The first week of May I got to take a trip of a lifetime!  I got to travel through northern Italy.  On day two of our trip we were introduced to a brilliant woman of wine…Bruna.  We met Bruna at her estate in the town of Scansano in the region of Maremma.  Her estate, Querciarossa, we carry at ABC.  We found ourselves this particular afternoon sitting back, outside, with a view of her vineyard, drinking a wonderful white wine varietal, Vermentino. 

While rejuvenating ourselves with white wine we got a great history lesson on this region that dates all the way back to the Bronze Age.  Near this vineyard the Etruscans dug an entire Necropolis out of calcareous rock (made up of calcium carbonate and high in chalk or limestone as well as fossilized shells).  The land is so rich in history and has a great recent discovery: the remains of an ancient vineyard dating back to Etruscan times…

I was overwhelmed by the view, history, and the woman behind the wines.  We took a short jaunt to the seaside, less than an hour from this estate, and walked the hills to view the Mediterranean Sea.  When we returned we had a magical dinner waiting for us.  I think it ended up being at least four courses.  This vineyard, with its strong minerality, was just what our dinner needed!  Everything blended from merlot, cabernet, and sangiovese.  But I do have to say that coming back to the Florida weather, I can’t stop thinking about that first sip of Vermentino in our lazy afternoon.

After meeting Bruna, all I could think was, I want to be her when I grow up.  She is an intelligent business woman who loves wine; what better to become?  But, while I figure out how to become her, I will drink her wines and hope some of her strength rubs off on me.  I could talk for days about her wines and her other estates, but wanted to begin at the beginning  and what I hope stays as a beautiful friendship with Bruna, her estates, and ABC. 

Kathleen Anderson

NW Florida Wine Supervisor

Follow me @abcwinekat