Program Description & Wine Notes
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"In vino veritas" - Pliny the Elder (d. 79 AD)
St. Stephen’s School has a long association with agriculture, having countless faculty, staff, parents, and alumni who are winemakers, olive growers, lentil farmers, and cheese producers. It is only natural that St. Stephen’s would start the Vinum et Oleum program to celebrate this connection and raise critical funds for our students.
Every two years, a panel will gather on campus for a blind tasting to identify the wine and olive oil offered the following two years. The chosen wine will feature unique, commemorative St. Stephen’s labels designed by St. Stephen’s community members.
This year, a delicious selection of three wines and one olive oil from La Chimera d’Albegna were chosen.
La Chimera, located in the Maremma, Tuscany region, is owned and operated by alumna Shaza Saker ('92) and her husband, Iacopo Becherini. Their son, Leo, is a current student. The three chosen wines feature gorgeous original artwork by former St. Stephen's parent, Nina Eaton.
These products are available for purchase and shipped directly to you.
For every bottle of wine and every can of olive oil purchased through Vinum et Oleum, La Chimera will donate 5 euros to the St. Stephen's Alumni Legacy Scholarship Fund.
The Vinum et Oleum program is an experiment, and we hope it will become a popular community tradition that will generate vital funds for St. Stephen’s and support our agricultural community members whose labor of love produces the very best products in the world.
The Fine Print (United States)
Prices are valid from 1 February 2025 to 30 March 2025.
All wine/olive oil package prices include tax, shipping, and will result in a generous donation to St. Stephen's.
A payment link will be sent upon receipt of your order.
Products ship to the Continental United States Only. For Hawaii and US Territories, please contact [email protected].
All products are shipped directly to you from La Chimera.
For questions or special orders, please contact Allison Kemmis-Price at [email protected]
La Chimera Wine Notes
CALETRA DOC (red)
Appellation: DOC Maremma Toscana
Vintage: 2017 Number of bottles produced: 4000
Bottling period: June 2020
Grape Variety: Sangiovese, Cabernet e Merlot
Fermentation: A controlled temperature not above 28°C, 82° F
Maceration: 14 days
Aging in wood: 12 months in French barriques
Alcohol content: 14.00%
Vol Area of Production: Colli di Marsiliana, winery’s vineyards
Average Altitude: 90-100 mt
Soil type: Clay-based, medium-textured
Grape yield: 8 tons/hectare
Plant density: 4000 vines/ha
Caletra tasting notes: An intense ruby red color with purple hues. Intense aro mas of red fruit, vanilla, dark chocolate and oak, as well as nuances of sweet spices give it complexity. An excellent equilibrium between tannins and acidity. An extraordinary smoothness and a lasting finish.
Food pairing: It perfectly accompanies red meats such as flame-grilled filet mignon, slow rustic stews, and aged cheese.
SULEY IGT (white)
Appellation: IGT Toscana
Vintage: 2022
Bottling period: April 2023
Bottles produced: 2000
Grape Variety: Sangiovese, Vermentino
Fermentation: 15 days at controlled temperature not above 16°C, 61°F, off the skins
Maceration: Off the skins, 15 days
Alcohol content: 13 % Vol
Area of Production: Colli di Marsiliana
Average Altitude: 90-100 mt
Soil type: Clay based, medium-textured
Grape yield: 10 tons/hectare
Plant density: 5000 vines/ha
Suley IGT tasting notes: Produced by separating the skins from the must, this white wine offers a fresh, fruity aroma with some sour cherry, plum, and blackberry notes. Straw yellow in color, full of body and freshness.
Food pairing: This robust white wine pairs well with seafood, poultry, and pork.
AGAPE DOC (rosé)
Appellation: DOC Maremma Toscana
Vintage: 2022
Number of bottles produced: 3000
Bottling period: April 2023Grape Variety: 60% Sangiovese, 30% Syrah & 10% MerlotFermentation: A controlled temperature not above 18°C, 64° F
Maceration: 8 hours
Alcohol content: 13.5 % Vol
Area of Production: Colli di Marsiliana, winery’s vineyards
Average Altitude: 90-100 mt
Soil type: Clay-based, medium-textured
Grape yield: 8 tons/hectare.
Plant density: 5000 vines/ha
Rosato DOC Tasting notes: A pale pink, pale salmon color. Nose of cherries and berries with hints of white floral aromas. Excellent acidity enhances its freshness.
Food pairing: Ideal as an aperitif with cured meats and crostini, as well as with white meat, fish dishes, including fish soups such as bouillabaisse.
