Stefano Zoli, heavily influenced by Chablis, aspired to create equally compelling Italian whites and settled on Verdicchio from the inland, land-locked, high altitude vineyards of Matelica in an east-west valley surrounded by the Apennines. This chiseled, precise white begins with organically farmed vineyards that are harvested by hand at perfect ripeness, allowing the grapes speak for themselves. Grapes are pressed directly—spontaneous fermentation with pied de cuve, no malolactic fermentation, and maturation 50% in steel vats and 50% in concrete vats. To pull out more layers and complexity in these age-worthy wines, Stefano is doing frequent bâtonnage, which helps attain the textural goals around a balanced, vinous, and elegant white wine. The result is a gorgeous, pale golden-hued, medium-bodied crisp, savory white with aromas of honeysuckle, sea air, citrus and tropical fruit coupled with beautifully textured flavors of honeydew, papaya and tart finger lime (aka lime caviar). Pairs deliciously with crispy green beans and garlic, local cheeses like Pecorino and Robiola, or Brodetto di Recanatese, the local seafood stew!