iGreco - meet the winery!

FROM OLIVES TO VINES, SEVEN BROTHERS CREATE ORGANIC LOCAL FLAVOURS

 

Meet the iGreco family estate

"il senso della Calabria"

 

A family famous for its olive oil has added native wines to their portfolio of local Calabrian products.

 

Along the Ionian coast of east Calabria, the Greco family have been farming hundreds of hectares of land as olive fields for many generations, to produce some of the best Italian olive oil.

These organic groves are now sharing space with organic native grapes and the result is a collection of very interesting and multi award winning wines.

 

Following in the footsteps of their father Tommaso, the hillside estate is now managed by the seven Greco siblings - Cataldo, Ernesto, Filomena, Natale Francesco, Saverio, Marilena and Giancarlo.

 

They continue to make outstanding olive oils, including a range of delicious flavoured oils with natural chili, garlic, lemon, rosemary and truffle notes.

They are also dedicated to crafting local wines with traditional methods and they balance this with a modern laboratory to analyse both the wines and the olive oil.

The vineyards cultivate grapes indigenous to the area, with the focus on Gaglioppo and Nero di Calabria aka Calabrese (related to neighbouring Sicily’s Nero d’Avola) for the red wines, and the local variety Greco for the white wines.

 

At iGreco, “nature and work” are the founding values for the company and the siblings run the winery based on a “family tradition of respecting the seasons and the timing of nature”.

The land surrounding the estate has appealed to settlers since ancient times and stories are passed down about visits from Gods, Poets, Artists and Athletes.

The endemic vines soak up this local history through the soil and the iGreco wines offer “an experience of the senses and memory, an imaginary journey in history, in mythology, in the culture of a people”.

 

The iGreco labels feature their iconic logo, with the seven siblings represented by rings around the central sun.

* The SUN pays homage to the first step in winemaking, in the vineyard - the warmth and sunlight that all vines need to create fruit.

* The RINGS symbolise the second step, in the cellar - the passion of the winemakers who harness the potential of that fruit to transform into "nectar of the gods" aka WINE!

Did you spot that the gaps between the rings are different sizes? They represent the age gaps between the seven siblings!! :)

 

Just like the different personalities in the logo, the wines of iGreco are a varied collection of characters, with a common theme – the organic, healthy and local taste of Calabria.

 

Discover the wines of iGreco available here in Singapore, exclusively through Once Upon A Vine: https://onceuponavine.sg/collections/all/winery_igreco

 

 

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QUICK-READ TASTING NOTES

 

Bubbles ... white or pink?

Try unique Metodo Classico* sparkling wines, featuring Calabria's most interesting grape varieties - GAGLIOPPO (genetically connected to Nerello Mascalese of Etna fame) for their Gran Cuvee Millesimato Rose and GRECO BIANCO (also popular in nearby Campania) for their Gran Cuvee Millesimato Bianco.

* Traditional method, aka Champagne method, with the second fermentation in the bottle (read more here)

 

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Go fruity ... with this southern white!

FILU - an aromatic southern white perfect with soft cheese or fruity desserts. Expect notes of grapefruit, ripe tropical citrus, pineapple, mango and hints of yellow flowers.

WINERY NOTES: Hello, my name is Filù. My scent is reminiscent of Calabrian citrus and fresh flowers. I love to stay with fish starters and crustaceans. Taste me… I’m fresh and round. Scent: aromatic notes such as citrus, in particular the grapefruit. Taste: a perfect harmony between freshness and roundness, sapid, persistent and balanced, with sensation of grapefruit.

 

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Tickle me pink!

SAVU - a fruity rose from the rare, ancient grape Gaglioppo. It's fresh and fruity with lovely notes of gooseberry ... and almost like a pink version of a new world Sav Blanc :)

WINERY NOTES: I’m Gaglioppo’s son. I’m rosè like the rose and the strawberry of my bouquet. I’m strong and robust, but also soft. I conquer everyone because I’m elegant end enjoyable. I love fish starters. Taste: fresh taste, soft and with high flavour. Its pleasant and elegant softness sustained by a good level of acidity.

 

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Gaglioppo ... the rare local grape of Calabria!

CATA has been one of our top-selling reds since we first brought this wine to Singapore in 2014 :)

Juicy notes of red berries, plus vanilla, cocoa and liquorice, with a hint of something floral (dandelion?) on the finish. if you like fruity (aka New World style) Pinot Nero/Noir then this could be your new favourite tipple. It's perfect for pairing with a tomato-based pasta or pizza, or try with BBQ lamb.

WINERY NOTES: Hello, my name is Cata. I'm red and I meditate for 6 months in barriques. I'm scented like fruit and vanilla. I'm fresh and balanced. My perfect marriage is with roasted and grilled meats. Scent: It smells of red berry fruit with notes of vanilla, cocoa and liquorice. Taste: is round and persistant with sweet tannins.

 

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Calabrese, Nero Di Calabria or Nero d'Avola?

MASINO is a rich, spicy red.

Expect an intense, complex nose with notes of black fruit, berry and brambles, plus a hint of pepper and some sweet spices; medium to high acidity that's typical of Italian reds, with grippy tannins and a long finish. Perfect with BBQ meat or a roast

WINERY NOTES: I’m the little son. The real stubborn Calabrian. I’m young and strong. My colour is ruby red and my flavour is like the black cherries and blackberries. Everyone love me and for this reason I’m been rewarded. My favourite friend is the meat in sweet and sour sauce. Scent: Balsamic notes and aromatic herbs to fruity blackberry and black cherry. Taste: rich and is characterized by good sapidity and delicate tannins.

 

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Can't decide? Try a bit of both!

TUMASU - two fabulous local grapes in one delicious wine :)

Dark red fruit (thanks to the Gaglioppo) with some notes of black berry (thanks to the Calabrese) plus a mix of spices, which means this wine will pair well with smokey BBQ meats. A rich, long finish and great potential to continue to evolve in the bottle. Try now and come back to compare in 6 months' time!

WINERY NOTES: I’m the “sense of the family”. I’ve lived 12 months in new French oak barriques. My personality is complex. I’m round, soft and balanced. I was born and I grew in a noble and vigorous land, where Calabrian and Gaglioppo are merged. I love aged cheeses and game meats. Colour: Deep red colour with hints of violet. Scent: aromatic scents reminding vanilla note and ripe blackberries. Taste: soft and round and very persistent, with elegant and graceful tannins.

 

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Don't miss their limited stock EVOO!

Will it be a bottle of their delicate BRUZIO extra virgin olive oil, "produced exclusively with sweet Rossano olives ... the sense of Calabria that excites"?

Or are you looking for some extra flavour ... like their PEPERONCINO featuring real chili, or their TARTUFO BIANCO featuring real white truffle?

Why not try all three ??? :)