Special Label Wines for Cancer
Help us change the cancer treatment paradigm!
We have created two special label wines in order to support the Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health (MTIH), an innovative organization that seeks to change the way we manage cancer and provides hope to those afflicted with this devastating illness. 10% of proceeds from the sale of these wines will be donated to the MTIH. Details about this organization and our 2021 Sangiovese/Syrah and 2021 Petite Sirah are below.
There are some brave researchers and medical professionals that are trying to sound the alarm and change the approach to preventing, managing and healing cancer through a root cause functional medicine approach. One of these courageous souls is Dr. Nasha Winters (read about her amazing journey here). She is a naturopathic oncologist, stage 4 terminal ovarian cancer survivor and founder of the Metabolic Terrain Institute of Health (MTIH). The organizations’ mission is to “implement the metabolic approach to cancer by treating the root cause and symptoms of each person’s unique cancer process.” They provide funding to cancer patients, education to the community and are building a metabolic integrative cancer treatment hospital (more about MTIH can be found here). Currently it is almost impossible for most cancer patients to get access to the few physicians and other health professionals who are utilizing this cutting-edge approach. But the more we spread the message about the metabolic cause of cancer, the easier it will be for patients and caregivers to get the support they need.
2021 Sangiovese/Syrah
92 cases produced
$29.99
It has always been a dream of ours to produce a wine that unifies our old world roots in Italy and new world roots in Washington state. With this single vineyard blend, we think we have achieved an outstanding, unique wine that harmonizes these roots. We took the most celebrated Italian grape variety, Sangiovese, and blended it with the most iconic variety in the Walla Walla Valley, Syrah. The grapes come from a small vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley called Wheatfield Vines Vineyard. This wine pays homage to the Italian immigrants who first planted grapes in the valley in the late 1800s and also celebrates the trailblazing spirit of Washington’s winemakers.
Inspiration for the label came from a painting by my late cousin Francesco Svizzero. He was the great-nephew of my maternal great-grandfather who first came to Washington state in 1904. Francesco was a prominent local artist and author in his hometown of Prezza and known for his dynamic use of color. His painting named “La Forza Della Vita” or “The Strength of Life” depicts a very old large oak tree near the family property at the base of the mountain below Prezza. Unfortunately, Francesco lost a battle with cancer in 2023. This wine seeks to honor his incredible talent and his deep, kind, beautiful soul.
Tasting notes:
Enticing aromas of bing cherry, red currant, wild strawberry, tilled soil, anise and sagebrush. Luscious red fruits dance alongside candied orange peel on the medium bodied, seamless palate. Satiny, superfine tannins carry a savory olive note, leading to a plum and apricot fruit finish.
Pictured above: (top left) me and my son Lorenzo with Francesco’s wife Marilena at her home in front of the painting used on my wine label. (top right) Me standing in front of the large tree used as inspiration for the painting. (bottom left) Me with Francesco at his home in 2009. (bottom right) Wheatfield Vines Vineyard at the base of the Blue Mountains.
2021 Petite Sirah
104 cases produced
$29.99
The inspiration for this wine comes from the character of my paternal grandfather (nonno) Vittorio De Santis. The label features a picture of him in Russia with his dog during winter in World War 2 after being forced into service in the Italian army. Being a man of strong conviction, he refused to support the fascist movement and deserted Mussolini’s army, returning home to his town of Pratola Peligna. He tended many vineyards in the area, including his own, and produced wine for most of his life. My grandmother (Nonna Ernesta) died in 1979 from uterine cancer, 3 years before I was born. My nonno passed away in 2005 when I was in medical school, however, I was fortunate to be able to spend time with him on several trips to Italy. He truly embodied the spirit of the Abruzzo region, defined by the motto of “forte e gentile” or “strong and kind.”
We chose to produce this 100% Petite Sirah (one of the darkest and boldest varietals) from Red Heaven Vineyard on Red Mountain to honor my Nonno’s dedication to local viticulture as well as his bold and virtuous spirit. This is the only wine that we have ever aged in American oak (53% new) in order to impart robust flavors that complement the rich fruit. This wine is one that will not only warm your body on a cold winter night like the one depicted on the label but will also hopefully warm your soul when you share it with those you love.
Tasting notes:
Explosive aromas of macerated black cherries, mixed berry pie, new leather, cola and brûléed marshmallow. There are waves of generous dark red fruits which lend a full, yet soft and silky mouthfeel, with hints of nutmeg and tobacco. Black pepper bolsters the cocoa powder laced tannins on the finish.
Pictured above: (top left) My grandfather serving in the Italian army in Russia during WW2. (top right) Red Heaven Vineyard on Red Mountain in the winter. (bottom left) My father with my grandfather at our family farm in Pratola Peligna, 1993. (bottom right) Me, my son Lorenzo and Zio Ennio (my father’s brother) in our family vineyard in Pratola Peligna, 2024.