What happens when two Russian entrepreneurs decide to start a winery in Tuscany? You get a story as bold as the wine they’re producing!

In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K chats with Luca Vitiello, marketing and sales director of Bertinga Winery, a revolutionary winery in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico region.

Founded in 2015 by two Russian wine enthusiasts, Bertinga Winery is breaking tradition by focusing on single-vineyard Merlot–a rarity in the Sangiovese-dominated region.

With deep roots in the wine import business, the founders have applied their expertise to create a truly bold, innovative, and terroir-driven wine experience.

Tune in now to discover why Bertinga is quickly becoming a rising star in the global market!

Key Takeaways:

Introduction (00:00)

The origin of Bertinga Winery and its Russian roots (02:18)

Focus on Merlot in Chianti Classico (08:30)

Creating IGT wines vs. traditional Chianti Classico DOCG (10:35)

Challenges of growing Merlot in Tuscany’s climate (14:19)

Chianti Classico’s subzones and their roles (18:13)

It takes a vision to be making wines (28:32)

Bertinga’s sustainability and organic farming practices (33:21)

Importance of terroir and minimal intervention winemaking (40:52)

Recognition of Bertinga’s Merlot in international tastings (42:48)

Additional Resources:

👉Learn more about Wine Talks: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/

👉Watch the YouTube full episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcE_nUpOKHY&list=PLVPoDzlH3_n8rqmofwcCQvOi_3Ci66bu_

👉Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WineTalksPodcast?sub_confirmation=1

👉Connect with Luca Vitiello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-vitiello-b5288b67/?originalSubdomain=it

👉Learn more about Bertinga Winery here: https://www.bertinga.it/en/home.html

Watch or listen to these episodes:

🔸What Makes Château Cheval Blanc a PREMIER Winemaker with Pierre-Olivier Clouet: https://youtu.be/ANZISp-XFvc

🔸"The Audacity To Hire A Woman”—Says Veronique Sanders of Cht. Haut Bailly: https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/the-audacity-to-hire-a-woman-says-veronique-sanders-of-cht-haut-bailly/

Let’s Connect:

🍷IG: https://www.instagram.com/winetalkspodcast/

🍷LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kalemkiarian-a792914

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Wine Talks with Paul K is the ultimate podcast for serious wine lovers who want to know everything about the wine business. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, this podcast will introduce you to the wonderful world of wine, one story at a time.

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