Size: 375ml
Grape: Mostly Sangiovese with a small percentage of Malvasia
Producer: Poggio la Noce, a boutique estate owned by husband and wife team Enzo Schiano and Claire Beliard, located in the hills of Fiesole, Tuscany.
Region: Tuscany, Italy. The vineyard sits at 166 meters (540 feet) above sea level with west to southwest exposure, benefiting from calcareous marl soils rich in rock fragments.
In the cellar: This is a traditional “Occhio di Pernice” style dessert wine, a rare version of Vin Santo. After harvest in early October, the grapes are handpicked and laid out on straw mats to “appassire” (dry out) for four months. This process concentrates sugars and flavors. The dried grapes are then gently pressed, and the juice ferments naturally with indigenous yeasts in small oak barrels called caratelli. The wine matures in these caratelli for five years, undergoing oxidative aging, which contributes to its deep complexity and unique flavor profile. Only 1,000 bottles are produced annually.
Farming method: The estate is farmed biodynamically, integrating organic practices with attention to biodiversity and lunar cycles. Green manure, cover cropping, and manual vineyard work ensure healthy soils and balanced vines. Both clusters and berries are hand-sorted.
Tasting notes: Golden caramel in color, ‘Ejia’ offers a mesmerizing bouquet of mature stone fruit, dried figs, golden raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg. On the palate, it is rich and velvety, with flavors of honeyed apricots, toasted almonds, and a hint of balsamic reduction. The sweetness is perfectly balanced by a fresh acidity, leading to a long, complex finish with notes of dried orange peel and candied ginger. This wine has exceptional aging potential of 10 to 15+ years.
Food pairing: Vin Santo pairs beautifully with aged pecorino cheese, almond biscotti (Cantucci), or desserts like panna cotta and crème brûlée. It also complements foie gras and roasted nuts for a savory pairing.
Fun fact: The name Ejia comes from the Tuscan dialect word for “yes,” reflecting the joy and affirmation this wine brings. Its “Occhio di Pernice” style, meaning “Eye of the Partridge,” refers to its amber-caramel hue, resembling the eye color of the bird, which is hand-drawn on the wine label.