Building Out Your Cellar with Aged Etna Bianco
Sicily's Most Rewarding Age-Worthy Wine Isn't Red. It's White. And Now Is the Time to Buy It.
Access Opening a Bottle
Explore the world of Italian and European Wine.
Opening a Bottle is an independent publication, supported by a community of engaged wine lovers, with advisory services rooted in first-hand experience. I write all of the content and shoot most of the photography, and I advise personal clients on everything from tailored wine-travel itineraries to building the right mix of wines in their private collection. Becoming a member is the first step toward drinking better wine and having more authentic wine travel experiences.
Choose the access level that fits your needs.
Wine Lovers Membership
Ideal for: Readers, connoisseurs, students, wine pros and world travelers.
Benefits:
Full access to immersive, photojournalistic wine content and reviews.
The membership pays for itself when you take advantage of exclusive discounts from my partners in wine education, wine e-commerce as well as my Fora travel planning services.
Features:
Access the entire site — including all Tasting Reports, Essential Winemakers, Wines to Admire reviews, and recorded video classes.
Wine Industry Group Subscription
Ideal for: Organizations in the wine industry such as consortiums, importers, PR firms and others.
Benefits:
A custom brand page to profile your organization as well as relevant content;
Rotating logo on the home page thanking your organization;
The ability to unlock 1 paywall article per year for public reading;*
Rights to republish content;
Access to exclusive discounts for group members, including photo licensing.
Features:
Full access to the site for up to 5 different staff log-ins.
Winery Subscription
Ideal for: Wineries seeking access to the site and who wish to support my mission. Learn more.
Benefits:
Ability to unlock 1 paywall review per year for public reading;*
Branded Opening a Bottle promotional graphics upon request;
A meaningful way to support independent photojournalism and wine writing;
Access to exclusive discounts, including photo licensing.
Features:
Full access to the site for one account.
Wine Lovers (Individual)
Ideal for: Students, connoisseurs, collectors and individual wine pros.
Benefits:
Access the entire site including all Tasting Reports, Essential Winemakers, Wines to Admire reviews, and recorded video classes;
Exclusive discounts and early access to events and wine consulting services.
Winery Subscription (Individual)
Ideal for: Wineries featured on openingabottle.com as well as those looking for access to the site.
Benefits:
Complete access for one account to all content to help keep you in-touch and inspired;
Branded Opening a Bottle promotional graphics you can share across channels when your wines are featured;
A meaningful way to support independent photojournalism and wine writing.
Wine Industry (Group)
Ideal for: Organizations in the wine industry such as consortiums, importers, PR firms and others.
Benefits:
Enjoy the same benefits of access, but for up to 5 different staff log-ins;
A custom brand page to profile your organization as well as relevant content;
Rotating logo on the home page thanking your organization;
The ability to unlock 1 paywall article per year for public reading;*
Rights to republish content.
These articles and stories are focused on Italian and European wine education and travel through guides, long-form stories, conversations and inspirational photography.
Articles and profiles filed under Wine Intel are behind the paywall. This is where we offer buyer intelligence and inform you on which wineries are most worth the pursuit. This includes Tasting Reports, Wines to Admire, the Essential Winemakers of Italy, and the Top Wines of the Year.
Once you’ve become a member and have logged in, My Account becomes your hub for managing your access, your group members (if applicable) and unlocking special offers and discounts.
What Our Subscribers Are Saying ...
"The content on your site is the best out there. Perfect balance between subjective reviews and opinions along with the educational content. This is such a gift you have."
Adam H., Opening a Bottle Subscriber
What Winemakers Say About Us
Few things are more rewarding for us as writers than to get genuine praise and acknowledgement from winemakers themselves. They see a lot of fluff copy, and have to deal with meaningless and reductive critical evaluations constantly. That's why within winemaking circles, Opening a Bottle has developed a following all its own.
"I honestly believe that your understanding of Etna and its wines is very, very good. Your article on Etna Rosso is a must read." –Antonio, Sicily
"I love how your reviews are focused not so much on giving arid point-based marks but actually talking about the wine, which is in my opinion something fundamental." –Mattia, Northern Italy
"I can feel how you take care of your articles and that’s also why you have so much success ... It’s the same to make a top wine, you need patience!" –Sophie, Northern France
Support from the Wine Industry
From consortiums to restaurant groups, importers to wine education providers, the wine industry sees value in the content we're doing ... and the audience we've cultivated. The following are just four of the many organizations who have established a group subscription and have their own page.
*This feature for Winery Subscriptions is limited to individual wine reviews or estate tasting reports and exclude appellation/regional Tasting Reports. Because access to paywall content drives subscriptions rates, this feature is not available immediately. Wines to Admire reviews can be unlocked 14 days after publication, and Tasting Reports are eligible for unlocking 28 days after their publication date.