Volio’s Top 100 Wines in the World with Wine Spectator

Over the years, Volio has been lucky enough to have a number of our producers represented in the Wine Spectator Top 100 wines in the world. Read on to learn about these standout wines and the dedicated winemakers behind them.

2023 List newly announced as of November 13, 2023!

“The picture of harmony, elegance and purity, this red features black cherry, blackberry, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Starts supple, with vibrant acidity and firm tannins emerging on the finish. Drink now through 2033. 4,500 cases made, 1,800 cases imported.” – BS

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“Like its macerated black cherry and plum flavors, this is both sweet and intense, taking on a bittersweet chocolate richness as it powers its way to a long aftertaste. The ripeness is supported by a dense core of tannins. Best from 2014 through 2035. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,600 cases made.” – BS

Enrico almost kicked Charles off his property in 2005 at their first meeting. Jokingly, he told Charles he was too young to be a wine importer and I wouldn’t last two years. Now 13 years later (in 2018), they have enjoyed over a decade of collaboration in the US and both men have “matured” into the business. Enrico is still stirring things up, removing valuable vineyards to focus on biodiversity in the property… like planting wheat, fruit trees, vegetables, rosemary, lavender, etc. to bring about a more powerful ecosystem in the vineyards. He has also been extremely influential in connecting Volio to some amazing producers around Italy. Always promoting Volio, we will always promote Rivetto.

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“A rich Barolo, dense and powerful, boasting black cherry, plum and licorice notes. There’s also a hint of eucalyptus as this crosses the palate, ending with a wall of tannins and leading to a long, mineral finish. A brooding giant. Best from 2014 through 2035. 1,500 cases made.” – BS

There is something magnetic about the name Clerico in Italian wine. He was an icon in his early years, seeking perfection in terroir expression of Barolo vineyards while mastering cellar technique and his own definitive style of wine making. Charles was phoned by the winery shortly after the passing of the iconic Domenico Clerico to see if Volio would have an interest in representing the property in a few key markets… we jumped at the chance.

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“Bright and well-endowed with pure cherry, raspberry and black currant fruit, shaded by tobacco, licorice and mineral flavors. Elegant, intense and persistent, with a long aftertaste of fruit and mineral. This should age well, but a trade-off to lose that beautiful fruit now. Best from 2015 through 2023. 3,500 cases made.” – BS

Charles stumbled into Fattoria Poggerino in 2002 as a student abroad. His parents were visiting for his 21st birthday and his dad wanted to rent a car and hit up Chianti Classico… do a little driving and check out some wineries. He’d always appreciated wine, but tended to lean to California while still wanting to understand and appreciate Italian reds–if for no other reason than the fact that their last name, Lazzara, has Italian heritage. They took a left and a right through the endless hills of Tuscany before arriving, by luck, to Radda in Chianti. Down another hill they found an “open” sign and headed up the gravel drive of Poggerino. There, they met Benedetta and Piero Lanza. The two had been handed down the property by their mother and father in the early ’80s. Charles heard the story, tasted the wines, and almost immediately felt chills down his spine… it was here he told his dad: “If wine can be this good, maybe this would be a cool job for me”. Fast forward to 2007, Charles takes a break from working at a consulting firm to develop his imports business plan and head back to Poggerino. He told Piero he was ready to import his wines to the US and he asked where Charles was based. He said Colorado… to which Piero replied: “Where is that?”… Roughly, Charles explained, between California and New York. Oh, and he would pay cash for the first pallet of wine. The two have been fast friends ever since!

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“This finely balanced Sagrantino layers creamy tannins with a pretty array of raspberry ganache, fig cake and dried sage flavors, accented by aromatic hints of rose petal and spice. Elegant and lightly juicy, with a subtle mineral streak that gains momentum on the finish. Drink now through 2027. 4,000 cases made” – AN

In 2002, Charles’ parents took a vacation to visit him in Florence, where he was studying, for his 21st birthday. His father had read about a winery in Montefalco and wanted to drive 2.5 hours from Florence to check it out after they visited the church of Saint Francis of Assisi (about 20 minutes from the winery). Incidentally, they stayed at the bed and breakfast of a cousin to Scacciadiavoli, who recommended they try their Sagrantino at dinner that night. His dad liked it so much he bought a three-liter bottle to take home (making the rest of the trip tricky as they hauled the thing around Italy before carrying it back to the US, but he did it). In 2014, Charles’ dad brought it out of the basement for them to drink at Christmas when the whole family was in town. At that time, Charles was 7 years into Volio and was floored at how good the wine was–he called Liu at the winery the next week. As luck would have it, she had just heard of Volio through Enrico Rivetto at an event in Germany earlier that year. Thus began a warm and wonderful partnership.

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“Enticing aromas and flavors of ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit are set on the fine, lively bead in this clean-cut, mouthwatering rosé, with a chalky underpinning. Lightly spiced on the lingering finish. Drink now through 2024. 25,000 cases made, 1,300 cases imported.” —AN

Berlucchi’s excellence is born of curiosity and deep friendship. In 1955, Guido Berlucchi, a successful landowner in the Franciacorta region, approached the young enologist and consultant, Franco Ziliani, to improve his still wines. Then, Ziliani came to Berlucchi with the question: what if we were to make a sparkling wine as the French do? Berlucchi, who was eager to first improve the viability of his Pinot del Castello, offered his property and support to this pioneering experiment. After a number of unsatisfactory vintages, the two men’s partnership produced the first shining vintage of their classic method sparkling wine, the 1961 “Pinot di Franciacorta.” This was a radical departure from the still table wines traditionally produced in the area and one that would prove revelatory for the region. In 1967, Franciacorta became a recognized designation of origin for Italian wine, with Berlucchi leading the way.

**This list has been updated through 2021–though we hope to see it grow longer in coming years!