Wines of the Seasons
Terra della Luna is the natural wine estate of Alessandro Vignali, located in Ortonovo on the Colli di Luni — the last strip of Ligurian hilly territory bordering Tuscany, where the Ligurian hills of Nicola meet the Tuscan hills of Monteverde. It is a project born from an extraordinary life: a childhood in the Tenuta di Marinella, a career as a Carabinieri officer fighting the mafia in Italy and conducting international anti-drug operations with Interpol, a near-fatal fall from nine meters during an operation that left him in a coma for over a week with a fractured skull and spine — and a return to the land that chose him. In 2006, Alessandro purchased 3 hectares of land called "Pezzo Grande," already renowned since the 1800s for the white wine "Bon Blanc" produced by the Fabbricotti family of Carrara. He built his home and cellar in bio-construction with the goal of zero carbon dioxide emissions, renovated a vineyard compromised by conventional agriculture, and began making wines that he calls "vini delle stagioni" — wines of the seasons. Today, the estate covers 2 hectares of vines, producing approximately 10,000 bottles annually across two Vermentinos (70% of production), a Syrah, a Grenache, and two bottle-refermented wines. All wines are unfiltered, made without added sulfites, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and crafted with a respect for nature that is not merely a technique but a philosophy of life. Alessandro is married to Katia, has two grown sons Luca and Matteo, and his deepest wish was to give his children the chance to grow up with dirty knees — the same childhood he had, fled from, and happily returned to.
From the Front Lines to the Vine Rows
The story of Terra della Luna is a story that reads like two different films — the first a Martin Scorsese thriller, the second a Peter Mayle novel of Provencal charm. Alessandro Vignali, the man behind this extraordinary estate, lived a childhood of happiness at Marinella di Sarzana, in a farmhouse of the Tenuta di Marinella. His grandfather Giuseppe, a true Pisano, had moved there to help manage the estate after it passed from the wealthy Fabbricotti industrial family of Carrara to the Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Young Alessandro dreamed of becoming a detective, of chasing truth through the shadows. And for a time, he did exactly that — joining the Carabinieri, Italy's national gendarmerie, where he spent nearly twenty years fighting the mafia on Italian soil and then traveling the world on international anti-drug operations with Interpol. He seemed to have realized his dream. But after one operation — following the prison escape of a major trafficker he had helped bring to justice — something began to crack. Not his head, not his body, but his heart. He realized that something was wrong in his life and in the system he served.
The turning point came with a near-fatal accident during an anti-drug operation — a fall from nine meters that left him in a coma for more than a week, with a fractured skull and multiple spinal fractures. It was, as he says, "just another little push" that made him decide to retire, ending the first act of this compelling story. He could no longer sit in an office; his body and spirit demanded the open air, the soil, the tangible work of the land. And so, in 2006, he returned home and began his new adventure by purchasing a 2-hectare vineyard in Ortonovo, on a piece of land called "Pezzo Grande" — already renowned since the 1800s for the white wine "Bon Blanc" produced by the Fabbricotti family. He built his house and cellar using bio-construction techniques, with the goal of achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions, and renovated a vineyard that had been compromised by conventional agriculture. Thus, Terra della Luna was born — not merely a winery, but a philosophy, a second life, a return to the earth with dirty knees.
Today, Alessandro is married to Katia, has two grown sons Luca and Matteo, and spends his days in the vineyard fighting peronospora (downy mildew) and in the cellar experimenting with how to respect the grapes in the production of the wines he loves — his beloved "vini delle stagioni." He is a man who has seen the darkest corners of human nature and chosen, instead, to cultivate light. His estate is located in the conca formed by the meeting of the Ligurian and Tuscan hills, at 50 meters above sea level, with the sea visible just 3 kilometers away. Behind him rises the Tuscan hill of Monteverde; before him, the Ligurian hill of Nicola. The grey clay present throughout the land at about one meter depth allows for late harvests even in particularly hot years — in 2017, for example, the first fresh Vermentino harvest was on September 20th, the second in the first decade of October. It is a terroir of slow ripening, intense aromas, and harmonious taste — a place where the thermal excursion is so dramatic that, as Alessandro says, "every evening it's as if it rains, there's humidity."
Terra della Luna has earned recognition from VinNatur, Live Wine, The Grape Reset, Callmewine, Gallienoteca, Florwine, Vivino, Enoplane, Vignaioli Contrari, and a growing network of natural wine enthusiasts who seek out wines of absolute purity. Alessandro's wines — Plinio, Lun'Antica, Vinacciolo di Luna, Caligrè, Vignali di Luna, and Osé di Luna — are not merely beverages; they are stories of a life lived at the extremes, of a man who chased criminals across borders and then chose to chase the perfect grape through the seasons, of a conviction that "my wine is like what you would make for your family." The labels bear a distinctive figure — a kind of ancient statue, a lunar totem — that has become the visual signature of the estate, as recognizable as the wines themselves.
"My wine is like what you would make for your family."
— Alessandro Vignali, Terra della Luna
Pezzo Grande & Grey Clay Terroir
Terra della Luna's vineyards are located in Ortonovo, in the heart of the DOC Colli di Luni — the easternmost corner of Liguria, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of La Spezia, sheltered from behind by the Apuan Alps. This is the last strip of Ligurian hilly territory before the Tuscan border, a place where the Ligurian hill of Nicola and the Tuscan hill of Monteverde create a natural conca (basin) that captures maritime breezes, mountain coolness, and extraordinary thermal variation. The estate sits at approximately 50 meters above sea level, with the sea visible just 3 kilometers away — close enough to taste the salt in the air, far enough to feel the protection of the hills. The vineyard covers 2 hectares within a total property of 3 hectares, a deliberately intimate scale that allows Alessandro to know every vine, every row, every patch of grey clay that defines this unique terroir.
The terroir is defined by its distinctive grey clay (argilla grigia), present throughout the land at approximately one meter depth — a soil type that guarantees the right water sustenance to the roots and allows for late harvests even in the hottest years. This clay acts as a natural reservoir, retaining moisture through the dry Mediterranean summers and releasing it gradually to the vines, preventing hydric stress and allowing for slow, complete phenolic ripeness. The result is a microclimate of extraordinary character: warm days tempered by maritime proximity, cool nights with dramatic thermal excursion that preserves acidity and concentrates aromatic compounds, and a humidity in the evening hours that challenges the vigneron but rewards the persistent. The soils are a mix of grey clay, silt, and rocky fragments — medium-textured and rich in the hills, creating a terroir that produces wines with intense perfumes and harmonious, complex flavors. The analysis of these soils has been compared to those of illustrious Supertuscan estates, speaking to the profound quality hidden in this modest corner of the Ligurian-Tuscan border.
Farming at Terra della Luna follows natural methods, with a philosophy that emphasizes respect for nature as a way of life rather than a mere agricultural technique. No synthetic chemicals, no herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. Alessandro fights peronospora with natural methods, experiments with zeolite against rot (though he admits it doesn't fully convince him), and accepts that the humidity of the valley will always challenge him. But he also understands that this same humidity, combined with the dramatic thermal excursion, is what creates the intense aromatic profile of his wines. "With the peronospora, the grapes that remain are perfect because they take all the best from the plant," he says — a philosophy of acceptance and selection that turns challenge into quality. The vineyard is surrounded by woods and Mediterranean maquis, ensuring remarkable biodiversity and a natural ecosystem that supports the vines. The harvest is entirely manual, with careful selection of only the healthiest, most expressive bunches. Alessandro personally oversees every aspect of the viticultural cycle, from pruning to harvest to cellar work, ensuring that the grapes that enter his bio-built cellar are of the highest quality and express the unique character of the Pezzo Grande terroir.
The grape varieties are a focused selection that reflects both local tradition and Alessandro's personal vision. Vermentino dominates — the great white grape of Liguria and the Mediterranean coast, occupying 70% of the estate's production and expressing the full potential of the Colli di Luni terroir with its body, saline character, and ability to develop complex aromas through skin maceration. Grenache provides the warmth, fruit, and Mediterranean soul for the red wines, thriving in the sunny, well-drained soils and producing wines of depth and generosity. Syrah — "an grape I have always loved," Alessandro says — was planted because it is naturally resistant to rot and therefore perfect for the humid microclimate of Pezzo Grande, and because it can be vinified in purity or blended with Grenache, marrying beautifully with a terroir that reminds him in some ways of the southern Rhône. Together, these varieties form a small but distinctive portfolio that expresses the full range of the Colli di Luni terroir — from the crisp, mineral whites to the structured, savory reds, from still wines to bottle-refermented sparklings — each one a pure, honest expression of place and Alessandro's commitment to making wine as he would for his own family.
Ortonovo, Colli di Luni, Liguria. Last strip of Ligurian hilly territory bordering Tuscany. DOC Colli di Luni. 50 meters above sea level. Sea visible 3km away. Ligurian hill of Nicola and Tuscan hill of Monteverde create natural conca. Extraordinary thermal excursion: "every evening it's as if it rains, there's humidity." Maritime influence from Tyrrhenian Sea. Sheltered by Apuan Alps. Late harvests possible even in hot years. Historic viticulture documented since Roman times. Renowned since 1800s for "Bon Blanc" of Fabbricotti family.
Grey clay (argilla grigia) present at approximately one meter depth throughout the land. Natural water reservoir — retains moisture, releases gradually, prevents hydric stress. Allows late harvests even in hottest years (2017: first Vermentino harvest September 20, second in early October). Mix of grey clay, silt, and rocky fragments. Medium-textured and rich. Compared to soils of illustrious Supertuscan estates. Distinctive Colli di Luni character: intense perfumes, harmonious complex flavors, slow ripening, complete phenolic maturity.
Natural farming methods. No synthetic chemicals, no herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. Respect for nature as philosophy of life, not just technique. Fighting peronospora with natural methods. Experimentation with zeolite against rot. Acceptance of humidity and challenge as part of terroir expression. "With peronospora, the grapes that remain are perfect because they take all the best from the plant." Vineyard surrounded by woods and Mediterranean maquis. Remarkable biodiversity. Manual harvest with careful selection. Alessandro personally oversees every aspect.
White — Vermentino (great Ligurian/Mediterranean white, 70% of production, body, saline character, complex aromas through maceration). Red — Grenache (warmth, fruit, Mediterranean soul, depth, generosity), Syrah (resistant to rot, perfect for humid microclimate, vinified in purity or blended, affinity for terroir reminiscent of southern Rhône). All hand-harvested with careful selection. Indigenous yeast fermentation. No added sulfites. No filtration. Unfiltered and without added sulfites across entire range.
No Added Sulfites & Indigenous Expression
At Terra della Luna, the cellar philosophy is one of absolute purity: no added sulfites, no filtration, no selected yeasts, no additives of any kind — a commitment to producing wines that are a raw, honest expression of the Colli di Luni terroir, with no masking, no correction, no intervention beyond what nature requires. Alessandro Vignali believes that wine should be made as you would make it for your own family — with care, honesty, and the best ingredients, nothing hidden, nothing artificial. His approach is experimental, curious, and deeply personal: he listens to the wine, follows its sounds, its smells, its movements, using a language that allows him to respect its times and its needs. The result is a portfolio of wines — Plinio, Lun'Antica, Vinacciolo di Luna, Caligrè, Vignali di Luna, and Osé di Luna — that are unfiltered, unsulfited, alive, and unmistakably connected to the grey clay, the dramatic thermal excursion, and the humid, aromatic soul of Pezzo Grande.
The techniques are minimal to the point of absence. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The wines are unfiltered — preserving their natural textures, living yeasts, and authentic flavors. No sulfites are added — the total sulfur levels in the wines range from 7 to 9 mg/l, naturally occurring compounds that are negligible compared to conventional wines. The choice of vessels — stainless steel tanks, old wood, amphorae, and even experiments with Carrara marble (which Alessandro tried but found did not work as hoped) — is made according to the wine, the vintage, and Alessandro's intuition. The stainless steel preserves freshness and primary fruit. The old wood adds subtle complexity for some reds. The amphorae, which Alessandro is currently experimenting with for the Plinio 2020, provide a kind of waxy, mineral texture that he finds increasingly appealing. Everything is in service of the wine's natural expression, not the imposition of a house style. The result is a portfolio of wines that are unmistakably Terra della Luna — alive, authentic, deeply connected to the land, and to Alessandro's conviction that "the rest is the sequel of a beautiful film that the Vignali family still has to write."
"Plinio" — The Skin-Macerated White: The Plinio is Terra della Luna's foundational white — a Vermentino vinified in steel with skin maceration and aged for one year in steel, named after Pliny the Elder, the Roman writer, naturalist philosopher, military commander, and provincial governor who was enamored with the wines of the Colli di Luni. It is a wine of golden color, intense and brilliant, that speaks of the Mediterranean soul of this terroir. The grapes are hand-harvested from the estate's natural vineyards, fermented with indigenous yeasts with skin contact, and aged with absolutely no added sulfites and no filtration. In the glass, it is deep gold with luminous intensity. The nose offers a beautiful green Mediterranean note, officinal herbs, citrus, and a distinct mineral, saline character. The palate is full, savory, and not at all cloying — citrusy, with a slightly bitter, archaic close that speaks of ancient winemaking traditions. It is a wine of importance — the kind of white that demands attention and rewards contemplation. Serve at 10–12°C. Ages beautifully for 2–3 years. ~€23 / ~$25.
"Lun'Antica" — The Long-Maceration Orange: The Lun'Antica is Terra della Luna's long-maceration orange wine — a Vermentino from the late harvest (vendemmia tardiva) that undergoes extended skin contact to produce a wine of greater depth, texture, and aromatic complexity. It is an orange wine in the truest sense: hazy, deeply colored, and profoundly expressive of the grape's potential when allowed to fully interact with its skins. The name evokes the ancient, the lunar, the timeless — a wine that seems to come from another era. Fermented with indigenous yeasts, unfiltered, without added sulfites, it is a wine that challenges conventions and rewards the curious. In the glass, it is amber-gold with hazy, luminous intensity. The nose offers dried apricot, orange peel, wild honey, chamomile, and a distinct mineral, smoky note. The palate is full-bodied, with gripping texture, vibrant acidity, and an incredibly long, savory, almost tannic finish. It is a wine of intellectual and sensory depth — for those who seek something beyond the ordinary. Serve at 12–14°C. ~€20–€25 / ~$22–$28.
"Vinacciolo di Luna" — The Bottle-Refermented Sparkling: The Vinacciolo di Luna is Terra della Luna's bottle-refermented sparkling white — a hazy, faded gold wine, cloudy due to natural bottle refermentation, unfiltered and without added sulfites. It is the only wine released close to the harvest (ready by June but fun to taste even before), a wine of immediacy, joy, and natural effervescence that captures the freshness of the Vermentino grape in its most playful form. The name "Vinacciolo" evokes the grape stalk — a nod to the raw, unadorned nature of this wine. In the glass, it is hazy gold with a gentle, natural mousse. The nose is bright, citrusy, and floral, with a herbal skew that speaks of the Mediterranean maquis surrounding the vineyard. The palate is light, refreshing, with a gentle fizz, vibrant acidity, and a clean, savory finish. It is a wine of pleasure — perfect with bread and salami in good company. Serve well chilled at 6–8°C. Drink young. ~€18–€22 / ~$20–$24.
"Caligrè" — The Grenache Red: The Caligrè is Terra della Luna's Grenache red — a wine of warmth, fruit, and Mediterranean character that captures the sunny soul of the Colli di Luni terroir. The name evokes the mountain peaks that rise behind the estate — a declaration of the wild, untamed nature of this land. Made from Grenache grown on the grey clay soils of Pezzo Grande, fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged in a combination of steel and a little wood, unfiltered and without added sulfites, it is a wine that won a silver medal at the Granche du Monte festival in Catalonia with a total sulfur level of just 9 mg/l — a testament to its purity and quality. 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 yet approachable tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory, slightly spicy finish. It is a wine of personality — the quintessential expression of Ligurian-Tuscan border Grenache. Serve at 16–18°C. Ages beautifully for 3–5 years. ~€20–€25 / ~$22–$28.
"Vignali di Luna" — The Syrah Red: The Vignali di Luna is Terra della Luna's Syrah red — a selection of the best Syrah bunches, a variety naturally predisposed to resisting rot and therefore perfect for the humid microclimate of Pezzo Grande. The name carries the family name — Vignali — a declaration of pride, of roots, of identity. Alessandro chose Syrah because he has always loved it, because it can be vinified in purity or together with Grenache, and because he thought it could marry well with a terroir that reminds him in some ways of the southern Rhône. The wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged in steel and a little wood, unfiltered and without added sulfites. In the glass, it is deep ruby with purple reflections. The nose is pungent — black pepper, wild berries, strong humus, and a distinct mineral, earthy note. The palate is vertical, between acidity and tannin, with good persistence and a long, savory, slightly spicy finish. It is a wine of character — structured, aromatic, and complex. Serve at 16–18°C. Ages beautifully for 3–5 years. ~€29 / ~$32.
"Osé di Luna" — The Bottle-Refermented Rosé: The Osé di Luna is Terra della Luna's bottle-refermented sparkling rosé — a recent addition to the portfolio, made from Grenache grapes, unfiltered, without added sulfites, and refermented in the bottle to create a wine of freshness, balance, and joyful character. The name plays on "rosé" and the Italian "osé" (daring) — a wine that dares to be different, to be natural, to be alive. It is fresh with balanced acidity, a gentle natural mousse, and the kind of easy pleasure that makes it perfect for aperitivo, picnics, and celebrations. Serve well chilled at 6–8°C. Drink young. ~€16–€20 / ~$18–$22.
Vessels & Experimentation: Terra della Luna works with a variety of vessels — stainless steel tanks, old wood, amphorae, and even experiments with Carrara marble — each chosen according to the wine, the vintage, and Alessandro's curiosity. 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 Plinio and the younger wines. The old wood adds subtle complexity and structure for some reds. The amphorae, which Alessandro is currently trying with the Plinio 2020, provide a waxy, mineral texture that he finds increasingly appealing. The Carrara marble experiment — a container carved from local marble — did not work as he hoped, though a group of Americans was ecstatic about it. All wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, unfiltered, without added sulfites — preserving their natural textures, living yeasts, and authentic flavors. The result is a portfolio of wines that are unmistakably Terra della Luna — alive, authentic, deeply connected to the grey clay and humid soul of Pezzo Grande, and to Alessandro's conviction that wine should be made as you would make it for your own family.
"Plinio" — "Vermentino with Skin Maceration — Hand-Harvested from Natural Vineyards in the Colli di Luni, Indigenous Yeast Fermentation, Aged in Steel, Unfiltered, No Added Sulfites — Named for Pliny the Elder, Lover of Colli di Luni Wines"
The Plinio is Terra della Luna's foundational and most distinctive white wine — the skin-macerated Vermentino that encapsulates everything Alessandro Vignali believes about natural farming, absolute purity, and the transformative power of patience and respect for the land. It is not merely a white wine; it is a testament to the beauty of the Colli di Luni terroir when cultivated with natural methods, the courage of a man who traded a life of fighting crime for a life of fighting mildew, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without any intervention beyond what nature requires. The name evokes Pliny the Elder — the Roman writer, naturalist, military commander, and provincial governor who fell in love with the wines of this very place two thousand years ago — a declaration of rootedness, of historical continuity, of an identity that cannot be separated from this specific corner of the Ligurian-Tuscan border where grey clay meets Mediterranean sun.
The viticulture is natural — no synthetic chemicals, no herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. Alessandro focuses on maintaining healthy vines on the humid, challenging slopes of Pezzo Grande — creating an environment where the Vermentino can express its full potential despite the peronospora that threatens each season. The harvest is entirely manual, with careful selection of only the healthiest, most expressive bunches. In 2017, the first fresh Vermentino harvest was on September 20th, the second in early October — a testament to the slow ripening allowed by the grey clay soils and the dramatic thermal excursion of the valley. The grapes that remain after natural selection are, as Alessandro says, "perfect because they take all the best from the plant."<
In the cellar, the grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The Vermentino undergoes skin maceration and is aged for one year in stainless steel — a choice that preserves freshness while allowing the skin contact to add texture, complexity, and a kind of archaic depth to the wine. No filtration. No added sulfites — the total sulfur is just 7 mg/l, naturally occurring and negligible. The result is a wine that is alive, authentic, deeply connected to the place from which it comes, and to Alessandro's philosophical conviction that "my wine is like what you would make for your family."<
In the glass, it is deep gold with luminous intensity — alive, vibrant, authentic. The nose is intense and complex: a beautiful green Mediterranean note, officinal herbs, citrus, and a distinct mineral, saline character that speaks of the sea just 3 kilometers away and the grey clay that sustains the vines. The palate is full, savory, and not at all cloying — citrusy, with a slightly bitter, archaic close that speaks of ancient winemaking traditions and the kind of honesty that comes from making wine without masks or corrections. It is a wine of importance — a wine that demands attention and rewards contemplation, that proves that when Vermentino is grown with natural care on grey clay soils, harvested with patience, and made with absolute purity, the result is a white of both immediacy and profound depth, of both pleasure and intellectual challenge.
The Plinio 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 2–3 years of careful cellaring, developing more honey, dried fruit, and mineral complexity. Every bottle is a testament to the power of the Colli di Luni terroir, the beauty of natural winemaking without added sulfites, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land, the family, and the patient, honest work of a man who chose to grow up with dirty knees. ~€23 / ~$25.
The Terra della Luna Range
Alessandro Vignali produces a small, natural portfolio from 2 hectares of vineyards in Ortonovo, in the heart of the DOC Colli di Luni. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. Unfiltered. No added sulfites — total sulfur ranges from 7 to 9 mg/l. Fermented and aged in a variety of vessels — stainless steel, old wood, amphorae — chosen to preserve natural character and terroir expression. The portfolio includes whites, an orange wine, reds, and bottle-refermented sparklings — each one a pure, honest expression of the Pezzo Grande terroir and Alessandro's commitment to making wine as he would for his own family. Annual production is approximately 10,000 bottles, with Vermentino-based wines representing 70% of output. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
Terra della Luna produces a small, natural portfolio from 2 hectares of vineyards in Ortonovo, in the heart of the DOC Colli di Luni. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. Unfiltered. No added sulfites — total sulfur ranges from 7 to 9 mg/l. Vessels vary by cuvée: stainless steel, old wood, amphorae. The portfolio includes Vermentino (70% of production), Grenache, and Syrah expressing the intense, humid, aromatic character of the Pezzo Grande terroir. The estate covers 3 hectares total, with 2 hectares under vine, at 50 meters above sea level on grey clay soils. Annual production is approximately 10,000 bottles. Availability is limited due to the small scale and natural production methods. Contact the winery directly or visit VinNatur, Live Wine, The Grape Reset, Callmewine, Gallienoteca, Florwine, and select natural wine retailers for availability. Visits by appointment.
Contact Details:
Winemaker: Alessandro Vignali
Phone: +39 340 081 0409
Website: https://www.terradellaluna.com/