From: Abruzzo/Sicily Co-op Collaboration, Southern Italy
Varietal: Nerello Mascalese
Taste: The wine shows a bright ruby color in the glass with slight garnet reflections. Aromas on the nose highlight red cherry, blood orange, and pomegranate, backed by dried lavender and a subtle note of crushed volcanic rock. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with a fine, sandy tannin texture and brisk acidity. Flavors of sour cherry, red currant, and dried herbs unfold alongside a mineral tension that leads to a dry, persistent finish with notes of fennel and citrus peel.
Pairing: To match its profile, aim for dishes that feature char, smoke, or herbal brightness. Grilled lamb chops with rosemary or oregano-marinated chicken thighs are excellent starting points. Tomato-based dishes, such as caponata or a slow-cooked sugo with wild fennel sausage, complement the wine’s herbal and fruit components.
About: LunaGaia is the name of a collaborative project between two viticulture groups in southern Italy: Cantina Orsogna, a large-scale organic cooperative in Abruzzo, and BioGaia, a farmer-led collective based in Sicily. The collaboration aims to expand organic, biodynamic, and ethical farming practices across Italy's diverse southern terroirs while producing wines that challenge conventional expectations of industrial-scale bottlings. LunaGaia wines are made to be fully traceable, certified vegan, and organically grown, and many of the cuvées are labeled as Demeter-certified biodynamic—a rarity for wines produced in such volume.
