About Luís Henrique & Talise Zanini

Luís Henrique and Talise Zanini are a Brazilian winemaking couple based in Bento Gonçalves, in the Vale dos Vinhedos region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Luís Henrique, a celebrated enologist, founded Vallontano Vinhos Nobres in 1999, inspired by his work with the Montille family in Burgundy, where he embraced minimal-intervention winemaking. Talise, whose family introduced Luís to viticulture, is a key partner in their ventures. Together, they also run Era dos Ventos, a natural wine project started in 2008 with Álvaro Escher and Pedro Hermeto, focusing on low-intervention wines, notably the Peverella, a rare grape revived from near extinction. Their wines, crafted with organic and biodynamic practices, reflect the terroir of Serra Gaúcha, earning international acclaim for their poetic, artisanal quality.

Winemaking Philosophy

  • Organic and Low-Intervention Practices: Vallontano employs non-interventionist methods, preserving the natural characteristics of grapes through organic farming (though not always certified). Era dos Ventos goes further, producing natural wines without added sulfites, commercial yeasts, or filtration, using biodynamic principles.

  • Natural Winemaking: Vallontano wines are vinified with native yeasts, minimal sulfites, and careful barrel aging to highlight terroir. Era dos Ventos wines, like the Peverella (an orange wine fermented with skins), are unfiltered, unfined, and sulfite-free, showcasing raw, expressive profiles.

  • Grape Varieties and Cuvées:

    • Vallontano:

      • Talise Brut (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling Itálico): A Charmat-method sparkling wine, fresh and versatile, with delicate perlage.

      • Talise Pinot Noir (2019): Light, aromatic, with wild berry notes and subtle oak.

      • Talise Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, elegant, with tropical fruit and minerality.

      • LH Zanini Tinto: A unique blend using appassimento, rich and complex.

      • Vallontano Brut and Moscatel: Classic sparklings with regional typicity.

    • Era dos Ventos:

      • Peverella (orange wine): Amber-hued, with floral, stone fruit, and tannic notes, from a rare Italian grape.

      • Cabernet Franc (2021, 580 bottles): Meditative, with red fruit and earthy depth, featuring a poetic label by Luís.


 

  • Retailers

    Since their projects are based in Brazil, many of the retailers are also located there or are specialized importers.

    • Vinci: This Brazilian retailer carries a selection of their wines, including the "Talise" Pinot Noir.

    • DiVinho: This online retailer has a blog post about Luís Henrique Zanini and sells his wines, including those from Vallontano.

    • Feira Naturebas: This is a Brazilian fair and directory for natural wines that lists the couple and their project, Era dos Ventos. Their website is a good resource to find more about their wines.

    • Vallontano Vinhos Nobres Webshop: The most direct way to purchase their wines is from their own online store.