Ian D’Agata is the Indiana Jones of Italian wine—a tireless detective who’s spent over 30 years uncovering the magic of Italy’s native grapes and terroirs with scientific precision and infectious enthusiasm.
With Sicilian roots and a Toronto upbringing, this former medical doctor swapped scrubs for stemware decades ago, resurrecting forgotten varieties and mapping Italy’s diverse landscapes like no one else. He’s earned top honors, including Best Young Italian Wine Journalist (2007) and accolades for his landmark books: the essential Native Wine Grapes of Italy, Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs, the award-winning Italian Wine Terroirs (Best European Wine Book 2025), and the forthcoming Barbaresco Terroir (spring 2026). He’s lectured worldwide, directed the International Wine Academy in Rome, and curated tastings for Vinitaly and beyond. His books are my essential encyclopedias on everything Italy’s native grapes. They have been instrumental in my WSET Diploma studies and remain my go-to references for every article I’ve written.
Now based in Shanghai, he leads Ian D’Agata Wine Culture, including the Ian D’Agata Wine Review, Wine Academy, and a global masterclass series. Through these by-invitation-only events, he delivers educational, entertaining deep dives into Italian wines—empowering sommeliers, writers, importers, and enthusiasts alike.
A recent highlight was the Ian D’Agata Wine Culture Show in NYC on March 4, 2026, at Café Carmellini (The Fifth Avenue Hotel). The sold-out day featured three masterclasses on native grapes and hybrids, trailblazing winemakers Cristiana Tiberio and Sabrina Tedeschi, and the greatness of Verdicchio from Castelli di Jesi—plus wines from over 20 producers. Attendees tasted a whopping 20 wines in the first class, 12 in the second, and 16 Verdicchio stunners in the third. Here’s the full lineup with punchy tasting notes from the event—fresh, vibrant sips that showcased Italy’s wine wizardry:
Masterclass 1: Native Italian Wine Grapes, Crossings and Hybrids: from Ancient to Modern Times – “In with the Old, but also In with the New”
Ian hand-picked a killer lineup for the first masterclass: pure native Italian grapes, intriguing crossings, and bold hybrids to ignite your curiosity. From the regal depths of Nebbiolo to the vibrant soul of Sangiovese, the aromatic rush of Moscato, the Sicilian crispness of Grillo and Catarratto, the elegant twist of Riesling, the rustic edge of Freisa—and a few wild-card hybrids thrown in to blow your mind.
1. Feudo Montoni Catarratto Terre Siciliane “Masso” 2024: Zesty lemon zest meets peachy almond crunch—crisp, mineral-driven sunshine in a glass. A juicy little number, fresh, nice attack with a full middle.
2. Feudo Montoni Grillo “Timpa” 2024: Grillo has a pschyzo type of personality. Tropical pineapple punch with a salty sea breeze—vibrant and utterly addictive.
3. G.D. Vajra Langhe Riesling “Pétracine” 2024: Petrol-kissed apples and lime—racy acidity that dances on the palate. He was the first to plant Langhe in 1985, so round in stone fruit with a nice steely grip.
4. Vigneti Vinessa “Divento” 2023: Located at the foothills of Lugana, it has an alpine microclimate with strong winds (aka Diveneto). Leonardo only grows hybrids, 2 hectares worth. This is a blend of Johanniter 50% and Bronner 50%Floral jasmine and green pear, cumin seeds, tat apple, bitter greens, rounder and more aromatic—elegant, evolving layers like a wine whisper.
5. Vigneti Vinessa “Divento” 2022: Riper stone fruit with herbal twists—deeper, more contemplative than its younger sib.
6. Vigneti Vinessa “Fruscìo” 2023: This is their first vintage. This wine is a blend of Prior (a Pinot Noir hybrid) and Cabernet Cortis (a Cabernet Franc hybrid).A whispery cross similar to a cross of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
7. Ca’ d’ Gal Barbera d’Asti “Mavi” 2023: Juicy cherry bomb with bright acid—playful, food-friendly firecracker. Juicy, fresh and nice.
8. G.D. Vajra Langhe Freisa “Kyè” 2023: Wild strawberry and peppery spice—lively, tannic grip that begs for pizza. Smoky edge, mastered tannins, could age forever, so pretty, love it!
9. Castiglion del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino “Gauggiole” 2022: This wine comes from a rare subsection of Montalcino grown in blue clay- it’s dainty, delicate Sangiovese charm with red berry elegance—silky, approachable Tuscan hug.
10. Luigi Baudana Barolo “Baudana” 2022: This is a Serralunga Cru, blue grey marl soil, use decadent and sultry, sexy cherry beauty, Nebbiolo power: rose petals, tar, and firm tannins—young but promising depth. Loved it!
11. G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera 2022: Gorgeous wine full of earthy cherries, violet and rose petals and licorice—structured, with a long, haunting finish. Pure precision, daintier, penetrating in its perfume, juicy sweet fruit.
12. Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 2021: More power, structured Cru, beautiful balsamic licorice notes over dark fruit—intense, age-worthy beast.
13. Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera “Bricco Pernice” 2020: More elegant cur, so tippy toe in its powered truffle and violet elegance—refined power that evolves beautifully. Sweet fruit but less than the Ravera 2021
14. Feudo Montoni Nero D’Avola Riserva “Vrucara” 2020: Plummy depth with chocolate hints—bold Sicilian soul, velvety smooth. Menthol instance, tons of violet, elegant 70 year old vines, so pretty in its power, remarkable.
15. Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2021: Leather, blood orange and red fruit symphony—robust, with Sangiovese’s signature grip. A pretty wine with muscles. Glides down the palate with flinty ease.
16. Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino “Campo del Drago” 2021: Intense black cherry core—complex, terroir-driven masterpiece. This wine has more stuffing to it, elegance lingers.
17. Ca’ d’ Gal Moscato d’Asti “Lumine” 2024: Fizzy peach and floral fizz—sweet, low-alcohol delight. It is a fix that is so concentrated that you want to eat its prescence, creamy and intense, mouthwatering.
18. Ca’ d’ Gal Moscato d’Asti “Vigna Vecchia” 2019: Honeyed apricot with nutty age—evolved, luxurious sparkle.
19. Vigneti Vinessa “Controvento” 2024: Dense wine, mind bending acidity, easy to drink, wind-swept herbs and citrus—rebellious, refreshing twist.
20. Feudo Montoni Passito Rosso: Dried fig, floral, toffee and raisin richness—sweet, sticky finale with balanced acid.
I left Café Carmellini that day with memories of new favorite bottles, scribbled tasting notes, wearing a bigger smile, one thing was crystal clear: Ian D’Agata doesn’t just teach Italian wine—he ignites a lifelong passion for it. So grab one of Ian’s essential books, hunt down these producers, and raise a glass to the man who keeps Italy’s wine soul vibrant, diverse, and endlessly fascinating. Here’s to more masterclasses, more discoveries, and more thoughtful sips—one unforgettable event at a time
