Region: Tuscany, Italy

Varietal: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot

Tasting notes: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot offers dark berry, underbrush and cooking spice aromas. The juicy palate delivers black plum, vanilla and a hint of white pepper alongside smooth tannins.

Producer: Yantra (yawn-tra) is Sanskrit for “instrument” or “machine.” A Yantra is a mandala — a map, chart or geometric pattern which is often used to reference geometrical drawings used in the Indian mystical tradition. In 1994, the Ratti family purchased more than 170 acres of isolated land near the Tuscan village of Monteverdi Marittimo between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The wild terrain used for horseback riding and wild boar hunting became the inspiration for the family's dream of winemaking. Their belief that the site was ideal for pursuing their dream was reinforced when two prominent wineries in the region expressed an interest in leasing land on the estate. In 2000, the family began planting the first vineyards on the property. The Ratti family chose the name "Tenuta Sette Cieli," or "the Estate of Seven Skies," for their winery because the property sits atop a hill at 1,300 feet with incredible views in every direction.

Vineyard and Winemaking: The 173-acre estate overlooks terraced vineyards and the Tyrrhenian Sea, and is surrounded by the lush woods of Monteverdi Marittimo. Seventeen acres of high-density vineyards are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Because of Tenuta Sette Cieli’s respect for nature, the winery has chosen organic practices to safeguard the environment. Everything is done by hand in the vineyards, with careful attention to each detail. The journey continues in the cellar where the winery employs single-variety vinification. Fermentation starts with wild yeasts, and the final selection of the wines is done only after a period of barrel aging in French oak barrels.