The Sierra Foothills are a short jaunt from Lake Tahoe. Known as a ranching region, the area's most adventuresome inhabitants are not just the back-country skiers but grape growers.

Nello Olivo fits the bill. An entrepreneur in the piping world, Nello and his wife decided to move up north to enjoy their life and grandchildren. When Nello Olivo decided to plant grapes at his 22-acre ranch, he wasn’t just interested in making wines that combined old world values with new world savvy, he was interested in making the region’s finest wines.

So, he brought in a Napa-trained winemaker to lead the team, and the results are everything Nello set out to create. It’s no surprise that Nello's life motto is: "Nothing is worth doing unless you do it right."

Nello’s Super Tuscan is absolutely delicious. A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, it has the classic Napa Valley juiciness coupled with old world charm and elegance. At only $25/bottle, it’s an absolute steal, competing squarely with Super Tuscans made in the U.S. that are 2-3x the cost.

Similarly, Nello’s Primitivo will knock your socks off. Dark burgundy in color, it’s as luscious as a Zinfandel, without being syrupy. It is also lean enough to be European in character while being unequivocally Californian. Again, at $18.33/bottle, you can’t go wrong.

With only a few hundred cases made, they’re not only wines to covet in price, but but also in quantity.

Buy Nello Olivo’s ultra-boutique Cal-Ital wines today at www.nelloolivo.com