Art of a wine bottle taking a stress stress, Still Essential. Illustration by Margie McLain
Essential Winemakers – Opening a Bottle

The Essential Winemakers

Explore the world's two most prominent and densely layered wine nations through the lens of the winemakers who define them. We are regularly updating the Essential Winemakers of Italy and France lists, populating them with a mix of icons, prodigies and diamonds in the rough ... and none of them are overpriced. For subscribers only.

Key to Our Wine Icons

– Practicing Organic
 – Certified Organic
 – Practicing Biodynamic
 – Certified Biodynamic
– Biodiversity
– Polyculture
– Old Vines
– Heroic Viticulture
– Volcanic Soil
– Traditional Winemaking
– Clay Vessel Winemaking
– Family-Operated Winery
– Historic Winery
– Co-operative Winery
– Négociant
– Stay at Winery
– Age-Worthy Wine
– Expensive Wine (+$100)
– Requires Some Searching

Skip to content