Cittavino & Co.

LAST WEEK for the Sicilia wine sale. 15% off selected wines. Head to the link 🌳 and sail directly to all the goods on there.
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Especially pumped about all the Etna 🌋 wine up for grabs! 15% is the deepest disco you’ll find out there because the truth is, amici, margins on wine retail are sadly low and therefore, 💨 🔥Blow Out sales are rare ! And in this case, it’s because I’m a sucka for Sicilian wines and keep myself up at night fantasizing about selling aged Etna wines (actually. I actually lose sleep over it). Which means my 🍑 sits on a lot of inventory. Got a special locker just for Sicily…
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Sale ends Saturday the 28th at 12am (so Friday night) get it on the 🗓️ !
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🗞️ Newsletter peeps got a first crack at the Sicilian Wine Sale and now passing it along to the Instagram crew!
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15% off Sicilian Selections!!
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Use the codice: SALESICILIA
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WHY: I can’t help myself 😭 I’m a kid in a candy shop when it comes to wine! Rented a second space in the warehouse and Cittavino & Co. is still bursting at the seams with wine, majority of which is Sicilian!
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WHAT: I’ve gone through and selected about 45 different wines, including some Mt. Etna bangers! This is your chan e to stock up on some collector Contrade wines!
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WHEN: through June or until sold out!
Newsletter crew already 🧹 swept through, but there’s still plenty of 💎 available.
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1. 📸

So turns out I have a problem… I can’t stop buying cool wine! Your girl just did inventory and Cittavino is bursting at the seams with vini Siciliani in need of a good home.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​15% off all Sicilian selections, including Etna! Some single bottle gems in there. The sale will be offered on the newsletter first, and then go live for everyone on Thursday.

If you want your shot at some of the more coveted wines and single bottle inventory, follow the link 🌳 and get on the newsletter, which will send out tomorrow with the discount code.

Thank you to everyone who joined the Etna Masterclasses in April and May! Two in person, two online- and this one snap shot of the Part II Crew in person. When you are responsible for the wine pouring and cooking, it’s hard to get all the pictures in!

We ate arancini and piacentinu ennese 🧀, tasted a boat load of wines, talked history and the geology of Etna, AND raised just about $700 for relief efforts in Gaza, that was donated to and

Thank you all for your interest and patience with me as we navigated some uncharted territory together - sharpie is not as permanent as once thought, noted. 😉

I will be releasing more virtual classes and the year unfolds. If you missed this session, not to worry! The Etna Masterclasses are officially up online for individuals, or groups!

A Presto!

Man… I can’t believe more than a month has gone by since Vinitaly 2024!
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Yours truly had a blast, and per usual got pretty cerebral
about it.
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I’m someone who… is complex. Ha! Aren’t we all, but in starting Cittavino & Co. I’ve learned a lot about myself, one is that being in large crowds within an anchor ⚓️ stresses me the eff out. Another is that I really love wine- which might be obvious because hello, I started a wine company, but that it means so much more to me than just as it comes bottled in its final form. What’s actually in that bottle and why should we be way more attached to it than we are? It is man’s expression of nature. Interpretation of… and the deeper I go the more convinced I am that man and nature are the same.
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My musings, Vinitaly survival guide, and best Bologna vintage shopping are up on the Substack (yes second hand shopping is related! I swear, give it a chance).
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I recorded an audio version because sometimes listening is better than reading 📖 - for your 🚗 leisure.

Fun Fact:
I left my film camera at SFO security- just walked away from it like it didn’t even exist, so I went on an adventure in Verona to find a 📷 . I bought some funky stylized film, bend the coloring. I’m not a pro, and often my photos end up blurry because I insist on taking photos with no light on 200mm film because “it might turn out!”

Ciao dalla Campania!
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It’s hard to feature Campania without featuring volcanic wines- the region is just so dang full of active, seismically active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes.
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Members received their cute post cards with write ups on each wine. We were able to get a producer meet and greet on the books for Calabria, and hoping to get another for Campania…
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Any Campanian producers you’d like to meet? I have one I’d be very excited to introduce you all too 🤗
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Producer meet ups are a membership perk, but available to all for a small 🎟️
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All this month’s member wines are up on the ‘ol site. Super pumped about ‘s work with varieties we’ve never heard of, ‘s perfection of the Pallagrello Nero 🍇 from the slopes of dormant Roccamonfina. And to see Vadiaperti again. Coda di Volpe’s moment isn’t over!
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What are you doing this Saturday the 4th?
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Cittavino is hosting a virtual meet up with some of the producers we featured in April’s shipment.
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We’re going to chat not just wine but the Calabrian landscape, socially and economically and why it remains such an underdog in Italy. And what all three of these producers are working on to bring Calabria back to its greatness of antiquity.
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The meetup is free for Cittavini members, but if you are interested, please do join us! You can RSVP in the link 🌳

Olivia’s Cozze al Forno recipe is up on the ‘stack plus a bunch of insight on what wine to pair with them AND discount codes for the Cittavino Wine Shop.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​“these are addictive”~ literally every person that tries them

This recipe is for paid subscribers because let’s face it, Olivia worked her 🍑 off on this recipe and I work my 🫠 off on all that is Cittavino. Please consider becoming a member and supporting this lady duo - we’re going places and want you to come with! 🧳 🚂

but if you’re not ready just yet to commit to the $5/mo, we do dish out valuable free info and it does make our ♥️ 🎶 when a “new subscriber” notification pops up, paid or not.

Next on the stack: Verona and Bologna travel tips ✈️

A presto!

➡️ 20 effing years and 🇮🇹 still won’t let me have it… c’mon!​​​​​​​​​.​​​​​​​​​.
“Wow you speak Italian so well… but you can still hear your American accent.”

➡️ 20 effing years and 🇮🇹 still won’t let me have it… c’mon!
“Wow you speak Italian so well… but you can still hear the American accent.”

Link 🌳 to RSVP​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sicily and even specifically, Mt. Etna, was/is an in demand territory- its invasions from various groups, from the Phoenicians to the Greeks to the Arabs, have all left a lasting impact on the culture and the wine!

People have been drawn to the volcano for thousands of years, each group leaving their mark. In the 1800s, when winemaking took a technological and more serious turn, that we universally attribute to the French, Etna was one of the first zones to hop on board the innovation. Like Barolo, it was even thought that Mt. Etna wines would contribute somehow to the Unification of Italy- bringing together cultural traditions from the North and South.

In this class, we will geek out over some very cool historical information (did you know that grape growing used to be on the West side of the Volcano?) as well as open bottles of those keeping the experimental tradition on the Volcano alive via winemaking and incorporation of different grape varieties, that while may not be considered "native" to the area, have some pretty serious historical significance.

🗺️ MAPS- the Cittavino & Co. map as well as the
✅soil map of Etna
✅Consorzio Contrade map

🔑 takeaways:

🥂Sparkling wine tradition on Mt. Etna

🍇 “non native" grape varieties and what they inform us about the cosmopolitan heritage of Mt. Etna

📚 How Mt. Etna wine plays into the larger history of Italy Unification, and why, ultimately, Barolo came to rule the Italian wine world.

💫 Prominent producers, their contribution to the Etna Renaissance- why it’s important to know them

15% of sales will be donated to World Central Kitchen and MAP- Medical Aid for Palestinians, for relief efforts on Gaza. Please consider donating more- your extra donation will 100% go to these organizations.

Appreciation post 🚨​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​I have been studying the Italian language for over a span of almost 20 years 😱 - but before I jumped fully into my Italian wine career, I was always in and out, taking year long breaks from speaking or reading. When I would travel, I felt frustrated that I couldn’t just jump into it- “I swear I speak Italian!” Feeling embarrassed that people would still think I needed help translating- embarrassed to the point where I wouldn’t even try 😞

In 2020 I made one of the best decisions of my life and I began taking lessons with Georgia. Our weekly lessons turned into weekly hang outs, where we’d just talk about life (in Italian- hello vocab surge!). We have been consistently hanging out for 4 years now, and our friendship is one I cherish. Giorgia has helped me not just with my language, but my business and the confidence to conduct a great part of it in a foreign country and a foreign language.

When I fear what I’m doing isn’t enough, or “I’ll never get there”, my choice to commit to Italian is on stand by to jump in as my reference point. I did it with my language, why can’t I do it with my business? It’s real time proof that persistence and showing up and doing the work pays off, every time. Start now and make the commitment to always get back on the 🐴

If you’re looking to learn a language (no it’s not too late and yes you can absolutely do it!), apps programs are ok to a point, but nothing can take the place of human interaction and having a real-time conversation with someone. If you’re like me, meeting someone new and exposing them to your faults (terrified of sounding like an idiot) is vulnerable and terrifying. So we look to avoid it. I look to avoid it. But in forcing myself into a career that forces me to confront that discomfort, I’ve opened doors into learning about myself and dealing with my 💩

Want to take lessons with this Roman Goddess? DM me!

Today is Easter, but it’s also Caesar Chavez Day. ​​​​​​​​​I’ve been thinking a lot about our obsession with wine- where it comes, the cult of the winemaker. But wine comes from 🍇 , which are grown by farmers. Why don’t we have the same obsession with our food? Of course Farmer’s Markets give us an opportunity to engage directly with the farmer, but do we have the same reverence for that kind of farm work as we do winemaking? ​​​​​​​​​
In my own obsession over meeting farmers and winemakers and learning about their work in the fields, their land, I’ve embarked on a similar journey with my food. I want to honor and know the people that provide me with sustenance. I’ve been thinking on this conundrum for a long while- I’m not exactly sure how it will manifest in Cittavino for the long term, but linking our food and wine and finding the fascination in food as I do my wine, connecting us back to the source and our providers has become what this company is about. It’s not about checking off boxes: organic grapes, low sulfur… it’s about the people too. And nature. And finding all places in which the two overlap. Or maybe they don’t overlap, maybe they’re the same?

I’m so pumped to continue exploring this space with , who values local food culture- shops at LA markets, strikes up convo with the farmers. We’re working behind the 🎬 on more pop ups, stay tuned…

If you want to catch one of Olivia’s recipes from our Festa della Donna pop up, where we featured 🦪 we’ll be posting it on the Substack for paid members this week.

Today is Easter, but it’s also Caesar Chavez Day. ​​​​​​​​
I’ve been thinking a lot about our obsession with wine- where it comes, the cult of the winemaker. But wine comes from 🍇 , which are grown by farmers. Why don’t we have the same obsession with our food? Of course Farmer’s Markets give us an opportunity to engage directly with the farmer, but do we have the same reverence for that kind of farm work as we do winemaking? ​​​​​​​​
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In my own obsession over meeting farmers and winemakers and learning about their work in the fields, their land, I’ve embarked on a similar journey with my food. I want to honor and know the people that provide me with sustenance. I’ve been thinking on this conundrum for a long while- I’m not exactly sure how it will manifest in Cittavino for the long term, but linking our food and wine and finding the fascination in food as I do my wine, connecting us back to the source and our providers has become what this company is about. It’s not about checking off boxes: organic grapes, low sulfur… it’s about the people too. And nature. And finding all places in which the two overlap. Or maybe they don’t overlap, maybe they’re the same?​​​​​​​​
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I’m so pumped to continue exploring this space with , who values local food culture- shops at LA markets, strikes up convo with the farmers. We’re working behind the 🎬 on more pop ups, stay tuned…​​​​​​​​
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If you want to catch one of Olivia’s recipes from our Festa della Donna pop up, where we featured 🦪 we’ll be posting it on the Substack for paid members this week. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

In 2018 I embarked on a jounrey to Mt. Etna to work a harvest with Ciro and Stef Biondi because as a wine professional I wanted to be able to explain the nuances of this zone. To say a wine comes from volcanic soils wasn’t and isn’t enough for me. At that time, there was no map of the region. Nothing to even delineate the zone and its communes. So I made one. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​I have been travelling and studying the area for 6 years, spending significant time with producers and pioneers like Ben Spencer. I keep my finger on the pulse and am probably one of a handful of Americans that can speak this in-depth about the region. I never toot my 📯, but because I have invested so damn much of my time and life in educating myself on this region I’ll do it today.
🔑 takeaways:

🌋 Mt. Etna’s eruptive patterns and how eruptions of the ancient past influence today’s wine- we’re going side by side with wines from different soil types
🍇 grape varieties and their history in the region
💫 Prominent producers, their contribution to the Etna Renaissance- why it’s important to know them
📚 History of the region starting from the Crusades and how it applies to the DOC politics
🗺️ the Cittavino Co map, the Consorzio Contrada map, the epic soil map.
🍷 popping 10 wines, most high end

In 👯‍♀️: arancini and 🧀 and other Sicilian snacks!

💻 Online: first 10 people will receive a slice of the Saffron and peppercorn Piacentinu Ennese

Link 🌳 has the full wine line ups
This is also a fundraiser for relief efforts in Gaza. Let’s raise 💵 AND geek the eff out on Etna.

So many beautiful photos from this event. I couldn’t choose, so I’ll just keep posting.

I know many people feel that is their soulmate, but I’m claiming her as the arancina to my catarratto.

I promised myself that this year I’d follow what brings me joy- pulling off events like this take an enormous amount of energy an honestly, aren’t money makers, but the moral and light our Festa delle Donna event hit me like ⚡️

Look at all the beautiful people, the food provided to us by the sweat and passion of local farmers, the wine made by bad a$$ women

So many people jumped in to make this happen 📸 , and the collective joy has given so much energy.

We are scheming on the next one, Bay Area. It was too rad to not recreate.

International Women’s Day was in the making since the turn of the 19th century. This was the time of women’s suffrage movements and labor strikes, where women were demanding better pay and shorter hours.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The moment was actually considered Socialist and Communist aligned, it was Russia to first officially adopt March 8th as their IWD- women campaigned against the War, held rallies, and were coming together in record breaking masses.

The UN did not official adopt International Women’s Day until 1975.

In Italy, they officialized the commemoration in 1946, just a year after the end if WWII. They picked the mimosa flower, in part because of its March seasonality, but also because of its resilience- the flower can stay beautiful and alive over a period of weeks.

The female body is a force to be reckoned with and for that reason, is a constant threat to insecure expressions of power. it withstands all kinds of societal projections, and in hard times often becomes the symbol for territory and the need to dominate. It is also the source of life. Damn… a power that when unleashed is unstoppable.

The war on Palestine 🇵🇸 has made the start to this year heavy, when so many of us have been trying to still crawl out of the pandemic. Palestinian women can’t even rally with their own bodies because they can only focus on keeping them breathing and functioning, making it to the next day. I’ve been at a real loss as to what to do and what to contribute, especially when you your own country’s leaders don’t speak up or help make your voice, the people’s voice, heard. I’m working up some fundraising ideas, stay tuned…

Right now, I’m in awe all the women - women I never even knew, who are part of the lineage that carried me to this present moment. You are the culmination of everything before you and that’s incredible and powerful- you have power.

Our Festa della Donna celebration is just one week away! Snag your tickets for all you can eat and drink all’aperto- wines from woman winemakers, Sicilian street food tasting menu by your favorite chefista ​​​​​​​​
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We’re setting up an outdoor cafe’ / come with your favorite women, make a lady friend, or come with the dudes and support two small female run businesses and women winemakers!​​​​​​​​
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On the menu:​​​​​​​​
Arancini​​​​​​​​
Stuffed Clams ​​​​​​​​
Calamari​​​​​​​​
Cannoli ​​​​​​​​
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Ooo yes, and we have an exclusive Calabrian wine release by ​​​​​​​​
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We’ve been working hard to get this wine to the US and will be popping the wine for the first time at the event! No where else in America can you try this super artigianale (artisanal) juice. It’s worth it- Calabria’s reputation for amazing wines will only grow, and it’s starting with wine like Gianni’s. Current Calabresi selections in the states are few, and honestly, most of them 💩. Let me show you what a natural wine made with precision and care tastes like!​​​​​​​​
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Tickets via the Cittavino & Co. website and link 🌳

all things Puglia, all the time…​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Negro Amaro 🍇

This grape dude grows in the southern portion of the region. Certainly, it can make an appearance further North and in other regions, but it’s not common and wine DOCS/denominations do not pay homage to it as they do in the Salento.

Does “amaro” mean bitter, in this grape name? It could, but according to it is a derivative of the Greek word “mavros” which also means “black” . Is it green in origin? Likely, but of course, nothing it 💯 known

It’s disease and drought resistant, especially great for Puglia’s hotter lowlands. In chatting with producers, it is Brettanomyces prone, and that “barnyard” note often considered a characteristic of the grape is from the Brett. In what quantities is the brett acceptable? well, that’s up to you.

didn’t want any, so they took the wild strain of yeast that present on the Negro Amaro grape bloom and now cultivate it because it helps keep Brett levels low (also love this dialogue because for dogmatic believers in spontaneous fermentation, where does cultivating a wild yeast strain fall in your criteria?)
cantina.copertino_ , who makes aged Copertino Rosso based on Negro Amaro, often have a little brett in the wines, and frankly, I don’t mind! It’s an iconic wine and the profile is suiting to the rustic nature of the wine- I’m super into it and it certainly doesn’t affect the ageability of the wines.

In what other wines do you often taste brett, and are you down with it? ⬇️

Hey folks! Are you around Sunday March 10th? We’ll be throwing a Sicilian sand Calabrian themed pop up - celebrating female wine makers and ladies in the food and wine industry.

Sicilian street food tasting menu, Sicilian wines, and an exclusive Calabrian wine release!

Outdoors, casual, but top notch, cult status, food, wine, DJ. Tickets available on the linked event!

~Emilia, owner Cittavino & Co.- wine shop dedicated to small production, southern Italian wines

We’re back! And it’s for a Sicilian street food, tutta femme afternoon and evening.
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Come hang all’fresco (outside) with us while we cook for you and pour you woman made wines until you can’t take it anymore! Olivia is working up a Sicilian street food style menu, preserving kumquats alla Los Angelista and scouting out the best 🦑 at the fish markets.
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We also have a very exciting exclusive wine release! wine hit the dock this week and you will be literally the first people in the United States to pop the bottles! Pairing his Gaglioppo ‘Juru’ wine with sausages made with his own mamma’s dried 🌶️ that yours truly smuggled back in a 🧳.
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We’re vibing like the photos- tasting menu caliber served in passed plates, picnic style, with music tunes by 🎶DJ computer.grl. Bed in bed by 9pm
Take your lady out, bring your mom too!

Tickets are live on our website!
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The cooking school in Lecce has been filling hearts and tummies since 2003. The school focuses on Pugliese cuisine, and even more specifically, the Salento (southern Puglia), as they only source ingredients and wines from the hyperlocal area.
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Food nourishes us but more than just in nutrients-it tells the story of humanity. The cooking school takes you through market and city strolls because the history is an inextricable part of the class- learn why chicory isn’t just an alternative to spinach, but a culinary staple and symbol of 400yrs of civil disobedience. A cooking school for people who want to know the real Puglia (Salento), rather than glaze over on a superficial tourist experience.
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🦐 Eat the fruits of your labor, drink some of the worlds best Rosato wines, all while taking in the super cute and characterful tiled floors, hanging cafetière, and Italian ceramics.
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💫 The stagione (season) is already on its way and bookings for Spring and Summer are filling up fast. If you’re traveling to Puglia, make sure to book a class! If you need help with your booking and want to combine it with other Pugliese experiences 🏖️ you know where to find me.

Been playing again with 🎞️ 📷 and I have no idea how these colors came through with such low lighting 🌈… I’m sure Silvestro will let you take your engagement photos there after class 😉

Bruno… Somehow, without ever meeting in person, you’ve managed to have a lasting impact on me. At peak pandemic shut down, we were all mess, turning to social media to connect with each other, but in a real way- strangers DMed each other, rallying behind one another’s cause, to actually collaborate and make something happen, fast! You were so ready to rally and hit the ground running. I will never forget your generosity and willingness to jump in on with me and , no questions asked.

Your passion for Portuguese wines-you first introduced me to Filipa Pato! a now household name for us wineos. Her sparkling wine lives behind the counter of Paul Marcus Wines and I see it daily. Every time there is the split second reminder of you, which will never leave me, and how a chance encounter with someone can change your life forever. You were a pioneer my friend, your direction undoubtedly gave me confidence to pursue niche topics and the underdogs. Your inspiration will live on in those that were blessed to meet you.

Bruno’s family is raising money on Go Fund Me, you can access the link in our link 🌳 - he has no relatives in the States, aside from his 15yr old son whom he leaves behind. If you knew him, knew of him, please consider donating something.

Dreaming of clear waters, aperol spritzes, fritto misto and wine tastings in legit Medieval castles? 🏰 🥂
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We’re here to help you plan your trip to Puglia!
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It’s a soft launch and more info will trickle onto the website pian piano (slowly), but that doesn’t mean we’re not ready to go full force in planning your trip.
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If you’d like more information on what Cittavino & Co. can offer you on your vacation to 🏖️ Paradiso in Puglia, send us a DM or check out our link 🌳 to send us an email!
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1. Ostuni, La Città Bianca
2. Torre del Orso, Lecce
3. Santa Maria Assunta, Ostuni
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Working on lots of things, but this year I’ve decided to take a deep dive🤿 focus on just a few regions, the first being Puglia.

To many wine professionals that have grown up in the world of competitive, fast paced one-upmanship, Puglia is a lackluster region not worthy of their attention. There are some of us who beg to differ 🙋🏻‍♀️ PUGLIA HAS TERROIR! And the reason you don’t know about it is because of the misconceptions of those mentioned above.

I’ve been deeply exploring Puglia for going on 7 years now, and each time I go I discover something new and exciting.

Puglia is on the rise. It’s wines are stunning, but you do have to know where to look 🔍as like many southern Italian regions, they are battling the bulk wine reputation.

This month, Cittavino members received wines from leaders in the Puglia 🍷 AND agricultural 🌿🍇scene. We took a special focus on and after visiting them in October, why? Stay 📺 for our expose’ on these radical producers.

Part due 2 of 3 of ‘s Valentine’s Day Menu
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Olivia made this Chicory Salad for our pop up last June, and since it has become my go to. The crunchy and bitter chicory with the undertone of umami from the anchovy, the tangy pickled shallots make it so dang satiating. I actually like to make a big jar of this dressing and keep it on hand in the fridge so I can whip up this full-sensory 🥗 anytime I want.
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We’ve paired this salad with L’Archetipo Marasco bubbles- high acid for needs high acid wine 🥂 and this obscure gem made from the Maresco grape by the Dibenedetto family in Castellaneta has stolen our ♥️

Chicory Salad live on the ‘Stack today! Make sure you’re subscribed. Check on the link 🌳

Valentine’s Day may not be an epic holiday, commercialized to the max with cheap and 💩 chocolates that are more 🕯️ than🍫

…but letting someone know you love them and are thinking about them is pretty sweet.
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Cittavino & Co. is trying a new thing this year-
WINE GRAMS 💌🥂
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You can send a bottle of vino to someone, with a love note of yours, bottles picked on their personality! And yes I ordered heart ♥️ stickers from Etsy to put on the outside of the box. I couldn’t help myself, I love a good sticker.
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Fill out a 1 min form, and I’ll literally take care of the rest.
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…those glasses are def getting knocked over
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Check out the link 🌳 for the form- it’s fast, straightforward, and you know the wine selections are 🔥

🍝 Spaghetti All’Assassina
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It’s the perfect meal that takes a little love and care, but also won’t keep you at the stove all night. So make it with your lover (or friend, roommate, cat, or in sweet solitude!) and dream of Puglia.
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A classic pasta from Bari, there are many stories of how this dish got it’s name. Literally translated, Spaghetti all’assassina means “assassin’s spaghetti.” The most commonly told origin of the name is that it refers to the heat level of the dish, which is traditionally much hotter than would be preferred by the majority of Italian palettes—save perhaps only for the Calabrese and Pugliese 🌶️
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You’ll spend some time at the stove oohing and ahhing as your pan-fried pasta changes shape, but once you wrap your head around the technique (referred to as “risotatta” in Italian, or in the style of risotto) it’s actually quite a simple pasta with a totally manageable number of ingredients.
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Check out our Substack LINK IN BIO for the full recipe and wine pairing suggestions (juicy Primitivo 🍇 please!)
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We’ll be rolling out the full San Valentino menu in the next few days, stay 📺