Ampeleia

Unlitro 2019

Price: $24.95
Tasting notes

Unlitro delivers exactly what its name suggests: a full liter of genuinely light, transparent red with red cherry, wildflower, and faint balsamic notes. No oak, no manipulation, no pretense. The biodynamic farming and cement-tank aging keep the fruit fresh and the finish clean.

BodyFruitTanninAcidity
CherryWildflowersRaspberryGarrigue
  • Style: Light-bodied, dry red blend; bright ruby; cherry, wildflower, balsamic; 12% ABV; 1-liter format
  • Grapes & Terroir: Alicante Nero, Carignano, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Alicante Bouschet; biodynamic (Demeter); youngest estate vineyards at 250-300m, Colline Metallifere, Maremma
  • Winemaking: Native yeast fermentation; 10% carbonic maceration, remainder whole-berry or crushed; 5-7 day maceration; 6 months cement tank aging; unfined, unfiltered
  • Serving: Serve at 55-60F; no decant needed; suitable for light chilling
  • Pairing: Pizza, pasta al pomodoro, charcuterie, grilled vegetables, young pecorino
  • Similar To: For fans of Gamay and light Grenache who want something earthy and food-friendly

Unlitro is Ampeleia's entry-point wine, sourced from their youngest vineyards in the lower zones of the estate near the Tuscan coast, around Roccatederighi in the Alta Maremma. The blend is led by Alicante Nero (the local biotype of Grenache), with Carignano, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, and Alicante Bouschet. Vines grow at 250-300 meters above sea level in the Colline Metallifere, mineral-rich hills that form part of a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Each variety is harvested and vinified separately. A portion of the fruit (around 10%) undergoes carbonic maceration, while the rest is fermented whole-berry or crushed. Macerations last 5-7 days, and the finished wine ages six months in cement tanks with no oak contact. The wine is unfined, unfiltered, and made with native yeast. Sulfite use is restrained.

The result is a bright ruby red with a fragrant, fruit-forward nose of red cherries, wildflowers, and gentle balsamic lift. On the palate it is lightweight and juicy, with soft tannins and enough acidity to keep it lively. At 12% ABV it is the kind of wine that works slightly chilled and drinks easily across a meal. The liter format is by design: Ampeleia named it for what it is.

Serve slightly chilled alongside pizza, pasta with tomato-based sauces, or a simple charcuterie spread. The wine's light body and clean acidity also work well with grilled vegetables or white bean dishes. It holds up to cured meats and young pecorino without being overwhelmed.

Wine details

Dry/Sweet:, Dry
Wine Type:, Red Wine
Wine Style:, Light Body
Grapes:, Alicante Nero (Grenache), Carignano, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, Alicante Bouschet
Farming:, Organic and Biodynamic
Vintage:, 2019
Alcohol:, 12%
Country:, Italy
Region:, Tuscany
Appellation:, Toscana IGT
Bottle Size:, 1L
Sugar Level:, Zero Added Sugar

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.


Important Compliance Requirements

FedEx and other carriers we might occasionally use can only deliver wine to customers who are 21 years or older. Someone must be at the address to receive the package, carriers don't just drop a package and leave. They must ensure the person receiving the wine is 21 or older.


Re-shipping a Package

If a package is returned to us after three failed delivery attempts, we can only re-ship the wine upon payment of a re-shipping fee, to be determined based on the shipping address and number of bottles. Shipping wine is extremely expensive. We are sorry about this, but we have no other choice. Please make sure there's always someone at the address you enter as your shipping address.

If you'd like to receive a refund for a package that was returned to us after FedEx made three delivery attempts, we can do that but we must keep a $20 refund fee; FedEx charges us a lot of money for returns, unfortunately, I can't stress this enough.


Re-routing a Package

If you'd like to reroute a package after it's been shipped, we can do so for a $20 re-routing fee. We cannot re-route a package across state borders. For any change of address, please contact us as soon as possible, ideally within 1-2 days from placing the order or we cannot guarantee we'll be able to reroute or change your order's shipping address.


Canceling an Order

If you'd like to cancel an order after it's been shipped, we can do so upon payment of a small cancellation fee – the amount depends on the size of the order. Carriers charge us a lot of money to recall a package en-route.


Heat/Frost damage

We are not responsible for heat- or frost-related issues. We offer ice-packs upon request. Please let us know if you think that there could be heat-related issues. If we don't hear anything from you regarding weather issues before an order is shipped, or if you don't request a hold due to the weather, we are not responsible for heat/frost damage.


Placed an order. What next?

1. You will receive an order confirmation email with your order summary.*

2. As soon as your order ships from the warehouse, usually within 2-3 business days, this applies to all shipping rates, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with your tracking information. 2DAY shipping refers to shipping time; we still need 2-3 business days to prepare an order. We need to pick and pack, QA, add printed collateral, and palletize the orders.

3. Please track your package using the tracking service.

4. The carrier will attempt delivery a maximum of 3 times. After 3 delivery attempts, your package will be sent back to our warehouse.**

*Please ensure your email address is correct; otherwise, you will not receive the order and shipping confirmation emails.

**If delivery is attempted 3 times without success, or if you fail to retrieve your package from the carrier depot by the stated deadline, the shipping fee will not be refunded to the customer.

Returns Policy

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us at (424) 414-2040 or via e-mail at hello@primalwine.com between 9 am and 5 pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Sunday, we would like to understand and try to solve your concerns. We can offer refunds only as store credit.

Unlitro 2019
$24.95

Producer profile

Ampeleia

Ampeleia was founded in 2002 by Elisabetta Foradori, Giovanni Podini, and Thomas Widmann, who spent two years searching Italy for the right site before settling on land near the medieval village of Roccatederighi in the Alta Maremma. The property had originally been purchased in the 1960s by a Swiss couple, Erica and Peter Max Suter, who planted the first vines including Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The current project took over those six hectares and expanded them significantly, with a focus on Mediterranean varieties suited to the coastal Tuscan climate.

Winemaker Marco Tait has been at the estate since the first harvest in 2002. He manages 35 hectares of vineyards across 54 identified parcels spread over three altitude levels: Ampeleia di Sotto (lower, around 200m), Ampeleia di Mezzo (middle), and Ampeleia di Sopra (upper, reaching 600m). The remaining 85 hectares of the 120-hectare property is occupied by woods, olive groves, arable land, and pasture. The estate converted to biodynamic farming beginning in 2009, with all organic preparations produced on-site since 2012.

All of Ampeleia's wines are fermented with native yeast and aged exclusively in cement tanks. The estate does not use wooden barrels of any kind. Unlitro is sourced from the youngest, lower-altitude vineyards and produced with minimal intervention: separate fermentation by variety, partial carbonic maceration (approximately 10%), 5-7 day macerations on the skins, and six months aging in cement before bottling unfined and unfiltered.

Wine region

Tuscany, Italy

Maremma runs along Tuscany's southwestern coast from south of Livorno down toward Grosseto. Historically a marshy, sparsely populated area, it was drained over centuries and began developing as a serious wine zone only in the latter half of the 20th century. The Colline Metallifere, the mineral-rich inland hills where Ampeleia is based, are part of a national park and a UNESCO Global Geopark, with soils ranging from calcareous marl to volcanic rock at elevations reaching 600 meters.

The Maremma Toscana DOC received its official designation in September 2011, though many producers in the area, including Ampeleia, bottle under the broader Toscana IGT classification to preserve flexibility with grape varieties and blending. The climate is Mediterranean along the coast, with warm, dry growing seasons and over 2,480 sunshine hours per year. At higher elevations in the hinterland, greater diurnal temperature swings support freshness and aromatic precision. Key appellations within the broader Maremma area include Bolgheri DOC and Morellino di Scansano DOCG.

Frequently asked question

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.

Signature on delivery is mandatory for wine deliveries. Please make sure someone is at the shipping address to sign for the package.

If applicable, please consider delivering the package to a business address to ensure someone is available to sign for the package.

We also have the option of delivering the package to a Carrier's store for pickup. Please reach out to us to coordinate.

Carrier will try to delivery a package up to three times before returning the package to us.

See here our shipping policy.

If you miss a delivery and a package gets returned to us we have two options:

1) Reship the package right away: due to the very high cost of shipping and returns, we must charge a re-shipping fee to be determined based on package size and shipping destination.

2) Consolidate the returned package with your next order: this option is free of charge and it's the most popular option.

See here our shipping policy.

This collection features our best selling natural wine from all around the world. It's the best place to start you natural wine journey! Browse one of the largest selections of natural wine available online in the United States.

Primal Wine Natural Wine Club is the best way to discover natural wine. Let us do the heavy-lifting, sit back, and relax. We will send you an ever-changing selection of natural wine made by top producers from around the world.

Our customers love Primal

I'm just copying and pasting from the hundreds messages we received, no pseudo reviews!
Erin C.

We love our membership so far and can't wait until our next shipment.

Jennifer B.

A note to say that we are loving the tasting notes sheet you’re sending!

James S.

I'm really happy to find Primal – your selections are terrific. 

Samuel M.

Love your company, always a great wine selection. 

Chelsea V.

I love what you guys do!

What Is | Primal Wine

What is natural wine?

Natural wine is a type of wine made in small batches from organic or biodynamic grapes with minimal intervention.
What Is Biodynamic Wine Info Cards | Primal Wine

What is Biodynamics?

Biodynamic wine is wine made from grapes farmed biodynamically. Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach.
What Is Organic Wine Info Cards | Primal Wine

What is organic wine?

Organic wine is made with grapes farmed organically. Organic farming is an alternative to conventional farming.
What Is Vegan Wine Info Cards | Primal Wine

What is vegan wine?

Vegan wine is wine made without using animal products during the fining phase of the clarification process.