Testalonga

Antonio Perrino Testalonga Vineyards Liguria, Italy Liguria is a tiny crescent-shaped strip running along the Mediterranean on Italy’s west coast fromt eh French border to Tuscany. The region is known more for its sunny beaches, resorts and olive groves. Considering viticulture from the regions rugged vineyards descending from the Apennines is difficult, with small returns, many vignerons have turned away from wine pursue a livelihood in other industries. Only a few very passionate viticulturists remain, and their production is very limited. Antonio Perrino is one of the few who remain. Absolutely passionate, he is one of the great winegrowers in this tiny region, considered by many to be its top producer. He hails from Dolceacqua, a commune directly on the border of France. There, medieval homes are set against the dramatic mountainsides; archeological remains testify to the fact that people have lived in this rough region since the Iron Age. Perrino cultivates his Rossese and a variety of other indigenous varietals methodically, using time-worn techniques. He, like all the other producers in Dolceacqua, has small parcels of steeply terraced vineyards. Perrino’s vines are particularly old; they have very low yields, but produce exquisite wines. He is located in the Arcagna vineyard, one of the top sites in the area.