Located just inside the Le Marche region at its Northeastern tip, The Tonelli Family estate, Villi Ligi, is perfectly tucked away between the towns of San Marino and Ancona. Founded in 1912 by Antonio Tonelli, since the beginning the family have been pioneers. In fact it is his grandson Francesco that has by far been the most influential force in the area when it comes to quality wine production

Francesco is often called the Indiana Jones of Pergola because of his reputation for hunting down nearly extinct local varietals that preceded his family estate. By the time he found some old plantings of Aletaico, once widespread throughout the region, just a few vines remained just outside The Cloister of San Francesco. Serendipitously, Tonelli was a member of the faculty in the Agricultural Sciences Department at the University of Bologna and among the only people in Italy with the ability to rehabilitate the varietal. He personally raised the vines in his nursery until there were enough to plant a small vineyard. He fought hard for the creation of the Pergola Rosso DOC.

Like a lot of Tuscany, this is Sangiovese country and the Tonellis make some exceptional ones. But Aleatico has been in the region for far longer, first entering the local historical record in the 13th century. Originally brought over by the Ancient Greeks, first to Elba and then the mainland, its somewhat finicky temperament along with the rise of Sangiovese eventually lead to its decline. It is still grown on Elba where it is made into a late harvest, passito wine which was Napoleon's favorite. The Tonelli family are one of the few who still cultivate it, proudly and lovingly maintaining their small plots, in order to craft this unique dry red below.

Villa Ligi’s vineyards are spread between the villages of Montalfoglio and Montevecchio, the former sitting 395 meters above sea level and the latter nearly 500 meters high. Dense, clay soils as well as vines ranging in age from 20-35 years add depth to this immensely delicate wine. While there is something very Italian about this wine's character, it is very reminiscent of the great light reds of the Loire or Beaujolais.

This is as far under the radar as a wine growing region can be in Italy. Because of that the wine is shockingly inexpensive especially when you consider the quality. Now run by Stefano, Francesco’s son, and his French born wife Leah, they lovingly tend these picturesque vineyards. Both are tireless and passionate vignerons and perfectly suited to maintaining and increasing the high standards set by Francesco.