Ligurian Wines – Italy’s Best Kept Secret - 15th May, 259 Kings Road

Ligurian Wines – Italy’s Best Kept Secret

An Evening of Coastal Elegance & Discovery

Welcome to this special tasting dedicated to the wines of Liguria – a region often described as Italy’s best kept secret. Tucked between the Alps and the Mediterranean, Liguria is a narrow, mountainous coastal strip where heroic viticulture is a way of life.

The terrain is steep and unforgiving, with vineyards clinging to rocky terraces built by hand over centuries. Because of these challenges, production is very limited, but the reward is a collection of wines that are uniquely vibrant, saline, and true to their place. With the sea to one side and forested hills to the other, the wines of Liguria capture the freshness of the maritime breeze and the minerality of the land in every sip.

We are delighted to welcome two special guests this evening:

– Ivo Varbanov, your host and the UK importer of these wines. Ivo is also a pioneer wine producer in Bulgaria, where his boutique winery is known for its refined, terroir-driven wines. A passionate advocate for Ligurian wine, he brings these hidden gems to the UK market with care and purpose.

– Linda Salvetti, daughter of the family behind Pietra del Focolare, one of Liguria’s standout family-run wineries. Located in the Colli di Luni DOC, Pietra del Focolare is known for its commitment to traditional methods and native varieties, producing wines of honesty, elegance, and a strong sense of place.

Tonight's Wines

1. Villa Linda Vermentino 2022 – Pietra del Focolare (Colli di Luni DOC)

Named after the winery’s matriarch, this Vermentino is bright and refreshing, with notes of white peach, citrus zest, and Mediterranean herbs. It’s a pure and lively expression of the Ligurian coast.

2. Campo alle Rose Vermentino 2022 – Pietra del Focolare (Colli di Luni DOC)

From a select vineyard with stony soils, this wine offers more structure and depth. Aged on fine lees, it reveals ripe citrus, wildflowers, and a lingering mineral finish—showing the more complex, food-friendly side of Vermentino.

3. Solarancio Vermentino Superiore 2022 – Solarancio (Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC)

A fuller-bodied, sun-kissed Vermentino that balances richness with maritime freshness. Expect notes of orange blossom, ripe lemon, and a distinctive salty tang—perfectly capturing Liguria’s western coast.

Reds of the Riviera

4. Granaccia 2023 – BioVio (Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC)

Liguria’s take on Grenache—known locally as Granaccia—is juicy and aromatic. This organic red bursts with red berries, herbs, and spice. BioVio is a small, family-run estate known for preserving local traditions with a sustainable touch.

5. Rossese di Dolceacqua Superiore 2022 – Mauro Ziino (Rossese di Dolceacqua DOCG)

Light, floral, and full of nuance, this Rossese offers aromas of pomegranate, rose, and savory herbs. Mauro Ziino is a passionate, small-scale winemaker crafting delicate wines from tiny, hand-tended parcels in Dolceacqua.

6. Ormeasco di Pornassio Superiore – Cascina Nirasca (Ormeasco di Pornassio DOC)

This high-altitude red—made from Ormeasco, a Ligurian clone of Dolcetto—is elegant and spicy, with red cherry, violet, and earthy tones. Cascina Nirasca farms some of the region’s most rugged vineyards with great care and tradition.