Learn What Your Name Means Day
By Enologist Michelle Zentmyer Moss
What’s in a Name? At Le Vigne, Quite a Lot.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”
– William Shakespeare, Romeo and Julie.
Obscure holidays are a personal favorite of mine. While Pi Day takes the top spot (who doesn’t love math and pie?), another lesser-known gem caught my eye this March: “Learn What Your Name Means Day” on March 5th.
Names carry meaning—sometimes ancestral, sometimes whimsical, but almost always symbolic. Whether it’s a person, a place, a beloved pet, or a bottle of wine, a name tells a story.
Take mine, for example. A quick search tells me Michelle means “Who resembles God.” But for my parents, it was a tribute—naming me after my father’s best friend, whom I affectionately call Uncle Mike. A name born not from etymology, but from love and legacy.
That same sense of meaning and memory lives in the name Le Vigne—Italian for “The Vineyards.” For winery owners Walter and Sylvia Filippini, honoring heritage is second nature. Walter was born and raised in Italy, where tradition is not just remembered—it’s lived. So it’s no surprise that their estate vineyards would carry Italian names steeped in family and significance.
Le Vigne Winery
Domenico Vineyard
The Acquarello Estate Vineyard: A Watercolor of the Land
Just a few miles northeast lies our second estate vineyard: Acquarello, which means “watercolor” in Italian. Named for the way the nearby river paints across the landscape, it’s a breathtaking example of how nature and nurture converge.
This is the only vineyard where we grow Sangiovese, the backbone of our Rosé of Sangiovese, the soon-to-be-released Estate Blanc de Noir, and our beloved Cuore della Vigna blend. It’s also home to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—used in our single-vineyard bottlings only when a block shows standout quality in a given vintage. That decision? Left to our winemaker, after rigorous tasting and evaluation.
Beyond grapes, Acquarello cultivates 54 acres of hay, nourished by composted pumice from harvest. It’s a closed-loop approach that feeds not just the soil, but a charming menagerie of rescue farm animals who call the property home.
Another fan favorite? Poncho, our vineyard manager Rafa’s towering white dog, who can often be seen bounding alongside the fence line, keeping watch (and greeting cars).
Domenico Vineyard
The winery is nestled between several blocks of the Domenico Estate Vineyard, which was the first vineyard to be planted for Le Vigne, back in the 1980s. The namesake for this vineyard comes from Walter’s father, Domenico, and his son, Domenic. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon were grown first. With its clay loam soil and flat, open terrain, other grapevine plantings have thrived allowing us to expand to include many additional varieties including Viognier, Syrah, Malbec, Tannat, Corvina, Mourvedre, Primitivo, and Nero d’Avola, to name a few. Viticulture enthusiasts enjoy learning that we have some notable clones in this vineyard including To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon and Alban clone Syrah. Block 6 Cabernet Sauvignon contains the oldest vines at Le Vigne, and grapes from this block are typically used for Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and Nikiara. Another Domenico fun fact: This property also houses a temperamental swan and three Pulman train cars.
Syrah Vines
From Rootstock to Reputation
The grapes from both Domenico and Acquarello form the foundation of the wines we’re proud to pour. And while we’ll let the wines speak for themselves, let’s just say there are whispers about future additions: Albariño, Carmenère, and maybe even a return of Zinfandel. Stay tuned (wink, wink).
Of course, a winery is more than vineyards and barrels. At Le Vigne, the heart of the operation beats in the tasting room, the kitchen, and every thoughtful touch that creates an experience worth remembering. Warm hospitality is second nature to Walter and Sylvia, who lead by example—pouring their passion into Winemaker Dinners, cheese pairings, and every bottle we craft.
So next time you visit, come share the meaning behind your name. Because at Le Vigne, names aren’t just labels—they’re legacies, stories, and sometimes, a little bit of magic.