are hand-picked and fermented in stainless steel for 15 days. The wine is then aged on the lees for five or six months in stainless steel and in 250 liter barrels.

The Marenco 2016 Carialoso is a bright straw yellow color with delicate notes of citrus fruits, aromatic herbs, flint, camomile and butane. The wine is well-structured with electric acidity on the palate. It is refreshing with a saline finish and soft tannins.

Only 3000 bottles of this wine are made and only in the best vintages. 2016 was the last one they produced and 2018 will be the next vintage. This is a wine that is versatile with food pairing! It can be enjoyed with white meat and fish.

Luckily, 20 cases of this wine are imported into the USA by Vias Imports. It may be difficult to find but it is available and delicious if you can get your hands on it!

A Meal That Defies Words – Dining at Two-Star Michelin Restaurant Dani Maison in Ischia, Italy

Written by Allison Levine on September 17, 2019

Travel Lifestyle Food Wine

Sometimes there are meals that defy words. A meal that is an experience beyond your imagination and yet rooted in something you love, food and wine. That was my experience at Daní Maison, a two-star Michelin restaurant on the island of Ischia in Southern Italy.

While traveling around Campagna, I headed out to Ischia for a couple days of relaxation. I had heard about the thermal baths and thought that I would just lay low for a couple days. But while at dinner at the one star Michelin restaurant Il Buco in Sorrento, Chef Beppe Aversa told me I must check out Daní Maison. Of course, when I heard it was a two Michelin star restaurant, I figured the chance of me getting in only two days later was more than unlikely.

However, I was wrong. Perhaps it was because I was looking at a Sunday night, just after the last weekend of summer and most people were starting to head home to get back to work. But I went online while sitting at dinner my first night in Ischia to read a bit more about the restaurant and see if I might find an email to inquire about a last-minute spot. I entered my name and email and said I was looking for one seat the following night. Unexpectedly, and promptly, I received an email confirming a seat! I was excited! I hesitated for a moment, thinking about what the evening might cost me, but then thought, why not? I was on vacation. This might be my only chance. And, if I was able to get a reservation with only one day’s notice, perhaps it was meant to be.