The Extraordinary Hospitality of Punta Crena
by Emily Spillmann
The Extraordinary Hospitality of Punta Crena
by Emily Spillmann
Behind the postcard-worthy image of Punta Crena’s vines, which toe the cliffs over a glassy blue sea, is the story of a family without pretense, a little yellow house in Varigotti, and an extraordinary sense of hospitality that is undeniably genuine. For sure, at Punta Crena, you’ll find Paolo Ruffino’s mamma selling her produce and olives that grew on the family’s thousand-year-old trees. You’ll find Paolo’s children peeking out from amid the vines, and you might encounter a homemade, sea-salt focaccia and trofie al pesto like you’ve never tasted. But there will also be a sense of simplicity that defies grandiosity. To meet Paolo is to encounter the rare graciousness of being welcomed by a friend—one with the humor to serve fried anchovies in a carnival-style paper cone while he pours you a glass of frizzante. This sincerity—perhaps above all else—is palpable in Punta Crena’s wines, each of which is easygoing and friendly, overflowing with charm.
Wines In The Collection
Punta Crena Italy | Liguria
It has a melony, jasmine scent, a frothy texture, and when paired with spicy wontons and sesame noodles was revelatory!
Punta Crena Italy | Liguria
Lean, bracing, and tangy—just what you want when digging into a plate of fried calamari.
Punta Crena Italy | Liguria
All the care and backbreaking labor required to farm this site result in one of the most joyful reds you will encounter.
Punta Crena Italy | Liguria
Supremely crisp and mineral, this is an ideal representation of this coastal region and perfect for seafood.
Punta Crena Italy | Liguria
A delightfully crisp seaside quaffer that transports us to the Mediterranean coast with bright, lemony freshness and sea-breeze salinity.
Punta Crena Liguria
This oil is light, aromatic, and flavorful—perfect for fish, salads, and other Mediterranean cuisine
Punta Crena Liguria
The first jar feels like a special treat, but by the second or third you realize they’re a pantry staple.
Italy | Liguria
It has a melony, jasmine scent, a frothy texture, and when paired with spicy wontons and sesame noodles was revelatory!
Italy | Liguria
Pair this coastal fizzy white with spicy shrimp.
Italy | Liguria
Lean, bracing, and tangy—just what you want when digging into a plate of fried calamari.
Italy | Liguria
All the care and backbreaking labor required to farm this site result in one of the most joyful reds you will encounter.
Italy | Liguria
Supremely crisp and mineral, this is an ideal representation of this coastal region and perfect for seafood.
Italy | Liguria
A delightfully crisp seaside quaffer that transports us to the Mediterranean coast with bright, lemony freshness and sea-breeze salinity.
Liguria
This oil is light, aromatic, and flavorful—perfect for fish, salads, and other Mediterranean cuisine
Liguria
The first jar feels like a special treat, but by the second or third you realize they’re a pantry staple.
More Collections
A Spring Quartet of Buzzworthy Arrivals
It seems like every day over the last few weeks, we’ve been greeted at the Port of Oakland by dozens of thrilling new wines from France and Italy. After making the short trip from the port to KLWM headquarters, these bottles have queued up for our weekly staff tastings, and among the many standouts, four wines in particular have unanimously wowed our staff…
Pairing Pinots in Spring
Coming upon Chris Lee’s Wild Salmon Baked in Fig Leaves with Rosé Butter, I thought, what could be more appropriate right now? The recipe appears a few times across our sixteen-year archive, and the suggested pairings change every time, ranging from lush whites to juicy, light reds, and crisp, mineral rosés in between. For such a simple dish, the possibilities seemed endless. In revisiting, I wanted that same versatility in the glass, and only one word came to mind: Pinot…
Arthur Ostertag
Arthur’s wines were the revelation of the trip. For months after, in the group chat with everyone on the tour, my screen would light up with shots of his wines—those incomparably elegant bottles with the stunning labels—standing tall atop the tables of every restaurant the other growers were dining in, in their hometowns or around the world. Arthur was officially the breakout star of the trip...
New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.