L’Acino Vini
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L’Acino Vini 〰️
In the far south of Italy, where the country narrows into the toe of the boot, lies Calabria—wedged between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas. It’s a region of dramatic contrasts: rugged mountains and sun-drenched coasts, olive groves, vineyards, citrus orchards, and wild forests. This is a land of raw beauty—harsh and overlooked, yet incredibly fertile.
Calabria carries the weight of history: once part of Magna Graecia, it boasts a rich cultural and historical legacy. But it’s also a land that has been depopulated, neglected, and often misunderstood. Its wines, traditionally powerful and high in alcohol, have long been out of step with contemporary tastes—and almost invisible on the modern Italian wine map.
But in 2006, change began to take root.
A one-hectare vineyard planted with Mantonico grapes at 650 meters altitude. The land, once tended by a farmer too weary to continue battling its steep, windswept slopes, lies on the edge of the Pollino National Park. A year later, the team acquired another three hectares of Magliocco nearby.
None of them came from a winemaking background. They had no wealth, no resources—just big dreams and bold ambitions. With early guidance from renowned Cilento winemaker Luigi De Conciliis, the trio envisioned a different kind of Calabrian wine: light, fresh, elegant, and honest. Wines that would break with the overpowering stereotypes of the region.
From the beginning, their approach was rooted in low-intervention viticulture and natural winemaking. They focused on native grape varieties—some from century-old, own-rooted vines growing in sandy soils layered with sandstone or clay, rich in iron and constantly cooled by mountain breezes at over 600 meters elevation.
Where to Find L’Acino Wines
Online Retailers (Global & EU Focus)
International Retailers & Distributors (Examples)
- **Italy (Calabria & Beyond):**
- **Winery Direct Sales:** Contact L'Acino directly (info@acinovini.it) for information on cellar door visits and purchases in San Marco Argentano, Cosenza, Calabria. Their website (www.acinovini.it) may provide more details on direct contact.
- **Specialized Enotecas & Natural Wine Bars:** Look for independent "enotecas" (wine shops) and natural wine bars throughout Italy, particularly in cities like Rome, Florence, Milan, and Naples, and, of course, within Calabria itself.
- **United States:**
- **Louis/Dressner Selections (US Importer):** A highly respected importer of natural wines, including L'Acino. Inquire with local natural wine shops or fine wine retailers working with Louis/Dressner.
- **MYSA Natural Wine (Online, US):** As mentioned, they are a reliable online source for L'Acino wines shipping to various US states.
- **Grain & Vine (NYC, Online US):** A New York-based retailer known for natural wines that has carried L'Acino, including their "Giramondo."
- **Leon & Son Wine and Spirits (NYC, Online US):** Another NYC natural wine shop that has stocked L'Acino wines.
- *Contact independent wine shops in major US cities (e.g., NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Portland) that specialize in natural Italian wines or unique Southern Italian producers. They are the most likely to carry or be able to source these wines via their importers.*
- **United Kingdom:**
- **Natural Wine Company (UK Importer/Retailer):** This London-based natural wine specialist has carried L'Acino wines.
- **Passione Vino (UK Retailer):** A highly regarded Italian wine specialist in London that often features unique and artisanal Italian producers.
- *Look for independent wine merchants in London and other major UK cities who focus on natural and biodynamic Italian wines, especially those from lesser-known regions.*
- **Europe (General):**
- *Beyond the specific online retailers, explore natural wine shops and importers in countries like France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. L'Acino is part of the growing European natural wine scene.*
- **Asia (e.g., Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore):**
- *As a pioneering natural wine project, their international reach is expanding. Look for importers specializing in natural Italian wines in these markets.*
Winery Information & General Profile
- **"Chora Rosso":** Often a vibrant, juicy red from Magliocco, designed for immediate enjoyment.
- **"Ceci n'est pas un Magliocco":** A playful red wine, hinting at unique expressions of Magliocco Canino.
- **"Toccomagliocco":** A more structured red Magliocco, often with some barrel aging.
- **"Hobo":** Another red Magliocco expression.
- **"Giramondo Bianco":** A white wine, often with skin contact, from varieties like Malvasia or a blend.
- **"Mantonicoz":** A skin-contact (orange) white wine from the indigenous Mantonico grape, showcasing its aromatic and textural potential.
- **"Hallelujah":** A white wine, sometimes featuring Pinot Blanc.
- **"Asor":** Their rosé wine.
Their wines slowly started gaining recognition, evolving from local curiosities to sought-after bottles. The team expanded by planting another four hectares from massal selections, launching the Chora line—vibrant wines sourced from their younger vines.
Today, L’Acino stands as one of Calabria’s most exciting and authentic producers. Under Dino Briglio’s thoughtful leadership, the winery has breathed new life into a neglected land, offering wines of remarkable charm, elegance, and drinkability. Their journey highlights the untapped potential of Calabria—a region still wild, still generous, and now finally being heard.