Aperitivo Italiano Wine Tasting: Meet Montemercurio Vineyards

This event brings together four wines from Montemercurio, a family-owned winery nestled beneath the iconic Temple of San Biagio in the medieval hill town of Montepulciano. Through these wines, guests will discover a producer deeply connected to the land, traditions, and history that have shaped one of Italy's most renowned wine regions.

Meet Montemercurio Vineyards

Founded on a small three-hectare vineyard planted by Grandfather Damo in the late 1950s, Montemercurio has grown into a respected 12-hectare estate while remaining true to its original vision: crafting wines that faithfully express the character of Montepulciano and its historic vineyards. Today, the Anselmi family continues that legacy, producing wines that honor both tradition and terroir.

The estate's southwest-facing vineyards sit at approximately 450 meters above sea level on clay-rich soils ideally suited to Sangiovese and the region's traditional native varieties. Every aspect of production reflects a philosophy of patience, balance, and respect for the land, from meticulous hand harvesting to aging in large traditional oak casks. Rather than pursuing heavily extracted or heavily oaked styles, Montemercurio focuses on preserving purity, elegance, and the authentic personality of each vineyard

Facciamo un aperitivo!
📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026
⏰ 7:00–8:00 p.m.
📍 Italian Cultural & Community Center
🎟 $30 ICCC Members | $35 General Admission

Kindly note that the waitlist operates on a per-ticket basis. You must submit one waitlist entry for each ticket requested (e.g., two tickets = two waitlist entries). This ensures we can accurately allocate and release available tickets.

Meet the Presenter

Teresa R. McKinney, DipWSET is the founder and president of Delectatio, a boutique wine import company located in Magnolia, Texas. The company was founded in 2009 and imports small production, high quality wines from several different regions around the world.

What does aperitivo italiano really mean?
An aperitivo (or apéritif) is often described as being similar to the American happy hour, but in reality, it’s so much more than that. An aperitivo is a ritual, joyous and mood-lifting. It relaxes you after a day of work and prepares you for the night to come. The aperitivo has long been a staple in Italy, and in recent years, has been gaining more appreciation around the world.

By purchasing a ticket to this event, you acknowledge the following: I understand that I am reserving a spot, and reservations for this event are nonrefundable. If I am unable to attend, I understand that I can transfer my ticket to a friend.

This event is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

Click here to become a member of the Italian Cultural & Community Center of Houston. As a member, you'll receive discounts on tickets and access to exclusive, members-only events!