Experience a Chinato!

What is a Chinato? Well, it is an aromatized wine made traditionally from the bark of the cinchona tree, wine from the Barolo DOCG, and a mixture of herbs and spices.

Let's take it back - The beneficial properties of the cinchona tree (China Calisaia in Italian) were originally discovered by the Quechua, a people indigenous to Peru and Bolivia, who found it to be an effective muscle relaxant, decongestant, and digestive aid. The Quechua would mix the ground bark of cinchona trees (also known as quinine) with sweetened water to offset the bark’s bitter taste, thus producing tonic water.

Fast forward a bit and In the early 1600’s, Jesuits brought this back to Rome, where quinine in un-extracted form came to be used to treat malaria, which was endemic to the swamps and marshes surrounding the city of Rome.

In the19th century, we see pharmacist Giuseppe Capellano create one of the first large scale productions of Chinato. With its purported curative properties, and the general deliciousness of this ruby red elixir these wines became sought out as a refreshing after dinner drink.

Try out some of our favorites below.

As with all of our wines and spirits, you can order these right here on our web site,
 or we'd love to talk with you at 713-524-3397.

Tired of long waits for curbside and delivery?
We can usually get your order finished in less than an hour.

Store hours for curbside pick up are from 10AM- 6PM Monday through Saturday,
or wines can be delivered to your home as well!