Il Maestro: Antonio Sanguineti

I don’t know about you, but I gotta love a winemaker who drives what locals refer to as la Banana Rapida.

For Antonio Sanguineti, his brilliant yellow Audi wagon that speeds throughout the Tuscan countryside is as much motif as it is automotive in his life full of bold moves, including the bold wines he crafts so carefully and which have earned him the nickname, Il Maestro.

The story goes that his family owned vineyards, but when he was but a child the family fell on hard times and had to sell those vineyards.  The fruitful land was gone, but clearly not the expertise that evolved.  A winemaker without a vineyard is not so unusual these days, and Sanguineti’s palate and gift for making incredible wine blends led him to work as a consultant, often being paid in wine grapes that he hand-selects to make his unusual and provocative limited production wines. Today, his Small Vineyards company is known for its unique wines that focus on quality not quantity.

Sanguineti’s flamboyant personality conveys to his unique Italian wines that garner constant praise.  Lucky for Hinsdale, he is bringing at least five of those wines to town Saturday, Feb. 27^th, 5-8 p.m., for a $20 tasting, that is sure to stun the taste buds. Hinsdale Cellars will host the event that includes: one white, Verdicchio, followed by Chianti, a couple of Super Tuscans, and a Brunello.  (Note: Many credit his il Maestro nickname to his incredible Brunello.)

The evening promises to be a brief, but magical oenological trip to Tuscany certain to bring you back home a bit dizzy from the whirlwind sensory tour.  Afterall, Sanguineti is a man of adventure whose favorite toast is: “May we all die young — as late as possible!”

Tasting fees will be applied to any purchases that evening, and limited reservations are still available for the event. Call 630.654.9862 to save yourself a place.