The Breath of Nature
Stella di Lemmen is the organic and biodynamic farm and vineyard of Lucia and Diego, perched on a small plateau overlooking the Ligurian Sea within the Cinque Terre National Park. It is a project of restoration, resilience, and reverence — not merely a winery, but a philosophy of cooperation with nature rather than domination. Lucia is the tireless heart of the estate, a visionary who discovered an abandoned, fire-damaged rural settlement in 2014 and, within fifteen minutes, committed her heart, skills, and resources to reviving it. The ancient settlement of Lemmen — legend says founded by Greek refugees in the eighth century — had been abandoned for over 50 years and partly damaged by fire in 2011. Today, Stella di Lemmen spreads across four hectares on steep, terraced slopes at 350–400 meters above sea level, with southwest exposure and strong maritime influence. Over 6,000 square meters of dry stone walls have been restored by hand using traditional techniques. The vineyard covers 2 hectares, planted with indigenous white varieties Vermentino, Bosco, and Albarola, alongside experimental reds Grenache and Canaiolo. Everything is done by hand: rebuilding terraces, maintaining walls, pruning, harvesting. No weed killers, no synthetic fertilizers, no mechanization possible. The result is a small production of around 6,000 bottles annually — wines of lightness, clarity, and unmistakable sea character: Limen, 112358, Astro, and Caligo — that capture the light and freshness of the Mediterranean and speak of a place where human perseverance and natural beauty exist in fragile, magnificent harmony.
Restoration, Resilience & Reverence
The story of Stella di Lemmen is a story of vision meeting wilderness — of one woman's instant, irrevocable connection to a place that chose her, rather than the other way around. Lucia, together with her partner Diego, discovered Lemmen in 2014 while searching for a farm where she could enjoy tranquility and nature. What they found was not a ready-made estate but a rugged, abandoned hillside: brambles over three meters high, burned logs from a 2011 fire, and the skeletal remains of an ancient rural settlement that had been left untended for more than 50 years. There was no driveway, no infrastructure, no viticultural heritage to inherit — only the raw, wild beauty of a place that had once been cultivated and then forgotten. "I didn't choose this — it chose me," Lucia would later say, pointing to the rocky slope that would become their life's work. Within fifteen minutes of their first inspection, she had decided to purchase the first dwelling. The magic and vibrations of the place were irresistible.
The settlement of Lemmen — originally called Limen — carries a legendary history. Founded, it is said, in the eighth century by a group of Greek fleeing refugees, its inhabitants would later give rise to the town of Riomaggiore, one of the five iconic villages of the Cinque Terre. This deep historical resonance, combined with the absolute neglect of the site, gave Lucia and Diego the chance to define their own agricultural manifesto from a blank slate: to preserve and give value to the tenacious work of those who preceded them; to respect nature by cooperating with it rather than operating upon it; to support biodiversity and minimize environmental impact; and to abandon entirely the use of weed killers and synthetic fertilizers. Every building material had to be brought in by helicopter or monorail. Every terrace had to be carved from the hillside. Every stone wall had to be stacked by hand without mortar. It was, and remains, a project of extraordinary physical and philosophical commitment.
Today, Stella di Lemmen is a vibrant, biodynamic farm thriving against all odds on the eastern edge of the Cinque Terre National Park. The estate spreads across four hectares, exposed towards the southwest, on a small upland overlooking the Ligurian Sea. The primary goal remains the requalification and protection of this enchanting corner of the universe — a place that lavishes peace and beauty at every glance and instills a deep respect towards the nature that surrounds and supports it. Lucia, Diego, and their family feel like passing guests in this place, honored to be its temporary keepers, knowing there will be no future if we don't start to give value and respect to our land in every aspect. The project has grown into a bigger picture involving the whole family, supported by a small synergic group of tenacious and motivated people — experts of the territory and organic wine — and Lucia's sons, who represent the new generation.
Stella di Lemmen has earned recognition from The Grape Reset, VinNatur, James Suckling (who awarded the Astro 2022 94 points), and a growing network of international visitors who make the steep hike down the hillside to discover what has been built here. The estate is not merely a winery — it is a philosophy, a story of wild land transformed by vision, courage, and love. You come for the wine, but you leave with something more: a sense of wonder, a slower heartbeat, and a reminder of what matters. The wines — Limen, 112358, Astro, and Caligo — are not merely beverages; they are stories of a family, a hillside, a sea breeze that has blown for millennia, and a conviction that a life in harmony with nature is a life in harmony with ourselves.
"A life in harmony with nature is a life in harmony with ourselves."
— Lucia, Stella di Lemmen
Cinque Terre Terraces & Maritime Extremity
Stella di Lemmen's vineyards are located in the Cinque Terre National Park, on the heights above Riomaggiore, Liguria — a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for the "harmonious interaction between people and nature." The estate sits on a small plateau at 350–400 meters above sea level, with southwest exposure and strong, constant influence from the nearby Ligurian Sea. This is not gentle viticulture: the slopes are steep, the terraces narrow, the work entirely manual. No tractor, no harvester, no mechanized tool can navigate these terraces. Everything — from rebuilding dry stone walls to pruning vines to harvesting grapes — is done by hand, by a small, dedicated team led by Lucia. The vineyard covers 2 hectares within a total estate of 4 hectares, a deliberately small scale that allows for meticulous attention to every vine, every terrace, every stone.
The terroir is defined by its extraordinary maritime proximity and its terraced architecture. The Ligurian Sea provides constant ventilation, moderating temperatures, reducing humidity-related diseases, and imparting a distinct saline freshness to the wines. The vineyards are cultivated on terracing at almost 350 meters from the sea, where the wind is rich with salty air. The southwest exposure captures the full warmth of the Mediterranean sun, ensuring full phenolic ripeness and aromatic development, while the altitude provides cooling breezes and excellent ventilation that preserve acidity and freshness. The soils are a mix of coastal deposits, clay, and rocky fragments held in place by the dry stone walls — well-drained, mineral-rich, and forcing the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients. The result is a terroir of remarkable intensity: warm enough for red varieties like Grenache to thrive, yet cool and ventilated enough for the delicate white varieties Bosco and Albarola to express their full, subtle character.
Farming at Stella di Lemmen is certified organic and practiced biodynamically, with a philosophy that emphasizes cooperation with nature rather than domination. No chemical pesticides, no synthetic herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. The vineyard is often grassed and enriched by the presence of green manure, treated only with natural pesticides, and surrounded by numerous other plantations where families of bees and hens freely move around, creating an agricultural multifunctional organism. Hedges and native species are planted around the vines to create biodiversity corridors. Cover crops are maintained between rows to preserve soil structure, prevent erosion on the steep slopes, and encourage a rich soil life. The focus is on creating a self-regulating ecosystem where the vineyard and its surrounding environment exist in harmony. The harvest is entirely manual, with careful selection of only the healthiest, most expressive bunches — each one picked by hand and carried up or down the steep hillside. Lucia personally oversees every aspect of the viticultural cycle, ensuring that the grapes that enter the cellar are of the highest quality and express the unique character of the Lemmen terroir.
The grape varieties are a focused selection of indigenous Ligurian treasures and carefully chosen experimental reds, all adapted to the extreme maritime terroir of the Cinque Terre. The whites include Bosco — the great white grape of the Cinque Terre, prized for its body, saline character, and ability to express the rugged coastal terroir — Albarola, a delicate, aromatic native variety of Liguria that adds freshness and floral complexity, and Vermentino, the Mediterranean white of extraordinary adaptability, body, and maritime charm. The reds include Grenache and Canaiolo — varieties that have found a remarkable home in the warm, sunny, well-drained terraces of Lemmen, producing wines of depth and a distinct Mediterranean edge. Together, these varieties form a small but diverse portfolio that expresses the full range of the Cinque Terre terroir — from crisp, mineral whites to structured, savory reds — each one a pure, honest expression of place and Lucia's commitment to cooperation with nature.
Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria. UNESCO World Heritage site. Small plateau at 350–400 meters above sea level. Southwest exposure. Strong maritime influence from Ligurian Sea. Terraced vineyards on steep slopes. Over 6,000 square meters of hand-restored dry stone walls using traditional techniques. No mechanization possible — all work by hand. Ancient settlement of Lemmen (founded 8th century by Greek refugees). Abandoned for 50+ years, fire-damaged in 2011. Extraordinary biodiversity at soil and plant level due to terracing and coastal weather conditions.
Mix of coastal deposits, clay, and rocky fragments held by dry stone walls. Well-drained, mineral-rich. Maritime influence imparts distinct saline freshness and minerality. Southwest exposure captures full Mediterranean sun. Altitude provides cooling breezes and excellent ventilation. Steep slopes force deep root systems. Green manure and grassing between rows. Distinctive Cinque Terre character: freshness, minerality, maritime salinity, intense light. UNESCO-recognized "harmonious interaction between people and nature."
Certified organic, practiced biodynamically. No weed killers, no synthetic fertilizers, no chemical pesticides. Cooperation with nature rather than domination. Vineyard grassed and enriched with green manure. Natural pesticides only. Surrounded by olive trees, vegetable gardens, shrubs, fruit trees (citrus, almond, peach, apple, fig, pear), herbs, medicinal herbs, and flowers. Bees and free-ranging hens create agricultural multifunctional organism. Biodiversity corridors with hedges and native species. Self-regulating ecosystem approach. Manual harvest with careful selection. Lucia oversees every aspect. Small scale allows meticulous attention.
White — Bosco (great Cinque Terre white, body, saline character, coastal expression), Albarola (delicate, aromatic native Ligurian variety, freshness, floral complexity), Vermentino (Mediterranean white, adaptability, body, maritime charm). Red — Grenache (international, warmth, fruit, Mediterranean character), Canaiolo (traditional Tuscan/Ligurian red, elegance, softness). All hand-harvested from terraced vineyards. Indigenous yeast fermentation. Vegan/vegetarian suitable. Experimental approach with different vessels: steel, amphorae, barrique.
Lightness, Clarity & Sea Character
At Stella di Lemmen, the cellar philosophy is one of minimal intervention, absolute respect for the natural character of the grapes, and a deep commitment to capturing the essence of this extraordinary place — the light, the freshness, the unmistakable breath of the sea. Lucia and Diego believe that wine should be a pure expression of the Cinque Terre terroir, with no forced corrections, no industrial shortcuts, and no masking of the grape's natural character. Their approach is attentive to detail, grounded in seeing the vineyard as part of a larger ecosystem, and committed to allowing the wine to develop its own character with the minimum of human interference. The result is a small portfolio of wines — Limen, 112358, Astro, and Caligo — that are bright, fresh, deeply expressive, and unmistakably connected to the maritime breezes, the terraced slopes, and the intense Mediterranean light that defines the Lemmen terroir.
The techniques are minimal, respectful, and deeply informed by the estate's commitment to organic and biodynamic principles. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The wines are suitable for a vegetarian and vegan diet, reflecting the purity of their production. Sulfur is kept to a minimum or eliminated entirely, allowing the wine's natural character to shine. The choice of vessels — stainless steel tanks, amphorae, and old barriques — is made according to the wine, the vintage, and Lucia's intuition, always in service of the wine's natural expression. The stainless steel preserves freshness, primary fruit, and vibrant acidity. The amphorae allow for gentle oxygen exchange and a kind of waxy, mineral texture that speaks of ancient traditions. The old barriques add subtle complexity and structure without imposing oak flavors. The result is a portfolio of wines that are unmistakably Stella di Lemmen — alive, authentic, deeply connected to the maritime soul of the Cinque Terre, and to Lucia's conviction that the best wines come from the most honest cooperation with nature.
"Limen" — The Foundational White: Limen is Stella di Lemmen's first wine and foundational white — the cuvée that established the estate's reputation and encapsulates its core philosophy. The name evokes the ancient settlement itself (Limen was the original name of Lemmen) and the threshold between land and sea. Made from a blend of Bosco, Albarola, and Vermentino — the three great white varieties of the Cinque Terre — it is a wine designed to catch the essence of this place and recreate the light and freshness of the sea in the glass. The grapes are hand-harvested from the estate's terraced, biodynamically cultivated vineyards, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged in stainless steel to preserve maximum freshness and clarity. No fining, no filtration. Minimal sulfur. In the glass, it is pale straw with luminous green reflections. The nose offers citrus, green apple, white peach, wild herbs, almond, and a distinct saline, mineral note that speaks of the Ligurian Sea's constant influence. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a clean, precise mouthfeel, and a long, savory, mineral finish with a gentle saline kiss. It is a wine of great clarity — the quintessential expression of Cinque Terre white wine. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. Drink within 2–3 years for maximum freshness. ~$20–$30 / ~€18–€28.
"112358" — The Amphora White: The 112358 is Stella di Lemmen's amphora-aged white — a wine that takes the same indigenous varieties as Limen (Albarola and Vermentino) and gives them a different voice through the ancient medium of clay. The name is a nod to the Fibonacci sequence, reflecting the natural mathematical patterns found throughout the estate's ecosystem. Fermented and aged in amphorae, it is a wine of greater texture, more pronounced mineral complexity, and a kind of earthy, waxy depth that speaks of ancient winemaking traditions revived in a modern context. In the glass, it is golden straw with amber highlights. The nose offers dried apricot, orange peel, wild honey, chamomile, and a distinct smoky, mineral note. The palate is medium-bodied, with gripping texture, vibrant acidity, and an incredibly long, savory, almost saline finish. It is a wine of intellectual and sensory depth — a wine that rewards contemplation and patience. Serve at 10–12°C. Ages beautifully for 3–5 years. ~$22–$32 / ~€20–€30.
"Astro" — The Complex White: The Astro is Stella di Lemmen's most celebrated and complex white — the cuvée that earned 94 points from James Suckling and has become a calling card for the estate in the international wine world. It is a wine of remarkable structure, depth, and maritime character that captures the full potential of the Lemmen terroir. Made from two distinct components — Bosco aged in barrique, and an Albarola/Vermentino/Bosco field blend aged in steel — it combines the richness and complexity of wood ageing with the freshness and clarity of steel. In the glass, it is deep golden with luminous intensity. The nose offers ripe citrus, tropical fruit, toasted almond, vanilla, wild herbs, and a profound saline, mineral note. The palate is full-bodied, with rich texture, vibrant acidity, and an incredibly long, savory, complex finish. It is a wine of great personality — structured, aromatic, and complex, with strength and soul. Serve at 10–12°C. Ages beautifully for 3–5 years, developing more honey, dried fruit, and mineral complexity. ~$24–$35 / ~€22–€32.
"Caligo" — The Experimental Red: The Caligo is Stella di Lemmen's bold red wine — an experimental cuvée that showcases the estate's willingness to push boundaries and explore new expressions of their diverse vineyard. Made from Grenache and Canaiolo, aged in a combination of amphorae and barrique, it is a wine that proves that even within the extreme terrains of the Cinque Terre, there is room for red wine of depth, power, and Mediterranean warmth. The name evokes the mist and sea haze that often shrouds the Ligurian coast — a nod to the maritime influence that defines everything at Stella di Lemmen. In the glass, it is deep ruby with garnet reflections. The nose offers dark cherry, plum, wild herbs, black pepper, and a distinct earthy, mineral note. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with firm tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory, slightly spicy finish. It is a wine of courage — a testament to Lucia and Diego's willingness to ask new questions and explore new possibilities. Serve at 16–18°C. Drink within 3–5 years. ~$22–$32 / ~€20–€30.
Vessels & Ageing: Stella di Lemmen works with a variety of vessels — stainless steel tanks, amphorae, and old barriques — each chosen according to the wine, the vintage, and Lucia's intuition. There is no single formula; the choice of vessel is always made in service of the wine's natural expression. The stainless steel preserves freshness, primary fruit, and vibrant acidity — essential for the delicate aromatics of Limen and the bright fruit of younger cuvées. The amphorae allow for gentle oxygen exchange, provide a kind of waxy, mineral texture, and connect the wines to ancient Mediterranean traditions — perfect for the 112358 and components of Caligo. The old barriques add subtle complexity, allow for gentle oxygen exchange, and provide the structure and depth necessary for more ambitious wines like Astro and Caligo — without imposing oak flavors that would mask the territorial character. All wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, with minimal or no sulfur, preserving their natural textures, living yeasts, and authentic flavors. The result is a portfolio of wines that are unmistakably Stella di Lemmen — alive, authentic, deeply connected to the maritime soul of the Cinque Terre, and to Lucia's conviction that the best wines come from the most honest cooperation with nature.
"Astro" — "Bosco Aged in Barrique + Albarola/Vermentino/Bosco Field Blend Aged in Steel — Hand-Harvested from Terraced Biodynamic Vineyards in the Cinque Terre, Indigenous Yeast Fermentation, Minimal Sulfur — 94 Points James Suckling — The Celebrated White of the Ligurian Sea"
The Astro is Stella di Lemmen's most celebrated and distinctive wine — the complex white that has earned international recognition and encapsulates everything Lucia believes about organic viticulture, biodynamic farming, and the transformative power of patience, manual labor, and cooperation with nature. It is not merely a white wine; it is a testament to the beauty of the Cinque Terre terroir when cultivated with reverence, the courage of a family who rebuilt an abandoned settlement stone by stone, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without excessive intervention. The name evokes the stars that shine above the Mediterranean — a declaration of aspiration, of reaching for something extraordinary in a place where everything must be earned through effort and love.
The viticulture is certified organic and practiced biodynamically. No chemical pesticides, no synthetic herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. Lucia focuses on maintaining a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem in the vineyard — creating an environment where beneficial insects, native plants, natural predators, bees, and free-ranging hens thrive, forming a self-regulating system that reduces the need for intervention. The vineyard is grassed and enriched with green manure; hedges and native species are planted around the vines; cover crops are maintained between rows on the steep terraces; the soil life is encouraged and protected. The harvest is entirely manual, with careful selection of only the healthiest, most expressive bunches — each one picked by hand from terraced vines at 350–400 meters above sea level and carried up or down the steep hillside.
In the cellar, the grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The Astro is composed of two distinct elements: Bosco aged in old barriques, which provides richness, structure, and subtle complexity; and a field blend of Albarola, Vermentino, and Bosco aged in stainless steel, which preserves freshness, clarity, and vibrant acidity. No fining, no filtration. Minimal sulfur is added — only what is necessary to ensure stability without masking the wine's natural character. The result is a wine that is alive, authentic, deeply connected to the place from which it comes, and to Lucia's philosophical conviction that wine should capture the essence of this place — its light, its freshness, its breath.
In the glass, it is deep golden with luminous intensity — alive, vibrant, authentic. The nose is intense and complex: ripe citrus, tropical fruit, toasted almond, vanilla, wild herbs, and a profound saline, mineral note that speaks of the Ligurian Sea's constant influence on the Lemmen terroir. There are notes of white flowers, a hint of honey, and a subtle smoky quality that adds depth and intrigue. The palate is full-bodied, with rich texture, vibrant acidity, a complex mouthfeel, and an incredibly long, savory, mineral finish that lingers with a gentle saline kiss. It is a wine of great personality — a wine that proves that when indigenous Ligurian varieties are grown with organic and biodynamic care on extreme terraced slopes, harvested with patience and carried by hand, and made with honest minimal intervention, the result is a white of both immediacy and profound depth, of both pleasure and intellectual challenge.
The Astro is a wine of the table and the mind — it pairs beautifully with seafood, Ligurian pesto, fresh pasta, grilled vegetables, or simply with good focaccia and olive oil overlooking the Mediterranean. Serve at 10–12°C. It will reward 3–5 years of careful cellaring, developing more dried fruit, honey, tobacco, and mineral complexity. Every bottle is a testament to the power of maritime terroir, the beauty of honest winemaking, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land, the family, and the patient, back-breaking work of rebuilding paradise from wilderness. ~$24–$35 / ~€22–€32.
The Stella di Lemmen Range
Lucia and Diego produce a small, organic, biodynamic portfolio from 2 hectares of terraced vineyards in the Cinque Terre National Park, above Riomaggiore. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. Minimal or no sulfur. Vegan and vegetarian suitable. Fermented and aged in a variety of vessels — stainless steel, amphorae, and old barriques — chosen to preserve natural character and terroir expression. The portfolio includes whites and an experimental red — each one a pure, honest expression of the Cinque Terre terroir and Lucia's commitment to cooperation with nature, biodiversity, and seeing the vineyard as part of a larger living system. Annual production is approximately 6,000 bottles. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
Stella di Lemmen produces a small, organic, biodynamic portfolio from 2 hectares of terraced vineyards in the Cinque Terre National Park, above Riomaggiore. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts. Minimal or no sulfur. Vegan and vegetarian suitable. Vessels vary by cuvée: stainless steel, amphorae, and old barriques. The portfolio includes Bosco, Albarola, Vermentino, Grenache, and Canaiolo expressing the extreme maritime character of the Cinque Terre terraces. The estate covers 4 hectares total, with vineyards at 350–400 meters above sea level on steep, hand-built terraces. Annual production is approximately 6,000 bottles. Availability is limited due to the small scale and extreme manual labor required. Contact the winery directly or visit The Grape Reset, VinNatur, and select natural wine retailers for availability. Visits by appointment — wine tours and tastings €55 per person (max 10 guests), drop-in tastings €10 Mon–Sat 11:00–17:30.
Contact Details:
Owners: Lucia and Diego
Email: info@stelladilemmen.com
Phone: +39 347 0972039
Website: https://www.stelladilemmen.com
Instagram: @stelladilemmen