Visiting Colaneri and Meeting Winemaker Andrzej Lipinski

We followed Robert to Colaneri Estate Winery, to meet with their winemaker Andrzej Lipinski, who uses equipment made by Criveller, including the Estasi destemmer/crusher that we were interested in. Andrzej gave high marks to the Estasi and said that he also doesn't use the crusher until after the grapes have gone through the destemmer and are carefully sorted to ensure selection of the best quality grapes. Andrzej uses the appasimento process of drying the grapes in modified tobacco kilns in his winemaking. The appasimento process is used by the Italians to make Amarone, but here at Colaneri, a portion of the grapes are treated in this manner and blended back into the wine. The result is a bevy of trophy winners garnered by Colaneri:

Mike from Toronto had joined us at this point and we were treated to a barrel/tank tasting of Andrzej's 2011 Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Reisling which would soon be bottled.

We also tasted their wines---nothing quite like it! While we were tasting, co-owner Betty Colaneri stopped by to chat with Robert and they were both wearing the same chartreuse colored apparel. Great minds think alike! Read more about Andrzej Lipinski and his unique style of winemaking in an article called Kiln Dried which appeared in Tidings on September 21, 2011.