This week’s wine roundup spans the sun-drenched slopes of Tuscany to the resilient volcanic soils of Tenerife. We lead with a major milestone at San Felice, where Francesca Giuggioli officially steps into the role of Head Winemaker, signaling a refined future for the historic Chianti Classico estate. Meanwhile, Spanish producers are aggressively “romancing” the American market, viewing the U.S. as an indispensable, albeit unpredictable, partner. From award-winning wine lists in Madrid to a winery turning wildfire tragedy into a best-selling success story, the industry continues to balance deep-rooted traditions with the creative agility required for modern survival.
Wine Business – San Felice Toscana A.D. 714 Appoints Francesca Giuggioli Head Winemaker of Its Chianti Classico Estate
San Felice Toscana A.D. 714, a historic producer in the heart of Chianti Classico, has appointed Francesca Giuggioli as its new Head Winemaker. The move reflects both continuity and evolution at one of Tuscany’s storied estates, where Giuggioli’s experience and stylistic vision are expected to shape the quality and expression of Chianti Classico wines. The announcement highlights her background (including previous roles and achievements in Italian winemaking, if available), and underscores the winery’s commitment to both tradition and innovation as it navigates current market dynamics.
This leadership change comes at a time when Italian producers are balancing long-established terroir expressions with growing global competition, and can signal a strategic emphasis on both vineyard stewardship and stylistic clarity that resonates with international critics and consumers alike.
The Cork and Journey San Felice Winery Review
As we reported in our review last year:
After the 2023 retirement of longtime winemaker Leonardo Bellaccini, the winemaking team is now led by Francesca Giuggioli, supported by consultant Thomas Duclos, a Bordeaux-based enologist known for his methodical focus on precision, purity, and terroir definition. Duclos’s involvement signals a continued commitment to refinement across all three San Felice estates, with an eye toward enhancing balance and site transparency. The team’s aim appears to be a tightened stylistic profile, without losing the Tuscan character central to the brand.
Congratulations to Francesca for making it permanent!
Wine-Searcher – Spanish Wines Aim to Romance the US
In Wine-Searcher, W. Blake Gray explores how Spanish wine producers are working to strengthen their appeal in the United States, long one of the world’s largest and most competitive wine markets. Traditionally known for robust red wines such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero, Spain’s wine sector is increasingly offering a broader portfolio—including white and sparkling styles—to attract American consumers. The piece frames the challenge as a kind of “romance” with the U.S. market: despite tariff changes and import hurdles, Spanish wine aims to deepen its foothold by shifting perceptions and expanding beyond its established niches. From the Article:
“The international market is not every day a paradise,” said Javier Pagés, president of Barcelona Wine Week. “Once you have gone to a country like the United States and you have invested, you have to keep investing in promotions. All the money you have put behind, you don’t just stop because there are some tariffs that have increased the prices of your wines. The market is still there, and the American market likes European wines.”
And this line from the article. Just because it cracks me up.
As a wine market, the US is like a faded movie star. Even if it has stopped exercising, is letting itself go to seed, and has become surly and unpredictable, it is still the partner of every wine exporter’s dreams.
The Drinks Business – How Tenerife’s worst wildfires in 40 years led to one winery’s best-selling bottle
And staying in Spain a bit longer. In The Drinks Business, Amelie Maurice-Jones reports that wildfires in Tenerife in 2023—the island’s most severe in four decades—devastated the
vineyards of Bodega Piedra Fluida, S.L., destroying the majority of the winery’s grape crop. Rather than retreating, the winery pivoted with creativity and resilience. The loss forced the producer to experiment with the remaining grapes and to innovate with alternative winemaking techniques. The result was a new best-selling wine that not only became a commercial success but also reshaped the estate’s identity in the post-fire era. From the article:
“Each year is getting better for us,” confirms Monshouwer, who founded Piedra Fluida in 2018. “The big trend for volcanic wines started with Etna. Now, it’s coming towards the Canary Islands.”
She hopes oenophiles around the world will open their eyes to the “souls behind each wine”, with the Spanish archipelago’s vineyards steeped in history – enriched by century-old vines and indigenous grape varieties.
“They’re discovering the diversity and uniqueness of what we’ve got in the Canary Islands,” she adds.
Wine Industry Advisor – Winners Revealed in Star Wine List of the Year Spain 2026
And let’s just end in Spain as well. Over at the Wine Industry Advisor they report on the 2026 edition of the Star Wine List of the Year Spain awards, where top Spanish restaurants and wine bars were recognised for their outstanding wine programmes at a ceremony in Madrid. The prestigious competition, part of a global awards tour celebrating excellence in wine lists and sommelier-led experiences, announced nine Gold Star winners across categories, including long lists, sustainability, and newcomer honours. Among the standout winners was Rekondo Restaurant in San Sebastián, which took Best Long List and Best Sparkling Wine List, while El Faralló (Alicante) and Maestro Bar (Valencia) scored in their respective categories. Other winners included venues like Saddle (Best By-the-Glass List), Pompa (Best Newcomer), and El Molino de Urdániz (Sustainability Prize). Several winners, including Ambivium and Berria Wine Bar, repeated their success from the previous year’s competition. All Gold Star winners will now advance to the Star Wine List of the Year Global Final 2026, to be held in southern Sweden this June.
Crown Point Vineyards is a hillside Cabernet-focused estate in Santa Ynez defined by precision farming, low yields, and structured, age-worthy wines. During our visit, every wine tasted performed at a 95+ point level, reflecting a disciplined, site-driven approach from vineyard to cellar.
This Napa Valley Riesling from the Oak Knoll District defies expectations with its bone-dry profile and vibrant acidity. Trefethen’s 2021 vintage offers layered aromas of white peach and jasmine; grounded by wet stone minerality. It is a focused; food-friendly white that highlights the serious potential of this often-overlooked varietal in California.
Bavette’s offers a dining experience that merges the American steakhouse tradition with the aesthetic and culinary sensibilities of a French bistro. The kitchen focuses on premium sourcing and consistent execution, delivering dishes characterized by rich textures and savory depth. Service is professional and well-paced, complementing a moody, atmospheric setting.