Italy

Growing up in Germany, Philine Isabelle Dienger inherited her father's passion for wine by tasting widely from his extensive cellar. She spent her twenties at leading biodynamic estates (including Odinstal, Pranzegg and Heinrich) and working with specialist vineyard consultants Simonit and Sirch.Philine relocated to Piedmont in 2019 to start her own micro-project, where she initially sourced fruit from top growers and vinified her wines in the cellars at Rinaldi. She has since moved into her own winery and now farms a 1ha plot of Barolo’s celebrated ‘Preda’ vineyard, split equally with her friend Tom Myers of Cantina d’Arcy.With the lease on the ‘Preda’ vineyard soon coming to an end, Philine has recently acquired four parcels of Nebbiolo totalling 1.5ha, including vines in Barolo’s ‘Le Coste di Monforte’ and 0.35ha of Dolcetto previously farmed by Ferdinando Principiano. While her existing plots of Dolcetto, Barbera and Langhe Nebbiolo remain, Philine has also purchased further Nebbiolo parcels between Roddi and Verduno, and has planted Chardonnay in Alta Langa.Citing Japanese craftsmanship as an influence – specifically the idea that masterworks are made up of countless tiny, seemingly inconsequential decisions – she uses biodynamics and progressive farming techniques such as tressage, the highly skilled practice of braiding rather than cutting the vine canopy, to aid ripening and protect the plants from stress that might otherwise manifest as harsh tannins.The first time we tasted her wines in 2022, we were utterly transfixed by their harmony and sensuality.

Philine Isabelle

Wines

In the wine trade? Sign up for regular Keeling Andrew wine offers