Celia Erickson and Will Schragis went to graduate school together. They each spent a decade in the wine and spirits industry—Celia as a sommelier, Will as a brand manager and cellar consultant. They love working together, even if they don’t have that much in common… except for one thing: they both really love Ligurian Vermentino.

In 2024, they tasted (they think) every Ligurian Vermentino at Vinitaly and fell for one bottle at a the consortium’s table. The next day, they met Ludovico Berta—or “Ludo,” as they now call him. His family winery is tiny (Small Victories imports their wine now), but his estate can only spare a few hundred bottles a year for the U.S.

Enter Nicolas Risso and Cantine San Steva. Nicolas and Ludovico grew up together (apparently, Nicolas “has had relations” with Ludovico’s sister). Nicolas’s family recently expanded into a new winery overlooking the Mediterranean—it’s exactly what you imagine when you hear “Italian Riviera.” Ludovico knows their vineyards well.

Originally, the plan was to hire Ludo to make Youthful Porpoise at San Steva… but then San Steva hired Ludovico themselves (because he’s just that fucking talented). Now, all three companies work together to bring a simple, easy-to-love package to a wine that could—and should—be the poster child of the region.

Youthful Porpoise is a playful pipe dream made possible by this portfolio. It’s designed to approach fine wine the way a focused spirits brand might approach the market: one vision, one story—easy to understand and easy to love.