Andrea Felici
Current winemaker Leo Felici is hot property in Italy right now. In 2020, he won the coveted award for 'Italy's Best Winemaker' by the Gambero Rosso Guide, and from there his star power has only continued to soar.
Based in Marche, Leo crafts his family wines in the rolling hills of Apiro which sit at 516m above sea level. The cooling influence of this altitude, tempers the beautiful Italian sunshine and makes from fantastic expressions of Verdicchio: the grape that defines the white wines of this area. He works organically, though without certifications, and takes a thoughtful approach to his winemaking that sees minimal intervention and a focus on allowing the unique, local terroir to shine.
Don't just take our word for it though. Antonio Galloni of Vinous.com proclaims that:
'Leopardo Felici has a great hand with the Verdicchio grape, producing two of the Marche’s best white wines. Clearly, the vineyard location in the cool-climate, hilly area between Apiro and Cupramontana is a big help, as the wines have high natural acidity, a strong mineral overlay and wonderful clarity. But strong viticultural and winemaking skills also play a role. Felici is one of the few producers of “vino biologico” in Italy talented enough to avoid making wines with off-putting aromas, and his decision not to use oak (only stainless steel and cement vats are used) also contributes to the precision of the wines. Andrea Felici is a name to watch in Italian wine circles.'