Italian Winemaker Event featuring Prua of Liguria
Friday May 9, 2025 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
At this Italian Wine tasting event, you will meet winemaker Filippo Ruffino who owns Vigneti a Prua, a small, family owned & operated, organic wine producer in Liguria, Italy. Prua's vineyards are located on terraced limestone cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea, in an area known as the Italian Riviera. Filippo uses regenerative farming practices to improve the health of his vineyards and the environment, as well as organic farming practices which increase biodiversity and rebuild soil organic matter. From his tiny vineyards in Albenga, Filippo takes care of his vines by hand and in all seasons.
We will taste his Vermentino with a bright, effusive, mouth-filling essence of salty minerals and white fruits that we tasted and positively loved on Christmas Eve during a Seven Fishes feast. We will taste another white from a rare grape named Pigato which is also super clean and fresh. And the red will be the most perfect Summer red we can think of! Rossese is an ancient grape in Liguria thought to have been brought by the Greeks and cultivated by the Etruscans on the west coast of Italy. A renowned red for pairing with seafood, especially tuna, or with cheese & charcuterie, risotto, roasted white meats and vegetables.
Liguria is a narrow, crescent-moon-like slice of geography tucked away in northwestern Italy. Lying between the Ligurian Sea and the Alps and Appenine mountains, Liguria runs from France in the west, down from Piedmont in the north, backed by Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany to the east, with 350km of coastline pressing against the Ligurian Sea.
As Liguria’s territory consists of 65% mountainous terrain, there is not much flat land suited to the growing of wine grapes. Oftentimes, growers must necessarily carry out their work upon high terraces carved from steep, rocky slopes. Inclines can be such that mechanized work is simply impossible. Inclines can be so steep, in fact, that in some cases, transporting grapes must be done by monorail. Given the breakneck physical profile of many Ligurian vineyards and the difficulty encountered in working them, the wines of Liguria are nothing short of a cultural triumph. It’s not for nothing that the term ‘heroic viticulture’ has become so aptly associated with wine production in the region.
Interestingly, Liguria’s high slopes do provide an important benefit by protecting seaside vineyards from cold winds which blow down from the Alps. The ring of slopes that sit just inland of the Ligurian coastline, together with the sea, keep Liguria’s climate pretty mild year round. Winter temperatures can average 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit, 70-75 degrees during summer. Important aspects of Ligurian terroir can include soils high in limestone which confer a sense of minerality to the wines, as well as the influence of sea breezes which can imbue wines with a rather typical and delicious note of sea salt.
We hope to see you!
Saluti! La Famiglia Murray
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Vigneti a Prua Vermentino Di Albenga 2023 750ml |
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This white is made of 100% Vermentino from Rivera Ligure di Ponente. The vineyards are composed of 6 hectares owned by the Ruffino family located on the Riviera Ligure Ponente or the coast of the setting sun. The terrain is reddish, aluminum-rich, calcareous clay which gives a special minerality and richness to the wine. The vineyards are between 150-300 meters above sea level. The vines are around 20 years old. Sea breezes aerate the vines and cool them during the night which enhances the aromatics. The harvest is done 100% by hand in late September/ early October. Pair with shellfish, fish, appetizers and light pasta dishes. Look for an inviting bouquet filled with apricots and subtle tropical fruits such a pineapple and intertwined with rosemary and thyme. In the mouth, you will find freshness and appeal with great minerality, bright tropical fruits. There is a touch of the sea in the wine. The finish is persistent and inviting.
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$32.99Buy Now |
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Vigneti a Prua Riviera Ligure Di Ponente Rossese 2023 750ml |
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Owner/winemaker Filippo Ruffino takes care of his vines by hand and in all seasons. He makes this ruby red Rossese with a rich bouquet of cherries, cassis, violets and roses. Surprisingly powerful yet utterly delicate and refined, it has a beautiful balance between ripe fruit, dried herbs, botanicals and tannins. Rossese is an ancient grape thought to have been brought by the ancient Greeks and cultivated by the Etruscans on the west coast of Italy. A renowned red for pairing with seafood, especially tuna, or with cheese & charcuterie, risotto, roasted white meats and vegetables. |
$34.99Buy Now |