Z&M is more than a veteran-owned business; our co-owner Gina is proud of her Italian roots. In addition to our military heritage, we’ve got traditional Italian wine in our blood.
Order Z&M Twisted Vines traditional Sicilian wine, Harvest Moon, shipped right to you!
Traditional Wine From Italy: The Basics
What makes Italian wine so special? The best Italian wines from the various Italian wine regions each have something that makes them special.
To understand just why we’re so crazy about all things Italia, let’s have a little history lesson.
THE ETRUSCANS
The Italian wine story begins nearly 4,000 years ago. Yes, it goes that far back!
Before the Romans dominated the Italian peninsula (and the wider known world), the Etruscan people inhabited the area. Their origins are vaguely mysterious, but think of them as a bridge between Ancient Greek culture and Ancient Roman culture.
They were a people who excelled at agriculture as well as commerce, and here begins our tale.
Much of the Etruscan economy relied on the wine trade. This endeavor took them as far as France, serving as evangelists for the fermented grape beverage. The earliest forms of European wine production began in the Italian wine region of Tuscany.
They used herbs that continue in popularity into modern times: rosemary, thyme, and basil. The Etruscans stored and traded their wine in ornately-decorated ceramic jugs called amphorae.
To this very day, the Tuscan landscape is sprinkled with Etruscan architecture and artifacts. Likewise, the region persists in its reputation for producing some of the best Italian wines.
THE ROMANS
As Etruscan civilization declined and the Roman world was on the ascendancy, the region continued its winemaking tradition.
Pompeii was at one point, one of the primary drivers of wine production in ancient Rome (before the volcano, obviously). They were big fans of the wine god, Bacchus.
Like the Etruscans, Romans stored wine in amphorae, which they also decorated. They traded and exported their wine around Europe across their provinces. Technically, however, only Roman citizens could cultivate grapes for wine.
Roman wines included mulsum, a wine that they sweetened with honey, and which enjoyed wide popularity. In fact, this sweet beverage grew so popular that by the 1st century CE, for the first time, Rome was actually importing wine.
They didn’t just drink it, either. The ancient Romans used wine for medicinal purposes, as well, including to treat the wounds of gladiators.
Romans liked their wine strong, and we mean strong. Upper class Romans usually diluted their wine with water, and many would add spices and other seasonings to their wine.
SICILIAN WINE
In our opinion, the crown jewel of the Italian wine map is Sicily, where Gina’s family is from. This Italian wine region reflects a diverse history that makes its wines something really special.
The intersection of ancient cultures who passed through Sicily includes not just Romans and Greeks. Other cultures were the Phoenicians, Byzantines, Arabs, the Spanish, and the Normans.
Sicily differs slightly from the rest of the modern country of Italy; the Strait of Messina keeps it separate. The region seems like it was formed almost exclusively for wine production. Its rocky soil is ideal for growing grapes, but cannot grow almost any other crop!
Additionally, Sicily’s Mediterranean location means it enjoys a mild climate, hills, and mountains. In short, the perfect recipe for wine-growing.
The Ancient Greeks believed their wine God, Dionysus, brought wine to this charming region. In fact, the Phoenicians brought most of Sicily’s grape varietals to the area, but who are we to argue?
Sicilian wine owes its fame to the Romans, who exported the wine elsewhere. Not to brag, but it was said that Julius Caesar’s favorite wine was Sicilian.
Later (much later), another empire would amplify Sicilian wine around the world. Through a man named John Woodhouse, the British Empire ultimately popularized Marsala wine. This runaway success lit a fire under Sicilians to amp up and modernize their wine production.
Sicilian Wine Today
Today, Sicily boasts the most vineyards of any Italian wine region. Accordingly, it also is one of the leading producers by volume. Popular Italian wines that come from this area include Marsala, and the sweet dessert wines Lipari and Pantelleria.
Italian red wine grapes from this region include Perricone and Nero d’Avola. Italian white wine grapes that Sicilian vineyards grow include Grillo, Zibibbo, and Muscat Blanc.
Z&M Pays Tribute to Italy and Its Sicilian Heritage
Our vineyard is inspired by traditional Italian winemaking.
Two of our Farm to Table wines pay special tribute to Italy, as well as to Sicily itself.
Made in the best Italian wine tradition is Dolce Baci, a full-bodied red blend inspired by our trip to Pisa. We recommend pairing it with braised pork loin, or an Italian-American classic: spaghetti and meatballs.
Our Harvest Moon wine is our other tribute to popular Italian wines. It’s a particular favorite of ours, since we use the traditional winemaking methods of Gina’s Sicilian family.
Made with white grapes, Harvest Moon assumes a romantic golden glow as a result of the fermentation process. We liken it to a full-bodied Chardonnay that falls just short of the sweetness of a Moscato. Pair it with baked or breaded chicken, or a seafood linguine for maximum authenticity.
OUR NEWEST HOMAGE: FREDONIA WINE
Fredonia is dedicated to Gina’s parents crossing through Ellis Island. Fredonia is a grape grown here in Kansas, and the name is true-blue American. It first appeared in the 18th century as a proposed name for the United States.
Gina’s Sicilian Family is from Mazarra Del Vallo, where her grandfather owned four vineyards.
Mazara del Vallo, the “balcony of the Mediterranean,” is a Sicilian town and comune in the province of Trapani. Its history dates back to the ancient seafaring Phoenicians, and even today is a major fishing hub for Italy.
All of Gina’s uncles and cousins make homemade wines and own fishing boats. There is always plenty of fresh seafood (and plenty to drink!) when Gina and Bryan visit!
Stop By or Order a Bottle Today!
Harvest Moon is a tribute to Gina’s Italian winemaking heritage.
If we’ve successfully whetted your appetite for Italian wine, we encourage you to come by and see us today!
Join us at our Leavenworth winery for a tasting (620 Cherokee Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048). We’re on-site Monday through Thursday from 12pm to 6pm, and Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 8pm.
We’re at our Lawrence Vineyard (24305 Loring Rd, Lawrence, KS) every Sunday from 12pm to 6pm.
You can also check out our list of events so you can eat, drink, and be Twisted with other members of Twisted Nation!
If you’re too far away or are staying close to home these days, never fear. We offer online ordering and shipping through our website!
Come check us out! Wine experts who prefer specific types of Italian wine and casual wine lovers alike will find something love at Z&M.