BRIGHT WHITES FROM THE COAST AND THE HILLS: TWO STANDOUT WINES FROM TERENZUOLA VINEYARD

When it comes to white wines with both personality and poise, Terenzuola is a name that consistently delivers. Based in the far north-west of Tuscany, close to the border with Liguria, this family-run estate masterfully bridges coastal freshness with inland complexity. Two of their latest releases—the 2023 Cinque Terre DOC Bianco and the 2023 Vermentino ‘Vignebasse’ IGT Toscana—are perfect examples of the house style: expressive, precise, and deeply rooted in place.

2023 Cinque Terre DOC Bianco: A Wine of Sea, Stone and History

This is not just a wine; it’s a story in a bottle. The Cinque Terre DOC Bianco is made from local grapes—Bosco, Vermentino, Albarola, and Ruzzese—grown on steep terraces above the Ligurian Sea. The nose offers lifted aromas of lemon zest, honeysuckle, and crushed rock. On the palate, it is beautifully textured yet fresh, combining citrus oil, almond, saline minerality, and a touch of savoury grip from the Bosco.

There’s a quiet power in this wine. Its structure, born from 80-year-old vines and low yields, is remarkable for a coastal white. Six months of lees ageing lends it a silky weight without ever losing its brightness. It’s a wine that evokes long lunches by the sea, seafood platters, and salty sea breezes.

2023 Vermentino ‘Vignebasse’ IGT Toscana: Bright, Zippy, Irresistible

Vermentino can be many things—light and breezy or rich and full—but Terenzuola’s ‘Vignebasse’ strikes the perfect balance. Grown on the estate’s lower-lying, clay-limestone vineyards just inland from the coast, this is a Vermentino that showcases zippy citrus, Mediterranean herbs, and a lovely saline snap.

The nose is inviting, with aromas of grapefruit peel, white peach, and thyme. On the palate, it’s electric—lively acidity, a hint of peach skin bitterness, and mouth-watering minerality. A brief period on the lees adds texture, rounding out the finish while keeping it incredibly clean and drinkable.

This is a wine that shines with grilled fish, fresh goat cheese, or a simple bowl of linguine with lemon and olive oil. It’s modern, fresh, and full of charm.

Why These Wines Stand Out

What makes both these whites so compelling is their authenticity. They are honest expressions of place—no over-oaking, no heavy manipulation, just the grapes, the land, and thoughtful winemaking. Terenzuola leans into the strengths of each site: the drama and minerality of Cinque Terre’s amphitheatre-like terraces, and the gentle hills of inland Tuscany for a more fruit-driven, energetic Vermentino.

Both wines have a distinct character, but they share a common thread: a respect for tradition and terroir, translated through modern, elegant winemaking. In a market flooded with generic whites, these are refreshing reminders of how special a wine can be when it’s allowed to speak of its origins.

About Terenzuola

Terenzuola is a small, family-run estate located in Fosdinovo, a hilltop village that marks the natural border between Liguria and Tuscany. The estate spans two regions and cultivates around 22 hectares of vines, many of them on impossibly steep coastal terraces that must be worked by hand.

The winery is deeply committed to sustainability and heritage—rebuilding ancient dry-stone walls, preserving old bush-trained vines, and focusing on local varieties often overlooked elsewhere. The jewel in the crown is the Costa da Posa vineyard in Cinque Terre: a pre-Roman amphitheatre of vines supported by walls built over 1,000 years ago.

Whether you’re drawn to the salty edge of the Cinque Terre Bianco or the fresh vibrancy of the Vermentino Vignebasse, these wines offer a taste of history, passion, and place—all in a glass.

Limited stock available—these wines are perfect for spring and summer sipping.