On the Vine: Top 20 Wines

managed, employing organic farming and regenerative agriculture practices.

This summer, Sangre de Toro sponsored the Beyond the Pale music festival, while Celeste will also collaborate with the Porthouse Group to host an underthe-stars dinner, combining gastronomy with celestial wonder.

Familia Torres continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in sustainability and climate action. Their visionary approach and unwavering commitment inspire the wine industry and beyond to join the race towards a greener and more sustainable future.

14. E&J Gallo - California (Comans Beverages)

The third biggest mover in our chart this year, up two places from 16th place to number 14 is Gallo Family Vineyards, the owner of Apothic, the number one premium wine brand in the USA.

Michael Ryan, Marketing Manager at Comans Beverages, told Retail News that as well as Gallo’s larger brands, their premium wines, such as the Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel (RRP €20) are also performing well. Ravenswood is an iconic, cult range of Zinfandel wines from America’s renowned ‘King of Zin’, Joel Peterson. The wines are expressive and lively and produced using old world inspiration in the winemaking process. There are very few wineries that have had the philosophy and expertise of one man for over 30 years. Ravenswood has a massive cult following in the United States and it is spreading, making this wine a must-have addition to any good retail portfolios in the independent off trade.

15. Villa Maria - New Zealand (Barry & Fitzwilliam)

Villa Maria

Estate was founded by Sir George Fistonich in 1961; in 2021 he sold it to Indevin New Zealand and the purchase included Villa Maria's Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Auckland wineries and vineyards, as well as the flagship brand, Villa Maria. A leader in sustainability, innovation and quality, Villa Maria is recognised as an icon in the NZ wine industry.

Villa Maria has created approachable, food friendly wines of premium quality from many of New Zealand’s key winegrowing regions.

Blanc herbaceous characters but with red berry notes. With an ABV of 12.5% and relatively low sugar levels, make sure you stock this award-winning addition to the Villa Maria range. Villa Maria Blush Sauvignon was awarded Bronze at both the IWSC and the International Wine Challenge in 2021. Look out for it on offer in SuperValu this summer.

16. Faustino

DOCa RiojaSpain (Richmond Marketing)

Bodegas Faustino, a winery of Familia Martínez Zabala, has been a leading exporter of Rioja Gran Reserva for over 30 years, with a market share of 35% of the most prestigious category in Rioja. Faustino is recognised as one of the World's Most Admired Wine Brands, appearing in 2023, for the sixth year, on the Drinks International Top 50 list.

Sauvignon is made from a blend of 86% Sauvignon Blanc blended with 14% Merlot to add a hint of colour to this very appealing fresh style of

Kevin O’Mahony of Barry & Fitzwilliam told Retail News that the Villa Maria Private Bin Range will be on offer this summer with an RRP of €13, down from €16.99. Today, Dave Roper is Villa Maria’s winemaker; his 2022 Villa Maria Blush Sauvignon (RRP €14.95) is a brand-new addition to their range, made from a blend of 86% Sauvignon Blanc blended with 14% Merlot to add a hint of colour to this very appealing fresh style of Rosé, showing all those lovely Sauvignon

David Kilcommons of Richmond Marketing told Retail News , that Bodegas Faustino and the world-famous architect Lord Norman Foster recently unveiled 'The Legacy of Bodegas Faustino', which will transform Bodegas Faustino into the most innovative and sustainable wine architectural complex worldwide. The project aims at a complete redesign that benefits all the surroundings, the winery and vineyard. New areas for visitors and new buildings will be built and the existing facilities will be remodelled. As a result, the visitors to Bodegas Faustino will be able to enjoy the most complete and