Welcome to Episode 7, "Zýmē Winery: Experience meets innovation, native grapes & old vines in Valpolicella" on ⁠The Old Vine Conference Podcast⁠. Cynthia Chaplin sits down with Celestino Gaspari, owner of Zýmē Winery in the Valpolicella region in Verona.

Today’s discussion is all about the old vines at the Zýmē winery and Gaspari’s philosophy on winemaking and life. He has done a significant amount of research and conservation, working on the recovery of buds from unknown vines to comprehend the heritage better. They also discuss Gaspari getting the native grape Oseleta re-certified, and his efforts to have it revalued, understood and protected in the Veneto region.

To learn more about ⁠The Old Vine Conference⁠, please visit us atwww.oldvines.organd follow us on instagram:@ouroldvines.

More about Celestino Gaspari:

Celestino Gaspari, a native of Val d'Illasi in Italy's Valpolicella region, began his agricultural career on his family's land. He apprenticed with renowned winemaker Giuseppe Quintarelli, working alongside him for 11 years. In 1999, Gaspari founded Zýmē Winery, named after the Greek word for "yeast," reflecting his commitment to natural winemaking processes.

The winery is situated in a 15th-century sandstone quarry in the heart of Valpolicella Classica, symbolizing the harmony between tradition and innovation. Gaspari's philosophy emphasizes sustainability and a deep respect for nature, aiming to produce wines that transparently convey the essence of their terroir.

Learn more:

Website:https://www.zyme.it/en/winery/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zyme_winery/

About the host Cynthia Chaplin:

Cynthia Chaplin is a Vinitaly International Academy certified Italian Wine Ambassador, a professional sommelier with Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and the Worldwide Sommelier Association, a member of Le Donne del Vino, and a Professor of Italian Wine and Culture.

She is the Host of VOICES covering DEI in the wine industry every Wednesday for Italian Wine Podcast and a contributing author and editor for the recently published Wine Democracy (2022) and Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0 (2023). She has her own consulting business, Cynthia Chaplin Wine, and she works with Vinitaly International as Project and Events Manager, WSET Certified Educator, Editorial Manager and Coordinator of Vinitaly International Academy.

Learn more:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/kiss_my_glassx/⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/people/Italian-Wines-in-English/100036868372598/⁠

⁠linkedin.com/in/cynthia-chaplin-190647179⁠

Welcome to Episode 6, "Benanti’s Etna: old vines, new perspectives" on ⁠The Old Vine Conference Podcast⁠. Cynthia Chaplin sits down with a twin tour de force, Salvino and Antonio Benanti of the iconic Benanti winery on Etna started by their father Cavagliere del lavoro Giuseppe Benanti.

Today’s discussion is all about Benanti’s indigenous vines; and the grapes that are harvested by hand, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Carricante. The brothers speak about the autochthonous yeasts and the ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines, which vary between 95-115 years old. They also discuss the business aspect of winemaking on Etna and what the region needs for ongoing success.

To learn more about ⁠The Old Vine Conference⁠, please visit us at www.oldvines.org and follow us on instagram: @ouroldvines.

More about Salvino & Antonio Benanti:

Antonio and Salvino were born at the foot of the Etna volcano, in Catania, Sicily, in May 1974. After enjoying their childhood in Sicily, Antonio and Salvino left to attend school in Switzerland and the UK. After many years spent abroad, the brothers returned to Sicily for good and started working alongside their father (until his passing in 2023), a visionary of many interests and talents. The brothers assumed leadership of the winery in 2012.

The Benanti family can proudly claim to be one of the pioneers of Etna’s winemaking, instrumental in its viticulture throughout history, contributing first hand to its evolution.

Learn more:

Website:https://www.benanti.it/en/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benantiwinery/

About the host Cynthia Chaplin:

Cynthia Chaplin is a Vinitaly International Academy certified Italian Wine Ambassador, a professional sommelier with Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and the Worldwide Sommelier Association, a member of Le Donne del Vino, and a Professor of Italian Wine and Culture.

She is the Host of VOICES covering DEI in the wine industry every Wednesday for Italian Wine Podcast and a contributing author and editor for the recently published Wine Democracy (2022) and Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0 (2023). She has her own consulting business, Cynthia Chaplin Wine, and she works with Vinitaly International as Project and Events Manager, WSET Certified Educator, Editorial Manager and Coordinator of Vinitaly International Academy.

Learn more:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/kiss_my_glassx/⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/people/Italian-Wines-in-English/100036868372598/⁠

⁠linkedin.com/in/cynthia-chaplin-190647179⁠

Welcome to Episode 5, "Winemaking and viticulture with the old vines of the Don Melchor vineyard in Puente Alto" on ⁠The Old Vine Conference Podcast⁠. Today Cynthia Chaplin sits down with Enrique Tirado, CEO and Technical Director of Viña Don Melchor in Chile. Also in attendance is Ben Smith, in charge of Corporate Communications for Concha y Toro UK.

Today’s discussion is all about Viña Don Melchor, focusing on its Puente Alto vineyard. Enrique highlights the unique terroir influenced by the Andes, the use of Massal selection, and their agroecology model, dividing the vineyard into 151 mini parcels to enhance biodiversity and achieve purity and precision in winemaking. They also talk about the intriguing Sundial Project, initiated in 2018. This is an innovative vineyard design at Don Melchor, featuring a radial, sunburst pattern aimed at sustainability and climate adaptation. The project tests factors like row orientation and density, gathering data to enhance both new and old vines, preserving the old vineyard’s genetic legacy.

To learn more about ⁠The Old Vine Conference⁠, please visit us at www.oldvines.org and follow us on instagram: @ouroldvines.

More about Enrique Tirado and Viña Don Melchor:

Enrique Tirado is a leading figure in Chile's wine industry, known for his expertise in the Puente Alto appellation. Since 1997, he has directed Don Melchor, Chile’s iconic Cabernet Sauvignon, maintaining a tradition of collaboration with top Bordeaux consultants. With a degree in agronomy and studies in Bordeaux, he became GM of Viña Don Melchor in 2019. Enrique's innovative projects, including the Sundial Vineyard, focus on sustainability and terroir excellence.

Learn more:

Website:https://donmelchor.com/en/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donmelchorwine/

About the host Cynthia Chaplin:

Cynthia Chaplin is a Vinitaly International Academy certified Italian Wine Ambassador, a professional sommelier with Fondazione Italiana Sommelier and the Worldwide Sommelier Association, a member of Le Donne del Vino, and a Professor of Italian Wine and Culture.

She is the Host of VOICES covering DEI in the wine industry every Wednesday for Italian Wine Podcast and a contributing author and editor for the recently published Wine Democracy (2022) and Italian Wine Unplugged 2.0 (2023). She has her own consulting business, Cynthia Chaplin Wine, and she works with Vinitaly International as Project and Events Manager, WSET Certified Educator, Editorial Manager and Coordinator of Vinitaly International Academy.

Learn more:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/kiss_my_glassx/⁠

⁠https://www.facebook.com/people/Italian-Wines-in-English/100036868372598/⁠

⁠linkedin.com/in/cynthia-chaplin-190647179⁠