Winter Winescapes

The Lopez Montero family’s roots in winemaking trace back to 1788, but it was in 2005 that María Victoria Montero and her children embarked on the Verum project, focusing on 80 hectares of exceptional vineyards in Castilla-La Mancha. Guided by winemaker Elías Lopez Montero, Verum emphasizes harmony with nature, reviving traditional varieties while exploring lesser-known grapes like Graciano. As a distinguished family-owned winery in a landscape dominated by bulk producers, Verum reflects the authentic essence of their land, family, and history.

Tóth Ferenc - affectionately known as Uncle Feri - and his wife embarked on their winegrowing journey back in 1983. A passionate advocate for rare grape varieties like Kadarka and Leányka, Tóth Ferenc has significantly contributed to the Eger region’s viticultural landscape, earning him the prestigious Hungarian Order of Merit for his efforts in 2017. In 2005, his daughter Katalin and son-in-law Zoltán joined, enhancing the winery's legacy and championing the official recognition of Egri Csillag (the region's flagship white wine) into appellation law.

Founded by Stanko Polanič, Marof seeks to showcase the untapped potential of Slovenia’s Prekmurje region. Winemaker Uroš Valcl brings his passion for honest, terroir-driven wines, shaped by his upbringing in his family’s vineyard. Situated on a historic aristocratic estate, Marof employs minimal intervention winemaking, focusing on blends with native and international varieties. Their wines, known for structure and ageability are only released after years of careful maturation.

With nearly two centuries of winemaking heritage, the Poiron-Dabin family has deep roots in the Loire Valley, dating back to at least 1858. The modern winery began with the marriage of Jean Poiron and Thérèse Dabin in 1962, culminating in the acquisition of Domaine de Chantegrolle in 1990. Their sons, Jean-Michel and Laurent, took over as the next generation. Situated in the Château-Thébaud subzone of the Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine appellation, Poiron-Dabin produces rich Muscadet and has successfully revived the rare Berligou.

Founded in 2007 by Armenak Aslanian, ArmAs is a leader in Armenia’s indigenous grape revival. His daughter Victoria now runs the family winery, continuing a long lineage of winegrowers. Armenak found ideal terroir in Aragatsotn Province, transforming a neglected 180-hectare property into a modern vineyard. With Italian winemaker Emilio Del Medico, ArmAs today crafts wines from native varieties like Karmrahyut, Kangun, Voskehat, and Areni, blending Italian winemaking expertise with Armenia’s rich viticultural heritage.

Named after the nearby archaeological site of Stobi, an ancient Paeonian city, the winery honors a long history of viticulture evidenced by ancient grape presses found in the area. With over 500 hectares, Stobi focuses on local varieties like Vranec, with over half of its red plantings dedicated to the North Macedonian specialty. Among the most globally decorated wineries in North Macedonia, with recognition from Decanter and Mundus Vini, Stobi is a benchmark for both Tikveš and the region at large.