Future Stars of Wine
The Names That Will Define the Next Generation of Fine Wine
Five, ten, fifteen years from now, serious wine collectors will look back at certain names and wonder why they weren't paying closer attention. The next generation of legendary winemakers is already among us. Some are just beginning to make their mark, while others have spent years quietly building reputations that have yet to reach their full potential. What unites them isn't their age, their pedigree, or even their approach to winemaking. It's our conviction that their greatest chapters are still ahead.
Some are inheriting centuries of family tradition, carrying extraordinary legacies forward while finding ways to make them their own. Others are building something entirely from scratch, challenging conventions and pursuing visions that could reshape how we think about great wine. Some work among the world's most celebrated vineyards, where expectations couldn't be higher. Others are championing overlooked regions, convinced that the right combination of terroir, talent, and determination could establish an entirely new benchmark for excellence.
Tradition and innovation aren't opposing forces here. They're two paths toward the same ambition: creating wines that will matter for generations. Whether preserving an extraordinary inheritance, redefining a familiar appellation, or introducing the world to somewhere it has yet to fully appreciate, these winemakers are shaping the future of fine wine in real time.
At SommSelect, we believe discovering greatness is about more than recognizing what's already famous. It's about understanding who is building something extraordinary before the rest of the world catches up.
Chiara Condello
Putting Predappio on the Fine Wine Map
Born: N/A
Region: Predappio, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Known For: Sangiovese
Price Status: $30–$80
Comparison: Elisabetta Foradori
First Vintage: 2015
When the world thinks of great Sangiovese, it thinks of Tuscany. But across the Apennines in Emilia-Romagna, Chiara Condello is proving that one of Italy's greatest grapes has another extraordinary home. After studying economics in Milan, Chiara returned to her family's Condé estate before launching her own project in 2015. Her mission is to elevate Predappio, a historic but overlooked region with centuries of winemaking tradition, into the conversation alongside Italy's most prestigious appellations.
Working with approximately five hectares of organically farmed Sangiovese, Chiara draws on Predappio's distinctive Spungone soils, rich in calcareous sandstone and ancient marine deposits, to produce wines celebrated for their elegance, freshness, and mineral precision. Indigenous fermentations, extended macerations, and restrained oak influence allow the terroir to take center stage. Her flagship Le Lucciole Riserva, sourced from a tiny 0.8-hectare vineyard, demonstrates remarkable depth and aging potential, while the exceptionally rare Lo Stralisco represents her most ambitious expression of Predappio.
Despite launching her independent label just over a decade ago, Chiara has already earned significant international acclaim. Her 2020 Le Lucciole Riserva received 96 points from Wine Enthusiast and appeared among its Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2025. Her 2021 Le Lucciole and 2023 Predappio Sangiovese also earned 95 points from Wine Enthusiast, demonstrating exceptional quality across her portfolio.
What Elisabetta Foradori did for Teroldego, Chiara Condello may ultimately do for Sangiovese di Predappio. Foradori transformed perceptions of an overlooked regional grape, establishing it among Italy's most respected wines. Chiara faces a different challenge. She doesn't need to prove Sangiovese can be extraordinary; Tuscany has already done that. Her challenge is convincing the world that greatness doesn't end at Tuscany's borders.
Chiara isn't trying to create a new identity for Predappio. She's revealing one that has existed for centuries. With growing critical acclaim, increasingly sought-after wines, and a distinctive interpretation of Sangiovese, she's helping redefine the region's place in Italian fine wine. The most influential winemakers don't simply make exceptional wines. They change how we think about where exceptional wines can come from. Chiara Condello has the potential to do exactly that.
Clemens Krutzler
A New Generation of Austrian Wine Royalty
Born: 2002
Region: Eisenberg, Burgenland, Austria
Known For: Blaufränkisch & Welschriesling
Price Status: $25–$45
Comparison: Roland Velich (Moric)
First Vintage: 2020
At just 18 years old, Clemens Krutzler began experimenting with a single barrel of wine at his family's historic Austrian estate. What started as a personal project in 2020 has evolved into an independent label attracting international attention. Now 23, Clemens represents the fifth generation of Weingut Krutzler, one of Austria's most respected Blaufränkisch producers. His grandfather Hermann helped establish the family's reputation with the legendary Perwolff, a wine that became a benchmark for the entire region. Rather than simply inheriting that legacy, Clemens is creating his own, with a fresher, more experimental interpretation of Austria's signature red grape.
Working with his family's vineyards in Eisenberg, or "Iron Mountain," Clemens draws on iron-rich schist and clay soils in one of Burgenland's coolest growing areas. His low-intervention approach emphasizes early harvesting, spontaneous fermentation, restrained extraction, and minimal new oak, producing wines with vibrant acidity and remarkable precision. His Blaufränkisch captures the region's characteristic dark fruit, pepper, and mineral intensity, while his experimental Mash-Up, a co-fermentation of Blaufränkisch and Welschriesling, demonstrates a willingness to challenge traditional winemaking conventions. His tiny-production bottlings, including examples limited to approximately 1,300 bottles, make this an especially exciting emerging label.
In 2024, at just 21, Clemens was voted Burgenland's most popular young winemaker in Falstaff's nationwide competition, which attracted more than 14,000 votes across Austria. His family's flagship Perwolff has also earned extraordinary critical recognition, including 99 points from Falstaff for both the 2022 and 2023 vintages. Although those scores belong to the family estate rather than Clemens's independent wines, they demonstrate the exceptional winemaking pedigree behind his emerging project.
What Roland Velich accomplished for Austrian Blaufränkisch, Clemens Krutzler may help carry into its next generation. Through Moric, Velich challenged perceptions of Austrian red wine, championing elegance, terroir, and the age-worthy potential of Blaufränkisch. Clemens shares that commitment to freshness and regional identity but approaches it with a younger, more experimental sensibility. Where Velich helped establish Blaufränkisch's international credibility, Clemens represents a generation determined to expand its possibilities.
Few winemakers begin their careers with such an extraordinary combination of heritage, ambition, and early recognition. Clemens has access to exceptional vineyards, generations of accumulated knowledge, and the freedom to establish a distinctive personal style. His family's reputation was built on demonstrating how great Blaufränkisch could be. Clemens is exploring what it can become. At just 23, his greatest achievements may still be decades away.
Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau
The Son of a Legend, Writing His Own Legacy
Born: October 21, 1982
Region: Loire Valley, France
Known For: Sauvignon Blanc
Price Status: $100–$400+
Comparison: Didier Dagueneau (Father)
First Vintage in Charge: 2008
Few winemakers or people inherit a legacy as extraordinary or as intimidating as Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau. His father, Didier, was the rebellious genius who transformed Sauvignon Blanc from an everyday varietal into some of the world's most coveted white wines. When Didier died in a plane crash just weeks before the 2008 harvest, Louis-Benjamin, then only 25, suddenly found himself responsible for one of France's most celebrated estates. Nearly two decades later, he has done far more than preserve his father's reputation. He's proving that the Dagueneau story didn't end with Didier.
Working across some of the Loire's most distinctive flint and limestone terroirs, Louis-Benjamin continues the estate's obsessive approach to viticulture, with exceptionally low yields, meticulous vineyard management, and painstaking cellar work. Legendary bottlings like Silex, Pur Sang, and Buisson Renard remain benchmarks for Sauvignon Blanc, celebrated for their extraordinary concentration, precision, and longevity. While preserving his father's uncompromising standards, Louis-Benjamin has continued experimenting with fermentation vessels, extended aging, and increasingly individual expressions of terroir.
Louis-Benjamin's achievements have earned recognition in their own right. In 2011, Wine & Spirits named him among its 30 Under 30, recognizing his remarkable stewardship of the domaine. Vinous critic Joel B. Payne has observed that the estate's meticulous standards have become even more exacting under his direction. In September 2026, Le Monde profiled his decision to move beyond the Pouilly-Fumé appellation, demonstrating that the rebellious independence associated with his father remains very much alive.
Didier Dagueneau changed what the world believed Sauvignon Blanc could become. Louis-Benjamin has the opportunity to take that revolution even further. Didier was a provocateur, an obsessive perfectionist who challenged convention and elevated Pouilly-Fumé into the highest ranks of fine wine. His son inherited not only the vineyards but the impossible expectations attached to them. Yet Louis-Benjamin has demonstrated that he possesses the same uncompromising pursuit of excellence, coupled with a quieter, more measured personality. The father built the legend. The son is proving that greatness can survive—and evolve—across generations.
Louis-Benjamin has already spent nearly two decades proving himself worthy of the Dagueneau name. But the more fascinating question is what happens over the next twenty years. With his own body of work growing, his willingness to challenge appellation conventions, and some of the world's most extraordinary Sauvignon Blanc vineyards at his disposal, he has the opportunity to transform an inherited legacy into a defining achievement of his own. Didier Dagueneau will always be remembered as a revolutionary. Louis-Benjamin may ultimately be remembered as the man who carried that revolution into an entirely new era.
Gaia & Rossana Gaja
The Sisters Carrying Italy's Most Legendary Wine Dynasty Into a New Era
Born: Gaia (1979), Rossana (1981)
Region: Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
Known For: Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, Barolo & Vineyard Innovation
Price Status: Established luxury; $100–$1,000+
Comparison: Angelo Gaja (Father)
Joined Family Estate: Gaia (2004), Rossana (2009)
Few families have shaped the modern world of fine wine as profoundly as the Gajas. When Angelo Gaja joined the family estate in 1961, Barbaresco still lived largely in Barolo's shadow, and Italian wine was fighting for recognition on the international stage. Angelo challenged that hierarchy, transforming Barbaresco into one of the world's most prestigious appellations through revolutionary vineyard practices, individual vineyard bottlings, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality. Now his daughters, Gaia and Rossana Gaja, are helping lead the fifth generation of this extraordinary dynasty. Gaia has become one of Italian wine's most recognizable international ambassadors, while Rossana brings a complementary focus on winemaking, vineyard management, and production. Together, they're navigating a challenge few winemakers will ever face: taking an already legendary estate somewhere it has never been.
The sisters oversee an extraordinary portfolio that includes Barbaresco's legendary Sorì San Lorenzo, Sorì Tildìn, and Costa Russi, alongside prestigious vineyards in Barolo, Montalcino, and Bolgheri. Yet their ambitions extend beyond preserving these celebrated wines. Gaia and Rossana have championed greater biodiversity, healthier vineyard ecosystems, and innovative approaches to climate adaptation, collaborating with scientists and researchers to protect the family's vineyards for future generations. The family's expansion into Alta Langa, where higher elevations offer new opportunities for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, demonstrates a willingness to explore unfamiliar territory while maintaining Gaja's uncompromising standards. Their challenge isn't simply to preserve the family's great vineyards, but to ensure those vineyards remain capable of greatness in a changing climate.
The Gaja name already occupies the highest tier of international fine wine, but its next generation is earning recognition in its own right. Gaia has become a prominent voice in the global wine industry, with Jancis Robinson featuring her among the world's remarkable women in wine in 2024. Rossana's expertise in enology and vineyard management has attracted increasing attention, including a major 2026 interview with Corriere della Sera exploring her role within the family estate. Their work has helped sustain Gaja's exceptional reputation while introducing new priorities around sustainability, vineyard health, and the future of Italian fine wine.
Angelo Gaja spent his career challenging the rules that governed Italian fine wine. His daughters are confronting something even he couldn't control: the changing climate. When appellation regulations conflicted with his vision, Angelo was willing to surrender the prestigious Barbaresco DOCG designation for some of his most celebrated wines rather than compromise his approach. It was an extraordinary declaration of independence. Most producers spend generations trying to earn the most prestigious regional designation possible; Angelo had built a reputation powerful enough to stand without it. Gaia and Rossana have inherited that same willingness to challenge convention, but their generation faces a fundamentally different test. Angelo fought to redefine what Italian wine could become. His daughters are working to protect the vineyards that made his revolution possible. Where Angelo challenged the rules of fine wine, Gaia and Rossana are confronting the changing conditions under which great wine must be made.
Gaia and Rossana aren't undiscovered talents. They're established leaders whose greatest influence may still lie ahead. With access to some of Italy's most extraordinary vineyards, an unmatched family legacy, and the freedom to explore new regions and approaches, the sisters occupy a remarkable position in modern wine. Their challenge isn't to build prestige from nothing, but to ensure that the family's achievements endure through a period of unprecedented change. Angelo Gaja helped establish what Italian fine wine could become. Gaia and Rossana may help determine what it takes to preserve that greatness for generations to come.
Léon Amiot
Three Centuries of Burgundy Heritage. One Extraordinary Future.
Born: April 25, 1995
Region: Morey-Saint-Denis, Burgundy, France
Known For: Pinot Noir, Clos de la Roche Grand Cru
Price Status: $75–$300+
Comparison: Jean-Marie Fourrier
First Vintage: 2020
In 1702, a Burgundian winegrower named Léon Amiot was born in Morey-Saint-Denis. More than three centuries later, another Léon Amiot is making his mark on the very same vineyards. Representing the tenth generation of his family's winemaking tradition, Léon joined his father Jean-Louis in 2020 to establish Domaine Amiot et Fils from five hectares of their family's historic holdings. At just 31, he's already emerging as one of Burgundy's most compelling young talents, bringing a renewed focus on precision, sustainability, and terroir to an estate with extraordinary pedigree.
Situated between the celebrated villages of Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny, Morey-Saint-Denis possesses some of Burgundy's most exceptional vineyards. Léon's tiny five-hectare estate encompasses 14 appellations, including five Premier Crus and two Grand Crus: Clos de la Roche and Clos Saint-Denis. His approach emphasizes organic farming, cover crops, and experimental agroforestry, with biodynamic practices increasingly influencing his work. His old-vine Les Ruchots and Les Millandes Premier Crus showcase remarkable finesse and concentration, while his Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, produced from approximately half a hectare, demonstrates the estate's extraordinary potential.
In the 2026 edition of Guide Hachette des Vins, Léon Amiot was named Burgundy's Winemaker of the Year, an extraordinary achievement just six vintages into his tenure. His 2023 Les Millandes Premier Cru received three stars and a coveted Coup de Cœur, while his 2023 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru earned another Coup de Cœur. The previous vintage of Clos de la Roche had already received three stars and the same distinction. Meanwhile, Bourgogne Aujourd'hui recognized Léon among its notable Burgundian winemakers in 2022, confirming that his reputation was developing well before his latest accolades.
Like Jean-Marie Fourrier, Léon Amiot represents a new generation breathing fresh life into historic Burgundy vineyards. Fourrier transformed his family's Gevrey-Chambertin estate into one of the Côte de Nuits' most sought-after domaines through meticulous vineyard work and an uncompromising pursuit of purity and elegance. Léon possesses a similarly compelling combination of exceptional terroir, generations of inherited knowledge, and the ambition to establish his own identity. The question isn't whether his vineyards are capable of greatness. It's how far he can take them.
Burgundy's greatest reputations are often built over generations, but occasionally a young winemaker accelerates that process dramatically. Léon Amiot has already earned one of France's most prestigious wine-guide distinctions before turning 31, while continuing to refine an estate whose vineyards have been cultivated by his family for centuries. With Grand Cru holdings, increasingly ambitious farming practices, and growing critical recognition, he possesses all the ingredients for an extraordinary career. Three hundred years established the Amiot name in Burgundy. Léon may be the generation that takes it to another level.
Tancredi Biondi-Santi
The Next Chapter of Italy's Most Legendary Wine Dynasty
Born: July 23, 1991
Region: Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
Known For: Sangiovese Grosso & Cabernet Sauvignon
Price Status: $25–$300+
Comparison: Franco Biondi-Santi (Grandfather)
Winemaking Leadership: Since 2017
Few names carry more weight in Italian wine than Biondi-Santi, the family credited with creating Brunello di Montalcino. Now, 35-year-old Tancredi Biondi-Santi, the seventh generation of this legendary dynasty, is helping write an entirely new chapter. Following the family's departure from its historic Montalcino estate in 2019, Tancredi and his father Jacopo have focused their ambitions on Castello di Montepò, a magnificent Tuscan property acquired in the late 1980s. But rather than recreating Brunello's past, Tancredi is helping establish the family's future in Maremma, a region offering extraordinary freedom to explore new expressions of Italian fine wine.
At the heart of Montepò lies Sangiovese Grosso BBS11, the prized vine selection preserved by generations of the Biondi-Santi family. Across approximately 55 hectares of vineyards surrounded by more than 600 hectares of Tuscan countryside, Tancredi is exploring how this historic selection responds to Maremma's diverse soils and microclimates. His work includes an ambitious micro-zoning project that has produced three exceptional single-vineyard wines: Poggio Ferro and Maceone, both Sangiovese, and Fontecanese, a Cabernet Sauvignon. Alongside established bottlings like Sassoalloro and Schidione, these wines demonstrate a fascinating marriage of centuries-old tradition and modern experimentation.
The early reception of Montepò's new single-vineyard wines has been extraordinary. Writing in The Tasting Panel, critic Jonathan Cristaldi awarded 100 points to both the 2019 Poggio Ferro and Fontecanese, alongside 98 points for the 2019 Maceone. In 2026, Wine Enthusiast featured Tancredi among the young winemakers shaping Maremma's future, recognizing the region's pioneering spirit and his commitment to terroir-driven winemaking. These achievements are helping establish Montepò as a serious fine-wine destination in its own right.
Franco Biondi-Santi devoted his life to preserving Brunello's extraordinary traditions. His grandson Tancredi has the opportunity to carry that same uncompromising philosophy into an entirely new region. Franco became one of Italy's most revered winemakers through his dedication to Sangiovese, longevity, and the distinctive character of Montalcino. Tancredi inherits that knowledge but operates in a landscape with fewer established conventions, allowing him to explore new terroirs, vineyard expressions, and even Cabernet Sauvignon. Where his grandfather protected one of Italy's greatest wine traditions, Tancredi has the opportunity to establish another.
Tancredi possesses something few emerging winemakers could ever hope to match: one of the most prestigious surnames in wine, generations of accumulated knowledge, and an extraordinary estate whose greatest potential may still be unrealized. Already earning remarkable critical recognition, Montepò represents far more than a continuation of the Biondi-Santi story. It's an opportunity to create a new benchmark for Maremma. His ancestors helped define Brunello di Montalcino. Tancredi may help define what comes next for great Tuscan wine.
Alvina Pernot
The Next Great Name in White Burgundy
Born: N/A
Region: Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, France
Known For: Chardonnay
Price Status: $75–$500+
Comparison: Paul Pernot (Grandfather)
First Vintage: 2018
Few emerging winemakers have inherited a more extraordinary foundation than Alvina Pernot. The granddaughter of legendary Puligny-Montrachet producer Paul Pernot, Alvina comes from one of Burgundy's most distinguished winemaking families, second only to Domaine Leflaive in vineyard holdings within the village. After working at the family estate, she established her own domaine in 2018 alongside her husband, Philippe Abadie. Rather than simply reproducing her grandfather's celebrated wines, Alvina is developing a distinctly modern interpretation of Puligny-Montrachet, emphasizing precision, freshness, and remarkable mineral intensity.
Alvina's extraordinary family connections provide access to some of Burgundy's most coveted Chardonnay vineyards, including Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Folatières, Les Pucelles, and Les Caillerets, alongside Grand Crus such as Bâtard-Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet. Favoring earlier harvesting, indigenous fermentations, and restrained new oak, she produces beautifully focused wines that emphasize individual vineyard character. What began with approximately 8,000 bottles in 2018 has developed into an increasingly impressive collection of site-specific bottlings, with additional family vineyards coming under her management in 2025.
Alvina has rapidly established herself among the most exciting new names in white Burgundy. Her 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Folatières earned 97 points from Decanter, while her Meursault Premier Cru Perrières and Puligny-Montrachet Peux Bois each received 96 points. Neal Martin of Vinous has praised the precision and individuality of her wines, while Decanter included her among its five essential producers to know in Puligny-Montrachet in 2026. Such recognition is remarkable for a domaine whose first vintage was only 2018.
Paul Pernot spent decades establishing his family name among the great producers of Puligny-Montrachet. Alvina has the opportunity to redefine what that name represents for the next generation. Her grandfather's wines became celebrated for their richness, generosity, and traditional Burgundian character. Alvina approaches many of those same exceptional terroirs with a different philosophy, pursuing greater tension, transparency, and mineral precision. Where Paul Pernot established the family's reputation, Alvina is building a new identity that may ultimately become just as influential.
Alvina possesses an extraordinary combination of pedigree, vineyard access, and genuine winemaking talent. In less than a decade, she has transformed a tiny independent project into one of Puligny-Montrachet's most closely watched emerging domaines. With access to legendary vineyards, an increasingly recognizable style, and international critical acclaim, her trajectory is particularly compelling. The Pernot name has been synonymous with exceptional white Burgundy for generations. Alvina may be the one who takes it into an entirely new era.
Alberto Alessandria
Barolo's Next Great Traditionalist
Born: 1985
Region: La Morra, Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
Known For: Nebbiolo & Single-Vineyard Barolo
Price Status: $50–$150+
Comparison: Elio Altare
Joined Family Estate: 2007
Alberto Alessandria was just 22 when he joined his family's historic Barolo estate in 2007. Representing the eighth generation of his family's winemaking tradition, he inherited a modest six-hectare property in La Morra, established as a commercial winery by his grandfather Crissante in 1958. Rather than abandoning the family's traditional approach, Alberto has spent nearly two decades refining it, introducing greater precision, improving cellar practices, and establishing Crissante Alessandria among Barolo's increasingly respected small producers. What was once a relatively undiscovered family estate is becoming a name serious collectors are paying attention to.
Alberto's vineyards lie in La Morra, one of Barolo's most celebrated villages, with prized holdings in Capalot, Galina, and Roggeri. His philosophy combines traditional extended macerations and aging in large Slavonian oak casks with meticulous, modern cellar management. His wines emphasize aromatic purity, silky tannins, and the elegance that defines great La Morra Barolo. More recently, Alberto has expanded his ambitions beyond the family's estate vineyards, producing limited bottlings from prestigious sites including Monvigliero, Villero, Rocche di Castiglione, and Lazzarito, opening an exciting new chapter for the domaine.
Alberto's growing reputation has earned him a place among the distinguished producers invited to Antonio Galloni's La Festa del Barolo in New York, where Crissante Alessandria made its debut in 2025 and returned in 2026. His 2021 Monvigliero earned 96+ points from Vinous and 96 points from Wine Advocate, while his 2021 Capalot received 95 points from both publications. Galloni has specifically praised the estate's increasing refinement and purity, recognizing a producer whose best work may still lie ahead.
Like Elio Altare, Alberto Alessandria represents the transformative potential of a new generation taking charge of a traditional La Morra estate. Altare famously challenged Barolo's conventions, helping usher in a modern era that fundamentally changed the region's international reputation. Alberto's approach is less revolutionary but equally rooted in the pursuit of excellence. Rather than rejecting tradition, he's refining it, demonstrating how meticulous vineyard work and thoughtful cellar innovation can elevate a historic family property. Where Altare helped reinvent Barolo, Alberto is showing how its traditions can continue evolving.
Alberto has already spent nearly two decades transforming his family's modest estate into a serious name in Barolo. His increasingly acclaimed single-vineyard wines, expanding access to prestigious crus, and growing international recognition suggest a producer whose reputation is still gathering momentum. Barolo's greatest estates weren't built overnight, and Alberto Alessandria is proving that patience, precision, and an uncompromising commitment to quality can be just as powerful as revolution.
Ettore Rizzi
The Next Generation of Maremma's Wine Revolution
Born: 1997
Region: Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
Known For: Saffredi, Sangiovese & Petit Manseng
Price Status: $25–$150+
Comparison: Elisabetta Geppetti (Mother)
First Vintage: 2019
At just 22 years old, Ettore Rizzi took on one of the most formidable responsibilities in Tuscan wine: helping lead production at Fattoria Le Pupille. His mother, the legendary Elisabetta Geppetti, had spent decades transforming Maremma from an overlooked corner of Tuscany into a respected fine-wine region. After studying enology and gaining experience in Piedmont, Ettore returned home in 2019, assuming responsibility for vineyard management and winemaking alongside the estate's experienced team. Now just 29, he represents the next generation of a family that helped put Maremma on the international wine map.
Fattoria Le Pupille's vineyards stretch across approximately 85 hectares of southern Tuscany, where coastal influences and diverse soils provide an extraordinary canvas for experimentation. While continuing the estate's celebrated Saffredi, a Cabernet Sauvignon-led Super Tuscan, and Poggio Valente Sangiovese, Ettore has pursued greater precision in vineyard management and more refined cellar techniques. His most distinctive project is Piemme, a tiny-production, 100% Petit Manseng, an unusual variety for Tuscany, grown in a small enclosed vineyard parcel. The wine demonstrates his willingness to explore Maremma's potential beyond its established varieties.
Ettore's debut vintage delivered one of the most impressive early achievements imaginable. The 2019 Saffredi, produced during his first harvest in a leading winemaking role, earned 96 points from Wine Spectator and ranked No. 8 on its Top 100 Wines of 2022. His experimental 2021 Piemme Petit Manseng subsequently received 95 points from Wine Enthusiast. In 2026, both Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast featured Ettore in profiles examining the next generation of winemaking talent, further establishing his reputation beyond the family's celebrated name.
Elisabetta Geppetti helped convince the world that Maremma could produce extraordinary wines. Ettore Rizzi has the opportunity to show just how much further the region can go. Known as the Lady of Morellino, Elisabetta pioneered the region's modern reputation, creating the legendary Saffredi in 1987 and establishing Fattoria Le Pupille among Tuscany's most respected estates. Ettore shares her adventurous spirit but brings a new generation's perspective, emphasizing precision, experimentation, and varieties rarely associated with Tuscany. Where his mother helped establish Maremma's identity, Ettore is exploring its untapped possibilities.
Few winemakers can claim a Top 10 Wine Spectator achievement from their very first vintage in a leading role. Yet Ettore's greatest potential lies beyond the accolades. With one of Tuscany's most celebrated estates behind him, an experimental spirit, and decades of winemaking ahead, he has an extraordinary opportunity to shape Maremma's future. His mother helped establish the region's international reputation. Ettore may be among those who carry it into an entirely new era.
Yann Bertrand
The Next Generation of Beaujolais's Natural Wine Revolution
Born: N/A
Region: Fleurie, Beaujolais, France
Known For: Gamay & Natural Winemaking
Price Status: $25–$60+
Comparison: Jean Foillard
Joined Family Estate: 2012
Yann Bertrand grew up surrounded by some of Beaujolais's greatest winemakers, yet never intended to become one himself. After studying business and traveling through the French Alps, he discovered his passion while working in natural wine bars. Returning to Fleurie in 2012, he sought guidance from legendary producers Jean Foillard and Yvon Métras, along with Jacques Néauport, a close collaborator of natural-wine pioneer Jules Chauvet. Armed with their philosophy, Yann began transforming his family's historic estate into one of the most exciting names in modern Beaujolais.
Yann works with approximately nine hectares of organically farmed vineyards, centered on Grand Pré, a remarkable stretch of sandy granite soils spanning Fleurie and Morgon. Some vines exceed 100 years of age, providing exceptional raw material for his biodynamic approach. Using whole-cluster carbonic maceration, indigenous yeasts, and little to no added sulfur, he produces vibrant, remarkably expressive Gamay. His flagship Cuvée du Chaos, sourced from some of the family's oldest vines, prioritizes purity and elegance over power, while the rare Cuvée Emile, named after his son, is produced only in exceptional vintages.
In little more than a decade, Yann has developed a devoted following among natural-wine enthusiasts and specialist merchants. His reputation was already attracting attention in 2015, when the San Francisco Chronicle featured him among the emerging producers driving Beaujolais's renaissance. More recently, iDealwine profiled his work in 2025, recognizing his commitment to biodynamic farming and the distinctive character of his wines. His flagship Cuvée du Chaos has become one of his most recognizable bottlings, while his limited-production wines continue to attract attention from serious Beaujolais enthusiasts.
Jean Foillard helped revolutionize Beaujolais. Yann Bertrand is helping carry that revolution into its next generation. As one of the celebrated producers associated with the region's natural-wine movement, Foillard demonstrated that Gamay could produce profoundly expressive, terroir-driven wines without industrial intervention. Yann learned directly from that philosophy, embracing organic farming, indigenous fermentation, and minimal manipulation. Yet he's developing a recognizable identity of his own, pushing biodynamic practices and exploring increasingly distinctive expressions of Fleurie. Where Foillard helped establish a movement, Bertrand represents its future.
Yann possesses something that can't be manufactured: a direct connection to the pioneers of natural wine, exceptional old-vine vineyards, and an increasingly recognizable personal style. Having transformed his family's estate from a relatively quiet Beaujolais property into a sought-after name among natural-wine enthusiasts, he's already demonstrated his ability to build a reputation. With decades of winemaking potentially ahead, Yann has the opportunity to become one of the defining producers of his generation in Beaujolais.
Donovan Rall
From Swartland Revolutionary to South African Wine Icon
Born: N/A
Region: Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa
Known For: Chenin Blanc, Syrah, Cinsault & Rhône-Inspired Blends
Price Status: Premium, with limited-production collectible bottlings
Comparison: Eben Sadie
First Vintage: 2008
Donovan Rall didn't simply emerge from South Africa's wine revolution. He helped create it. After studying viticulture and enology at Stellenbosch University and working harvests abroad, Donovan returned to South Africa, where a formative experience alongside legendary winemaker Eben Sadie introduced him to the extraordinary potential of Swartland's old vineyards. In 2008, with little more than a handful of barrels and an uncompromising vision, he launched Rall Wines. His very first white blend earned five stars from Platter's Wine Guide, an astonishing debut that immediately announced a major new talent. Nearly two decades later, Donovan has become one of the defining figures of South Africa's modern fine-wine movement.
Rather than building his reputation around a grand estate, Donovan has assembled an extraordinary network of vineyard sites across the Western Cape, working closely with growers to preserve old vines and express their individual character. His signature Rall White, a Chenin Blanc-led blend, and Rall Red, built around Syrah, remain benchmarks of contemporary South African winemaking. Limited-production bottlings such as Ava Chenin Blanc, Ava Syrah, and Noa Chenin Blanc explore exceptional individual sites, from schist-rich Swartland slopes to old-vine granite vineyards. His approach emphasizes spontaneous fermentation, thoughtful blending, and restrained intervention, producing wines of remarkable texture, energy, and complexity.
In 2025, Tim Atkin MW named Donovan Rall South Africa's Winemaker of the Year, cementing his position among the country's leading talents. His recognition extends well beyond that distinction: his inaugural 2008 Rall White earned five stars from Platter's, followed by the same achievement in 2009 and 2010. He has since become a member of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild, while Decanter has recognized his flagship blends and single-vineyard wines as collector favorites. His wines have also earned a place in the international fine-wine market, with leading merchant Justerini & Brooks establishing an exclusive UK partnership for Rall Wines in 2020.
Eben Sadie helped convince the world that South Africa could produce wines of extraordinary distinction. Donovan Rall is helping establish just how deep that talent runs. Both recognized the potential of neglected old vineyards, championed Mediterranean varieties, and rejected the idea that South African fine wine needed to imitate Bordeaux. Yet Donovan has developed a distinctive identity through his mastery of blending, his relationships with growers, and his increasingly precise single-vineyard expressions. Where Sadie became the international face of the Swartland Revolution, Rall is emerging as one of its most accomplished standard-bearers.
Donovan is already established, but his influence, international recognition, and long-term collectible potential are still developing. His evolution from an independent winemaker with a few barrels to South Africa's 2025 Winemaker of the Year demonstrates an exceptional trajectory. With sought-after wines, access to remarkable old vineyards, and a growing reputation beyond South Africa, he has the credentials to become a defining name in the country's fine-wine history. The question is no longer whether Donovan Rall is a great winemaker. It's how far his reputation can ultimately go.
Giacomo Bartolommei
At 34, He Became the Youngest President in Brunello's History
Born: 1991
Region: Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
Known For: Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese & Appellation Leadership
Price Status: Established premium producer; $30–$150+
Comparison: Alfo Bartolommei (Grandfather)
First Vintage in Charge: 2016
In 2025, Giacomo Bartolommei became the youngest president in the history of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium, taking the reins of one of the world's most prestigious wine appellations at just 34 years old. But his remarkable rise began generations earlier, when his family worked the hillsides of Montalcino as sharecroppers. In 1965, his grandfather Alfo helped establish Caprili, planting the family's first vineyard and laying the foundation for what would become one of Brunello's respected traditional estates. Giacomo joined the family winery in 2016, bringing formal training in viticulture, enology, and economics to an estate steeped in history. Less than a decade later, he was entrusted with helping guide the future of an entire appellation. Few young winemakers have earned such extraordinary responsibility so early in their careers.
Situated on the southwestern slopes of Montalcino, Caprili encompasses approximately 25 hectares of vineyards, with Sangiovese Grosso at the heart of its identity. Its most treasured parcel is Vigna Madre, the original one-hectare vineyard planted in 1965, whose old vines produce the estate's celebrated Brunello di Montalcino Riserva AdAlberto. Giacomo remains committed to Caprili's traditional philosophy, emphasizing indigenous fermentation, careful extraction, and maturation in large Slavonian oak casks. Yet he has introduced thoughtful refinements to preserve freshness and aromatic precision as growing seasons become warmer, including gentler vinification, time in concrete vessels, and experimental vineyard shading. He's also elevated the estate's Rosso di Montalcino, treating it as a distinctive wine rather than simply a younger version of Brunello.
Giacomo's recognition extends well beyond the vineyards of Caprili. After serving as vice president of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium, he was elected president in June 2025, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position. In 2026, Wine Enthusiast selected him as the only Italian among its Rising Stars, recognizing his vision for the industry's future. His wines have also earned considerable acclaim: Caprili's 2015 Brunello Riserva AdAlberto received 96 points from both Wine Advocate and James Suckling, while the 2020 Brunello earned 94 points from Vinous and Jeb Dunnuck. Together, these achievements reflect a young winemaker building an increasingly influential reputation both inside and outside the cellar.
Alfo Bartolommei helped establish Caprili when Brunello was still finding its place among the world's great wines. His grandson Giacomo is helping guide the appellation through an entirely different set of challenges. Alfo's generation transformed Montalcino from an agricultural community into an internationally celebrated fine-wine destination. Giacomo's generation must preserve that prestige while confronting climate change, shifting consumer preferences, and the challenge of introducing Brunello to younger collectors. Their circumstances are different, but their ambitions share the same foundation: a conviction that Montalcino's greatest strength lies in its vineyards, its traditions, and the people willing to invest in its future.
Giacomo Bartolommei isn't simply an emerging winemaker. He's already helping shape the future of one of the world's most important wine regions. At Caprili, he's refining a family legacy rooted in the earliest decades of Brunello's modern history. As president of the Consortium, he's helping determine how Montalcino responds to the challenges and opportunities of the next generation. His combination of winemaking expertise, historical perspective, and remarkable industry leadership makes him an unusually compelling figure in Italian fine wine. His grandfather helped build Caprili's reputation. Giacomo has the opportunity to leave his mark on Brunello itself.
Phil Holbrook
A Mondavi Heir Forging His Own California Wine Legacy
Born: 1991
Region: Napa Valley & Sonoma Coast, California
Known For: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Price Status: Emerging premium producer; current range not verified
Comparison: Carlo Mondavi
First Independent Project: REVIK, 2015
Phil Holbrook grew up with one of the most extraordinary connections in American wine: his grandmother was Margrit Mondavi, the cultural force behind Robert Mondavi Winery. But rather than relying on the family's legendary reputation, Phil has pursued a distinctly independent path. After gaining experience at Robert Mondavi Winery and working alongside Joe Harden at Nickel & Nickel, he began building his own portfolio of wines. His first project, REVIK, launched in 2015, followed by Salty Goats in 2020. His ambition isn't to recreate Napa Valley's past, but to explore what the next generation of California fine wine could become.
Phil's work spans two dramatically different California landscapes. Through REVIK, he explores family vineyards in Coombsville and Howell Mountain, including the organically farmed, dry-farmed Saphi Vineyard. With Salty Goats, his partnership with Joe Harden, the focus shifts toward the rugged Sonoma Coast, particularly Fort Ross-Seaview, where Pacific fog, coastal winds, and challenging vineyard conditions produce Pinot Noir of remarkable energy and structure. Their winemaking emphasizes indigenous fermentation, partial whole-cluster inclusion, restrained extraction, and a commitment to expressing individual vineyard character.
Phil's independent wines are beginning to attract serious critical attention. Writing for Decanter, Jonathan Cristaldi awarded 94 points to the 2023 Salty Goats Coastline Project Pinot Noir, recognizing its freshness, complexity, and distinctive coastal character. James Suckling's team subsequently awarded 96 points to the 2023 Salty Goats Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, demonstrating the partnership's ability to produce exceptional wines across contrasting regions. With nearly a decade of shared experience at Nickel & Nickel, Phil and Joe have established a technical foundation that gives their independent projects considerable credibility.
Like Carlo Mondavi, Phil Holbrook belongs to a generation with extraordinary Napa Valley heritage but little interest in being defined exclusively by it. Carlo helped establish RAEN on the Sonoma Coast, pursuing restrained, terroir-driven Pinot Noir far removed from the powerful Cabernet Sauvignons associated with his family's legacy. Phil has followed a similarly independent trajectory, exploring coastal Pinot Noir while maintaining a strong connection to Napa's mountain vineyards. Both represent a fascinating evolution of the Mondavi family's influence: from helping establish California's international reputation to exploring its next frontier.
Phil combines an exceptional family background with the practical experience and independent ambition necessary to build something lasting. REVIK connects him to Napa's historic vineyards, while Salty Goats gives him the freedom to develop an entirely different identity on the Sonoma Coast. With strong early critical recognition, a compelling personal story, and access to outstanding vineyard sites, his reputation has room to grow considerably. The Mondavi family helped put California wine on the world stage. Phil Holbrook is among the next generation exploring where it goes from here.
The greatest names in wine weren't always legends. They were once young winemakers with extraordinary vineyards, ambitious ideas, and something to prove. Some inherited centuries of tradition. Others started with little more than conviction and a vision for what their region could become. What separates them is the ability to turn that potential into something enduring.
These are the winemakers we believe collectors will be talking about for decades to come. Some are already making history. Others are only beginning. But all share one defining quality: their greatest achievements may still lie ahead.
The next generation of fine wine is already here. We are definitely paying attention.
