An Italian wine company founded in 2010, working with partner growers and wineries across Italy.
The producer
Zensa is Orion’s organic-grape range, with wines from both Puglia and Sicily. An IWSC assessment of The Wanted Zin 2018 found a floral nose, concentrated blueberry fruit, chalky tannins and lingering ripe flavours.
Known for
Italian partner-grown wine range
Notable facts
Orion Wines was founded in 2010 by Alessandro Michelon and Elena Ciurletti.
Its winemaking team includes six full-time winemakers from different Italian regions.
The Wanted Zin is made entirely from Primitivo, with half aged for eight months in American oak barriques.
From the atlas
Orion Wines
An Italian wine company founded by Alessandro Michelon and Elena Ciurletti, working with partner growers and wineries across the country.
At A Glance
Country
Italy
Founded
2010
Founders
Alessandro Michelon, Elena Ciurletti
Winemaking team
Six full-time winemakers
Model
Partner growers and wineries across Italy
The Producer
Alessandro Michelon and Elena Ciurletti founded Orion Wines in 2010. Michelon oversees winemaking with a team that travels throughout Italy, while six full-time winemakers from different Italian regions contribute to the work.
Orion maintains commercial relationships with a limited number of growers and wineries in several Italian areas. It works with those partners and their winemakers from vineyard work through vinification, packaging and marketing.
Wines
The Wanted Zin is made from 100% Primitivo. Half of the wine spends eight months in American oak barriques, bringing cherry and blueberry fruit together with coconut, vanilla, roasted spice and soft tannins. Its finish carries spice and bright fruit.
Zensa Nero d’Avola Appassimento is 100% Nero d’Avola. Twenty percent of the grapes dry naturally in aerated lofts for 10-15 days, while the remainder is picked 10-15 days later; both portions are then vinified together. Twenty percent of the wine spends four to five months in oak barriques. Cherry, prune and blackcurrant lead into powerful fruit, a velvety texture and a persistent finish.
Zensa Primitivo is made from 100% Primitivo. Thirty percent ages for eight months in second-use American and French oak barriques. Cherry, dried berries and toasted almond appear on a full-bodied, silky palate, followed by spiced cherry, bright fruit and earthiness.
Final Word
Orion excludes animal-derived products from production and returns mown weeds and grass to the soil as organic fertilizer.