Ettore Wines, Organically at Home in LA’s Original Farmers Market

(L-R) Fabrizio del Falco, Sofia Rivier and Ettore Biraghi at Ettore Vino & Cucina

Ettore Wines, Organically at Home in LA’s Original Farmers Market
February 22,2026

From the wild and rugged landscape of Mendocino, an area rich in history and independent thinkers, comes Ettore wines. Made from organically grown grapes with low-intervention winemaking, these wines offer a more natural and pure expression of the wine grape varietals grown. And what better place to showcase these wines, outside of their Mendocino winery, than in the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles. At Ettore Vino & Cucina, a stylish and spacious full-service restaurant and tasting room, tucked into a quiet corner of the market, the Italian spirit shines through its authentic Italian cuisine and Ettore’s California wines.

Courtesy of Ettore Winery

Ettore Biraghi and Sofia Rivier, Courtesy of Ettore Winery

Founded by Ettore Biraghi, an unconventional European winemaker, the quest to make the most natural and pure organically grown wines landed him in the heart of California’s natural wine country, Mendocino, in 2015. Coming off a decade of success in Switzerland, with his highly acclaimed Tenuta Agricola Luigina, Biraghi’s deep passion for natural wines made the Sanel Valley a perfect fit. Here, in the southern part of the Mendocino AVA, along the Russian River, Biraghi’s vision took flight, and he established his winery in 2019. Joined by Sofia Rivier, a kindred spirit in the organic world of winemaking, she is both agronomist and winemaker, alongside Biraghi as Chief Winemaker. Rivier was born into the wine life, growing up in her family’s Argentinean vineyard and winery. Both Biraghi and Rivier have enthusiastically applied their creativity and knowhow to what wine can be, cultivating the coastal vineyards with organic farming practices while allowing for biodiversity to add to the cocktail of terroir. They are stewards of the land but also cheerleaders for the distinct, characterful wines they are able to produce here.

Courtesy of Ettore Winery

Since organic farming is a way of life in Mendocino, Biraghi’s innovative and unconventional style suited the maverick spirit found there. Ettore wines found the perfect cradle for their Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in their estate vineyards. Interspersed throughout the 64 acre estate are cover crops and other native flora, along with 35 acres of vines, all certified organic since 2005. Compost and organic fertilizer help build healthy soil, drip irrigation and minimal intervention to control vine diseases, which rounds out the organic farming picture.

Courtesy of Ettore Winery

But Biraghi didn’t stop there. Hand-harvesting the grapes, Ettore utilizes state-of-the-art cellar techniques, such as their Purovino® Method for wines meant to be drunk young. According to Ettore, the addition of activated oxygen and ozone to the grapes before crushing stabilize the wines during storage and transportation, and allow for no added sulfites, crafting a truly organic wine under the Zero lineup. For wines destined to age, they add only the smallest dose of sulfites allowed by the California Certified Organic Farming (CCOF) Ordinance.

Ettore produces six wines, two versions of Chardonnay, Rosso (a red blend), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot! I had the opportunity to taste through these wines at a recent winemaker luncheon at Ettore Vino & Cucina, let me just say, what an excellent experience! Ettore Biraghi and Sofia Rivier took our group through the wines, expertly paired with a five course feast, orchestrated by Fabrizio del Falco, the managing director and creative mind behind the restaurant’s design.

First course, the 2023 Ettore Chardonnay Pure (SRP $18) accompanied a platter of Gnocco Fritto and Prosciutto di Parma, along with Ettore’s own olive oil. The deep golden color was so intriguing, since the wine was processed in 100% stainless steel. Biraghi explained that the color, normally a result of oak aging or grape variety, came from micro-oxidation. Aromas of citrus, white flowers and an herbaceous hint of pine needles immediately catch your attention, but it’s the impression of tropical aromas, which Biraghi says comes from the vineyard, and the creamy aromas from malolactic fermentation, that add complexity and intrigue, all leading to a bright, well balanced wine. Although fresh, there is texture and weight to the body, a smooth mouthfeel and clean finish, overall a delightful wine.

Second course, the 2022 Ettore Chardonnay Reserve (SRP $22) was paired with a Burrata Caprese. Deeper gold in color, the Reserve is a complex, layered wine, more savory in nature, with aromas and flavors of lemon preserves, orange marmalade, citrus peel, and vanilla, with hints of caramel, pine resin, and toasted walnut. Although richer and bolder, having spent time in French oak, this is a well-balanced wine, elegant and sophisticated in the glass and on the finish, inviting one sip after another.

Third course, the 2022 Ettore Rosso (SRP $28), a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, was served alongside a fabulous Tagliatelle alla Bolognese. Layered aromas and flavors of dark cherry, cassis and red raspberry licorice, and a hint of graphite inhabit this full-bodied wine, ending in a soft finish. It went really well with the pasta dish.

Fourth course, the 2022 Ettore Cabernet Sauvignon Signature (SRP $34) and the 2021 Ettore Petit Verdot (SRP $38) accompanied the Diaframma, Italian for hanger steak. The Petit Verdot was the star, so very distinctive, layers of dark fruit, licorice, baking spice, black pepper, and hints of juniper and chocolate, it was velvety with a long persistent finish, a total crowd pleaser! The Cabernet Sauvignon had lots of Cabernet character, with its raspberry, blueberry and dark plum fruit, anise, clove and black pepper spice, an easier drinking version of a California Cab.

Fifth course, the 2019 Ettore Merlot Zero was served alongside a Cheese Plate. This is a totally natural wine, with zero sulfites, for those who would prefer not to have sulfites in their wine.

Sofia Rivier and Ettore Biraghi reflect on their winemaking journey

Biraghi and Rivier reiterated they are just getting started, learning about the vineyard, and from the vintages, setting Ettore apart through their organically grown philosophy and working in a simple way, “It’s in the grape”.

Ettore Biraghi and Sofia Rivier of Ettore Wines

Ettore Vino & Cucina, Courtesy of Ettore Winery

Ettore Biraghi is carving out a reputation as one of Northern California’s most passionate winemakers with his lineup of Ettore wines, and with Sofia Rivier by his side, they are shining the spotlight on Mendocino’s potential to produce fine wines with an Earth-friendly focus. These wines definitely punch above their price point, and are quite food-friendly. You can experience all these wines and the food at Ettore Vino & Cucina, which offers a communal dining experience, aperitivo hour, and some outside tables in a secluded patio. The restaurant evokes harmony, balance and grace, bringing together Italian sensibilities with California terroir, a perfect pairing!

Ettore Winery, https://ettore.wine/

Ettore Vino & Cucina, https://ettore.wine/vino-cucina/