While gazing over Amalfi’s dazzling sea, over lunch on the island of Capri, Bella Sirena Founder and CEO Jacqueline Marcus discovered Falanghina wine. While Marcus had been to Italy before, it was not until the summer of 2022 that she visited the Amalfi Coast and had that universal, first-time-in-Amalfi experience.
She fell in love.
Amalfi. Ravello. Capri. Sorrento. The towns of this iconic coastline have entranced visitors for decades, and its effect on Marcus was no different. When she arrived in Positano, a siren’s song lured her to the land’s viticulture. At the hotel Il San Pietro di Positano, she found herself face-to-face with a tiled mural of a mythological seascape, staring into the eyes of a mermaid. It was as if the mermaid whispered into her ear, “Bella Sirena.”
Enchanted by Positano’s fresh, ocean-caught cuisine and bountiful lemon groves, Marcus tasted Falanghina white wine and discovered all of Campania’s flavors encapsulated in one glass. Eventually, she returned to the U.S. as a changed person, invigorated by Amalfi’s salt and sea.
There was just one problem.
“When I arrived back in New York, I searched my local wine shops and could not find Falanghina anywhere,” explained Marcus. “At restaurants, I would study the Italian section of the wine menu and Falanghina was always missing.”
For Marcus, this simply would not do. Equipped with the spirit of Amalfi’s coast, she took matters into her own hands and decided to launch Bella Sirena (“beautiful mermaid” in Italian).
During the two years of Bella Sirena’s inception, Marcus plunged herself into a journey of research, authenticity, and quality.
“I wanted to make sure I was well versed in everything regarding the Campania region, the varietals, and the complex structure of the U.S. wine industry,” she said. “Our grapes are hand-harvested and hand-grown. We work with family-owned wineries from Italy with high standards and a careful, attentive approach to winemaking.”
Bella Sirena’s vines are nourished in the Mediterranean’s warm climate, where breezes off the Tyrrhenian Sea cool the harvests of Campania’s soil, richly volcanic thanks to Mount Vesuvius. Cradled in these ideal conditions, the grapes that become a bottle of Bella Sirena reflect the region’s truly unique terroir.
Once the harvest, fermentation, and bottling processes are complete, the wine is ready to pour. Crisp apple and pear flavors swirl with citrus blossom aromas—embodying Amalfi’s natural ingredients in its traditional dishes. Paired with light Amalfitano seafood like spaghetti alle vongole, or sampled with soft, spreadable cheeses like burrata and mozzarella di bufala, Bella Sirena’s crisp notes compliment a refreshing aperitivo al fresco. A delicate balance of sapidity and minerality cultivates the sensations of Mount Vesuvius’ soil—all in a single sip.
With a launch party this past summer at T BAR’s Roslyn and Southampton locations, Bella Sirena hit the U.S. wine scene with a splash of its mermaid’s tail. This fall, the city will sip Amalfi sensations when Bella Sirena pours at T BAR’s Manhattan location.
“We plan to continue expanding across the U.S., so our fans from all over can enjoy our delicious Falanghina,” teased Marcus on what’s ahead. “Some incredible restaurant partnerships are in the works, so stay tuned!”
As its motto says, Bella Sirena is “a toast of tradition for a modern palate,” tantalizing even the pickiest taste buds. Each bottle imports the vineyards of the Amalfi Coast, bringing to your table a singular wine experience found only in the Old Country.
Bella Sirena ships to New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California. All consumers must be 21 years or older to purchase. Please drink responsibly.
Savor Amalfi’s spirits at bellasirenawine.com.
