Alpha Zeta Terrapieno Pinot Grigio 2025
Alpha Zeta was created by David Gleave MW, founder of Liberty Wines, working with highly regarded New Zealand winemaker Matt Thomson, with a straightforward ambition: to make modern Italian wines of genuine character and quality while keeping them accessible enough to enjoy regularly.
Terrapieno has a particularly good story. While working with Pinot Grigio in Veneto, Matt Thomson identified fruit from one vineyard that stood apart for its quality and intensity. Instead of incorporating it into the broader blend, he decided that the vineyard deserved to be vinified and bottled separately – and Terrapieno was born.
The nine-hectare site lies in the Valpantena Valley in eastern Valpolicella, at approximately 250–300 metres above sea level. Its vines average 20–30 years of age and grow on poor, well-drained soils containing granite and decomposed volcanic rock. These conditions naturally restrict vigour and help produce fruit with greater concentration and personality.
The 2025 growing season provided particularly favourable conditions. A mild spring and timely rainfall encouraged even development before the warm summer ripened the grapes beautifully. Importantly, cooler nights helped retain acidity and aromatic freshness, allowing the fruit to reach optimum ripeness without losing the lively character essential to good Pinot Grigio.
In the glass, Terrapieno shows why this particular vineyard caught Matt Thomson’s attention. Bright, aromatic fruit combines with freshness, concentration and a gently rounded, silky texture. Ripe pear and attractive stone-fruit character lead into a fresh, harmonious palate with enough substance to accompany food beautifully, yet nothing heavy or overworked. It is drinking particularly well now: generous, refreshing and immediately enjoyable.
The newly arrived 2025 was unanimously approved by the CountryClubuk Wine Tasting Panel for the Club Cellar, continuing a wine we have enjoyed recommending to Members through previous vintages.
At the table, Terrapieno is wonderfully accommodating. Seafood and shellfish are natural partners – scallops are particularly good – as are grilled fish, antipasti, salads, lighter pasta dishes and simply prepared chicken. Or simply open a bottle as an aperitif.
Above all, Terrapieno succeeds because it is a properly made, single-vineyard Italian white with character and individuality, but also the sort of deliciously uncomplicated wine one is very pleased to find waiting in the fridge.
CountryClubuk Members’ Price
RSP £96 per case of six bottles
CountryClubuk Members: £79 per case of six bottles, including UK mainland delivery
Members save £17 – equivalent to just £13.17 per bottle delivered.
Delivery to UK mainland addresses. Please contact Member Services for delivery elsewhere.
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