Name: Aia Vecchia Tuscan Wine Dinner w/ Owner Elia Pellegrini
Start: 2025-02-06T18:30:00-05:00
Location: 1106 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States, Michigan 49506

$Aia Vecchia Tuscan Wine Dinner w\/ Owner Elia Pellegrini$

The Pellegrini family, Aia Vecchia’s owners, have been grape growers in the Bolgheri area for several generations, and have sold their grapes to many notable wineries in the region for decades. After replanting their original vineyards in 1995, they took the plunge, and established their own winery with the goal of creating small-lot, high-quality Super Tuscan blends, focusing on Bordeaux grape varieties. The Pellegrinis also purchased exceptional pieces of land in the Bolgheri DOC of coastal Tuscany, which had been shown to be ideal for Bordeaux varieties. On one of the family’s properties, there was an old building called Aia Vecchia, which would become the symbol and namesake of the company.
To aid in the development of their first wine, the Merlot-based Lagone, the family enlisted the help of well-known agronomist Daniel Schuster in selecting their plant material, and Hungarian winemaker, Tibor Gal, who had been chief winemaker at the pioneering Super Tuscan Ornellaia in Bolgheri.
Join us as we host Elia Pellegrini, owner of Aia Vecchia, and sample 4 of his wines, thoughtfully paired with a multi-course menu created by Chef Billy Wood, inspired by the Tuscan region:
First Course: Acciughe Sotto Pesto
White anchovies, parsley, lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, warm Tuscan bread
Wine Pairing: Aia Vecchia Vermentino
Second Course: Tagliata Rucola e Grana
Shaved ribeye, arugula, pecorino, caramelized lemon, olive oil
Wine Pairing: Aia Vecchia Lagone
Third Course: Gnocchi di Castagne
Chestnut dumpling, rabbit bolognese
Wine Pairing: Aia Vecchia Sor Ugo Bolgheri Superiore
Fourth Course: Ossobuco di Cinghiale
Wild boar osso buco, cannellini bean & roasted fennel ragu
Wine Pairing: Aia Vecchia Ovleto
Fifth Course: Pesche di Prato
Brioche soaked in alchermes liqueur, vanilla custard
Coffee service
When preparing our menus, we do our best to keep common allergies and restrictions in mind, while staying true to the region. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to us at the shop.