04/13/2026
Even on my ‘day off’ I just want to briefly highlight two really exceptional recent arrivals to the store and encourage our wonderful community to take a bit of a leap past your usual bottle. The two bottles — Marco Fay’s ‘Tei’ Nebbiolo from Valtellina, Italy and Noelia de Paz‘s ‘Trasto’ Albarin (not Albariño) from Leon, Spain — are worth it.
Both winemakers graciously stopped by the store in the last month or so to showcase their impressive portfolios. Although from totally different wine growing regions and countries, and wine styles, the wines share a common thread of authentic, passionate (and humble) artisans behind them working with a true loyalty to the unique terroir and agricultural traditions that shape both areas.
Paz’s Albarin is such a bright, energetic white wine that deeply reflects the vibrant personality of Noelia who I was lucky enough to meet in store last month. It’s its own thing, truly; you can’t really figure out whether the wine’s pulsating citrus notes, stony backbone, or the almond and saline ‘rhythm section’ is what makes the wine such a pleasure. It feels complete, a thorough introduction to this intriguing local grape.
Fay’s Nebbiolo is an alpine gem and pushes you to reconsider what you always assumed about Nebbiolo and piedmont. It’s pretty, delicate, laced with almost these floating, airy red fruits and deft minerality, and it’s like nothing you’ve had from Langhe. It’s Nebbiolo floating way above the tree-line...if you will..
Anyway, I hope you stop by soon and share my pure delight in bringing these in to grape collective.
-Ari
