This tiny, 10-hectare estate is run with real passion by Swiss couple Bettina Kurz and Frank Hofinger. It is based in the small, medieval walled town of San Gimigiano in Tuscany, which in winemaking terms is best known for Vernaccia di San Gimigiano, a white DOCG wine that has been produced here at least as far back as the 13th century.
The ancient vernaccia grape is well suited to the sandstone soils in this area, and this estate's vines are around 20 years old, and grown on south and south-west-faching slopes outside the town. The word 'vernaccia' actually just means 'vernacular', i.e local or indigenous, and is found in other areas of Italy, but it is believed that Vernaccia di San Gimigiano is local only to this region.
Two of Bettina and Frank's seven wines are Vernaccia di San Gimigiano - one is oak aged, a popular trend for this wine, but we prefer the unoaked version, called Alata, which is fermented in stainless-steel tanks.