Lunae

The name Lunae is inspired by the city of Luni, an ancient Etruscan and Greek sea port dedicated to the Greek goddess, Selene, known as Luna by the Romans. Located in the south-eastern corner of Liguria, touching northern Tuscany, the hillsides of Luni are a renowned winemaking appellation sitting among a crossroads of cultures, such as the Etruscan, Greek and Roman cultures which have thrived here ever since the first settlements in the area in 177 BC. According to Pliny the Elder, the wines made in the Luni hills were the best wines in Etruria meaning they were considered among the best in central Italy. Lunae wines are the modern day expression of this noble heritage of amazing winemaking.

A landscape between sea and mountains, the hills of Luni stretch from the Gulf of La Spezia in the Ligurian Sea to the Apuan Alps. The area enjoys a unique Mediterranean micro-climate with warm and windy conditions in the hills and significant day/night temperature differences. All in all, ideal conditions to obtain wines with a splendid aromatic elegance and an excellent structure. The soil types of the Magra Valley range from alluvial or sandy soils to poorer, dry soils up on the hillsides, which also helps to produce wines with a diversity of personalities.

The firm was founded in 1966 by the Bosoni family. It is hardly surprising to find that they have the largest winery and warehouse in Liguria, showing the strength and importance of this family business firmly rooted in this region. Lunae is the reference winery for Vermentino wines in Liguria, a winey working for four generations to defend and promote the value of small vineyards which have always been so characteristic in the historic region of Lunigiana. A natural heritage of winemaking and biodiversity.

The Lunae winery works with the utmost respect for ecosystems both in the vineyards and in the production process. They avoid using herbicides and only use natural fertilizers. Grapes are harvested by hand and then carefully selected before being tasted just before starting the vinification process, including grapes which come from about 150 local producers who work with Lunae, all experienced local vine-growers. It should come as no surprise, then, that Lunae’s style is based on strictness in quality, excellent fruit and the pleasant and easy-to-drink character of all their wines.

The two most typical and classic wines from the Bosoni brothers are both Vermentinos: Etichetta Grigia and Etichetta Nera. The first is fresher and more mineral-like, aged for a few months in stainless steel tanks, whereas the second undergoes a maceration process with skins for 48 hours before spending at least six months in steel, resulting in a more structured and fruity wine. Two different wines, but sharing irresistible notes of peach, so typical of seductive Vermentino wines.