sassicaia winery visit

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Bolgheri and Sassicaia Wine tour

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This exclusive private tour provide our clients with a chance to explore a part of Tuscany off-the-beaten-track. A special day tour await the wine connoisseur in the rolling hills of Bolgheri where some of the most high end Italian wines are produced. Travelling with our expert driver/guide you’ll enjoy an insider’s view to a region seldom visited by tourists. A region that boasts enchanting hill towns, Etruscan remains, beautiful beaches and the world famous Super Tuscan wines of Sassicaia, Ornellaia & Masseto estates.

Some thirty years ago a wine producer from Piedmont saw the potential for wine production in the area along the “coastal Etruscan road”, south of Livorno, in the rolling hills around the enchanting medieval town of Bolgheri. In a short time, this back-water off-the-beaten track, boasting some of the finest coastline in Italy, became one of the driving forces behind the rejuvenation of Tuscan wines.

In this heavenly setting, some of the best and high end Super Tuscan Wines are produced, such as the Sassicaia, considered as the greatest cabernet based wine of Italy and Masseto wines.

Some of the wineries in this area are very exclusive and open to the public only by appointment. For this reason on this specific tour we usually don’t included the cost of the wine tastings, but we’ll arrange your appointments with prestigious wineries, such as Ornellaia, Guado di Tasso, San Guido (consider the price range is between 50 and 65 euro per person at the Ornellaia and San Guido, to be paid locally).

This coastal wine region grows mostly French grape varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot) and the huge success and world recognition of these wines have forced the Italian State to recognize them with the denominations of Bolgheri DOC and Sassicaia DOC – quite a victory for the people who started out wine making in an area that seemingly no one else would have believed in.

During the visit of medieval Bolgheri, surrounded by cypress trees, you’ll have the opportunity to taste most of the prestigious wines of the area at the local Enoteca (wine bar) where these prestigious wines are sold by the glass. This is a very good opportunity as most of these wines are very expensive…!

The beauty of the area, the enchanting small hill towns, the likes of Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci, the interesting Etruscan remains on the cost, along with the peaceful atmosphere of these places, make of this outing a very interesting tour for the traveller looking to explore this less touristy, yet enchanting, part of Tuscany.

• Private Mercedes-Benz sedan or minivan
• Pick up & drop off at your hotel
• English speaking driver at your disposal during the all tour
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• Sassicaia & Company

A tailored offer for your break in Livorno and the land of Sassicaia and the Super Tuscans: private transportation, guides, and lunch

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Enjoy your stopover in Livorno with this day tour - through the land of Sassicaia and the Super Tuscans with private transportation, guides, including lunch. And a visit of Livorno!

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Private guided tour for small groups up to 6 people, perfect for cruisers arriving to Livorno port.

Includes: private minibus with an English speaking driver, guided tour of the best wineries in Bolgheri and guided wine tasting, lunch, guided tour of Livorno and the ancient port.

Languages of the guide: English, French or German.

Tour is available on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Attention: the time ont he calendar is merely indicative, as we are aware ships have variations on arrival time. Please indicate us the expected arrival time of your cruise to the port once you have completed your order, by email.

Cancellation policy: 100% refund for cancellations at least 15 days before the tour; 50% refund from 14 to 2 days before the tour; no refund for further cancellations and no shows.

Sassicaia & Co | WEEKEND in ITALY

• Your day tour through the great vineyards of the region departs from the tourist pier in Livorno
• Guided tour of the best wineries in Bolgheri and wine tasting: Tenuta San Guido (Tuesday only), Grattamacco, and Michele Satta
• Lunch in a traditional Tuscan restaurant
• Guided tour of Livorno and the ancient port
• Back to the tourist pier in Livorno

The Sassicaia , arguably the most famous wine in all of Italy, is an experience unto itself as the wine has its own DOC – Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC – a status that no other wine in Italy has. Produced by Tenuta San Guido at its estate in Bolgheri amidst the famous “avenue of cypresses,” Sassicaia is a wine that has been a true trailblazer. The whole area is particularly dedicated to the production of great wines and enjoys a dry climate with consistent thermal ranges needed for superior grape production. The Grattamaco estate is situated on top of a hill facing the sea between Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheri at 100 m above sea level. Extending over an area of about 35 hectares, of which 14 are vineyards and 3 are olive groves, the estate follows the criteria of organic farming, guaranteed and certified by ICEA. And last but not least the estate of Michele Satta , who was led to become a winemaker by his passion for the land, the charm of a product that expresses art and culture, the intuition of being in an environment of high wine vocation and his meeting with the winemaker Attilio Pagli, still his dear friend and collaborator. The estate produces fine wines that are consistently among the high-ranking wines of the the region. Livorno was defined as an "ideal town" during the Italian Renaissance. Today, it reveals its history through the structure of its neighborhoods, crossed by canals and surrounded by fortified town walls, through the tangle of its streets, which embroider the town's Venice district, and through the Medici Port characteristically overlooked by towers and fortresses leading to the town centre.

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• Food & Wine

The Best Of Bolgheri: 10 Wineries You Can’t Miss

• October 7, 2021

Located along the wild southern coastline of Tuscany , Bolgheri is the birthplace of Super Tuscans and home to Italy’s fabled Sassicaia red wine. Although its history is shorter than that of Chianti, it has become a coveted destination for enophiles and produces full-bodied reds with international grape varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot (rather than Tuscany’s local Sangiovese grape). Intrigued? Read on to discover our favorite wineries in Bolgheri.

From Florence, the drive will take you about 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can also take the train to the “Castagnetto Carducci” train station which is about a 12-minute car ride from the town of Bolgheri itself. That being said, you’ll probably want access to a car if you’re visiting this area so you can check out a few wineries! I’d suggest visiting the town of Bolgheri and two wineries for a well-rounded day of wine tasting.

The Town of Bolgheri

Boasting the longest cypress-lined road in Italy–with over 2,500 trees lining the 5-kilometer road–the drive into the town of Bolgheri will make you feel like you’re crossing over into the magical world of Italian wine. Once you park and walk through the gothic archway of the Castello di Gherardesca, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the hamlet. There are numerous wine bars in Bolgheri but my favorite is Enoteca Tognoni where you can get tasty food in a cozy atmosphere surrounded by walls of wine bottles. During busy months, you can even try a glass of the famous Sassicaia here for about €25.

The Best Super Tuscan Wineries In Bolgheri

These higher-end wineries offer tastings that range from €80-€120 per person.

Tenuta San Guido

First founded in 1944, Tenuta San Guido ‘s Mario Incisa della Rocchetta is the name that spearheaded the Bolgheri region to international fame. This year, the estate celebrates the 50th anniversary of Sassicaia, a Bordeaux-style red wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Tenuta San Guido also produces Guidalberto, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend, and Le Difese, a Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese blend.

Located just around the corner from the town of Bolgheri, Ornellaia is one of the area’s most renowned wineries. Along with Sassicaia, this was one of the first producers of Bolgheri Super Tuscans offering a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc blend. They also offer a 100% Merlot. Each year, Ornellaia invites an international artist to create a series of limited-edition wine labels as part of its Vendemmia d’Artista project.

Grattamacco

Founded in 1977 by Maurizio Castelli, Grattamacco was one of the first Super Tuscan pioneers with a red that blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese. The estate is set upon two hills that face the sea, granting a high altitude for the area, and features a single vineyard trained in the alberello style. Grattamacco was also the first estate to plant Vermentino in Bolgheri, a mineral-rich white wine.

Guado al Tasso at Tenuta Belvedere

Just off the parallel Via Aurelia, this wine is produced by the famed Tuscan winemaker Antinori. Ludovico Antinori founded the winery of Ornellaia and his brother, Piero Antinori, is another early Super Tuscan winemaker. Home to the beautiful “Bolgheri Amphitheater,” a plain encircled with rolling hills, the Guado al Tasso estate cultivates Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Vermentino Nero and Bianco vines.

Tenuta Argentiera

Further south on the Via Aurelia, you’ll find Tenuta Argentiera . Named for the silver mines of the Etruscan era ( argento means silver in Italian) this is the winery that is closest to the sea. You can taste wines down by the entrance or take the jeep tour around the vineyards and up the steep hill to a kind of wine fortress at the top with a clear view of the sea.

These more affordable wineries offer tastings that range from €20-€50 per person.

Castello di Bolgheri

With vineyards located on the historic Gherardesca lands surrounding the Castello di Bolgheri , you can enjoy a wine tasting while stepping back into history without ever leaving the town. The Gherardesca family ruled most of the region since the middle ages and without their land holdings, Super Tuscan wine may have never existed. Remember Mario Incisa della Rocchetta ? He married Clarice Gherardesca, which is why he was given the plot of land that would eventually become the birthplace of Sassicaia.

Caccia al Piano

Right next door to Ornellaia on Strada Provinciale Bolgherese, Tenuta Caccia al Piano was first established in 1868 but their wine-making production began in 2003. While they may be a newer estate, their wines are affordable and noteworthy. Their olive oil farm, begun in 1987, is right across the street from the winery where you can enjoy a delicious Tuscan lunch outside in their olive grove.

Podere Sapaio

The cellars of Podere Sapaio are closer to the Castagneto Carducci train station in Donoratico and offer €10 tastings but you can also do more picturesque tours of the vineyard on request for €50. The characteristic crown on their label is a tribute to the nobility of wine, and while they are also new to the wine region (production started in 2000), their two Bolgheri DOC wines are garnering warranted attention.

30 minutes north of Bolgheri in Riparbella, Duemani is a biodynamic winery founded in 2000 by Elena Celli and Luca D’Attoma. In addition to fruity reds aged in barrels, the estate produces a 100% Syrah Rosé and 100% Grenache wine aged in amphora.

Another winery located in Riparbella, Caiarossa wine-making follows the principles of Feng Shui. With carefully constructed cellars, they follow choices of color, placement, and materials. Who can say if the wines appreciate it, but guests certainly do!

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Post written by: Lauren Mouat

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10 Things You Should Know About Sassicaia

words: Tim McKirdy

Published: July 26, 2019

When Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta married Marchesa Clarice della Gherardesca in 1930, her dowry included the 7,500-acre Tenuta San Guido estate. Nowadays, the estate is better known by the name of its world-famous wine, Sassicaia.

Located in coastal Tuscany outside the village of Bolgheri, production in the region traditionally focused on light, easy-drinking wines, designed to be consumed shortly after harvest. But the Marchese had grander visions for the region’s winemaking potential. He dreamed of emulating fine Bordeaux reds, and aimed to craft wines that would rival the prestigious Chiantis of the nearby rolling Tuscan hills, and the Barolos of Piedmont in Italy’s northwest.

Della Rochetta saw his dreams realized in just a few decades. By the late 1970s, Tenuta San Guido’s Sassicaia helped spawn the highly coveted “Super Tuscan” category. Sassicaia’s widespread critical acclaim also caused ripples that would change Italian labeling laws forever.

How did one wine make such large waves? Here are 10 things you should know about Sassicaia.

Sassicaia shuns tradition.

The first vintages failed to impress..

Up to the early 1960s, Tenuta San Guido didn’t release its wines commercially. And the unsophisticated early vintages failed to leave an impression on critics, who were more accustomed to the light, local style. The majority of production was instead consumed by the family or left forgotten in the cellar.

The vineyard’s name is inspired by stones.

Marchese’s son was just as innovative as his father., french oak barriques bring balance..

Under the elder Marchese’s helm, the estate aged wines in 225-liter Slovenian oak barrels. The casks broke from the traditions of nearby Chianti, where large oak aging vats were commonplace. The highly extracted wines that emerged from the smaller barrels were hard and tannic. This character gave them great aging potential, but also meant the wines required extended periods to settle in bottle before they could shine.

Sassicaia is one of the original “Super Tuscan” wines.

In the 1970s, Tenuta San Guido wasn’t the only coastal Tuscan estate championing international grape varieties. Historic producer Marchesi Antinori introduced its Tignanello wine in 1971, under the direction of Nicoló’s cousin, Piero Antinori. And in 1981, Marchese Ludovico Antinori founded Tenuta dell’Ornellaia on the property neighboring Tenuta San Guido.

Sassicaia: the world’s best table wine.

Upon their introduction, the so-called Super Tuscans could only carry the labeling term Vino da Tavola, or table wine, because their grape varieties and barrel-aging practices fell outside of DOC and DOCG regulations.

Sassicaia’s victory prompted labeling reforms.

The fact that one of Italy’s finest wines could merely be labeled a table wine left the authorities in a quandary. Eventually, in 1992, they introduced the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) classification. Unlike DOC and DOCG classifications, the IGT classification focuses on the wine’s region of origin, rather than grape varieties or wine styles

Sassicaia is one of the most popular wines in the world.

Celebrities and athletes are fans..

Sassicaia’s legion of fans includes many high-profile admirers, including noted oenophile LeBron James as well as the Obamas , David Beckham , Rihanna , and Duran Duran. The latter reportedly requested the wine in their backstage rider for a 2011 world tour.

• 10 Things You Should Know About Sassicaia | VinePair
• https://vinepair.com/articles/sassicaia-italy-wine-guide/
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• wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Super Tuscan, wbs_brand Sassicaia, Italy, Sassicaia, Super Tuscan, Tuscany
• Versatility, Tradition and Innovation: Valdo Is the Next Level of Prosecco | VinePair
• https://vinepair.com/articles/valdo-prosecco/
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• wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Prosecco, wbs_type Sparkling Wine, wbs_brand Valdo, italian wine, prosecco, Prosecco DOC, Sparkling Wine, UNESCO, valdobbiadene

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My Springtime Visit at Tenuta San Guido: Sassicaia, But Also So Much More

by Yumi Liu

This is the second piece and the first major feature written for the TerroirSense Wine Review by Yumi Liu, one of the top scoring students of the TerroirSense Wine Academy’s first class of the Advanced level course on Italian wines. Her passion and dedication to Italian wines and wine in general are such (one look at her course textbook as well as her Native Wine Grapes of Italy and The Grapes and Wines of Italy: The definitive Compendium Region by Region tomes will reveal myriad underlined parts, yellowed out sections and more) that she can tell you that there is a difference between, for example, between Moscato Bianco, Moscato Giallo and Moscato di Alessandria (Zibibbo) and how their wines differ, or that there are eighteen different Malvasia grapes in Italy and guess what, their wines differ too. It’s always a pleasure to welcome into our wine-writing team such passionate and hard-working individuals, and I for one look forward to welcoming more in the future.

In 2023, when China began to liberalize its policy on the prevention of COVID-19, I finally had the opportunity to visit wineries in Italy and all over the world again. Given my great love and interest in Italian wine, the first stop after a three-year hiatus could not have been anything else but Italy and its wineries. Italy was once known as Oenōtria by the Latins and Oinotria by the Greeks, meaning “land of wine” and so you just know that wine permeates Italian society at all levels. Not surprisingly, the list of quality wine estates is almost endless. It all makes for one exciting visit after another, not to mention standout learning opportunities.

One memorable stop was at a winery that is a “hall of fame” wine estate in the hearts of many Chinese: Tenuta San Guido.

Getting to know Tenuta San Guido

Tenuta San Guido is most famous for its top wine, Sassicaia, one of the world’s most important red wines. Italy’s most expensive wine ever is the 1985 Sassicaia (sold at more than 4000 Euros a bottle) but many other vintages are also sought after by collectors everywhere. In China where I live, Sassicaia is known as the “Lafite” (Chateau Lafite Rothschild) of Italy, so the very high esteem it is held in is clear. In this light, tongue in cheek, we might even go as far as to say that Lafite is the Sassicaia of France.

Although people speak always of “Sassicaia” and refer to the winery with that wine’s name, the name of the estate that produces Sassicaia is actually Tenuta San Guido, named after Saint Guido della Gherardesca, who lived in the eleventh century. Tenuta San Guido is located in the Bolgheri wine region of Tuscany, which is situated between the cities of Livorno (Leghorn, in English) in the north and Grosseto in the south. The Bolgheri region is by the seaside, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea (in fact, the Bolgheri denomination is part of the larger Tuscan Coast wine region), one of the four seas that make up Italy’s portion of the larger Mediterranean Sea (the other three seas are the Adriatic, the Ligurian and the Ionian Seas). Tenuta San Guido makes three red wines: all are of an exceptionally good quality level, but are, logically enough, offered at three different price points. Le Difese is essentially an entry-level red; Guidalberto is the red that follows in importance, and Sassicaia is the estate’s top wine. In fact, they are three very different wines, so it’s not exact to say that, for example, Sassicaia is the grand vin and Guidalberto the estate’s “second wine”.  The three are made from different vineyards and are blends of different grape varieties (Le Difese’s blend contains Sangiovese and Guidalberto’s Merlot, neither one of which is found in Sassiciaia’s blend of grapes). Both Le Difese and Guidalberto are sold as “Toscana Rosso” wines, while Sassicaia has its own appellation (known in Italy as denominazione ): the Denominazione di Origine Controllata, or DOC (in France, Appellation d’Origine Controllée, or AOC), called Bolgheri Sassicaia. It is the only single estate in Italy with its own named denomination. In another telling sign of this estate’s fame and importance, in 2004 Tenuta San Guido joined the international association of winery first families, the Primum Familiae Vini (or PFV), that counts amongst its members only twelve of the world’s most prestigious family-owned wineries, including Spain’s Torres, Germany’s Egon Muller and France’s Hugel.

Tenuta San Guido, more than just wine

While Tenuta San Guido is most famous and best-known for its Sassicaia wine, there is in fact a lot more going on there. For one thing, the estate is huge: from the sea to the hills stretching for thirteen kilometers, the winery is only one part of Tenuta San Guido’s reality, which also includes a thoroughbred horse breeding farm and a World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-managed natural oasis and bird sanctuary. And if you thought Sassicaia was famous, you cannot even begin to imagine just how famous the horse farm of Tenuta San Guido is. To be clear, defining its role and significance in the history of race horses and horse breeding as landmark and legendary is no exaggeration.

I spent my day at the winery in the company of Ian D’Agata, universally recognized as the world’s biggest Italian wine expert. If you know anything about Ian, then you are aware he wants to know and understand everything there is to about a winery, its people and wines. And as he has been at san Guido countless times before, he wanted to make sure I got to know the estate in all its varied facets. And so my day at Tenuta San Guido was spent, in addition to learning about the vineyards, the winery and its wines, also visiting the stables of the Dormello Olgiata stable and the natural oasis park.

Tenuta San Guido’ successes can be traced to the happy and fruitful marriage between Mario Incisa della Rocchetta and Clarice Della Gherardesca, two Italian nobles. The two both loved horses and nature, besides wine. Their first love led them to launch the Razza Dormello-Olgiata thoroughbred stud farm in association with horse breeder and trainer Federico Tesio. So just how successful were these three people and their horses? Suffice it to say that from 1944 to 1996, the children and descendants in the male line of their horse stable’s stallions Donatello II, Nearco and Ribot, all bred by Tesio, won 120 of 265 editions of classic British trials (in other words, almost half of them). At his farewell speech at the thoroughbred Breeders Association in Newmarket in 1964, Lord Rosebery stated that: “Nobody in this century has most influenced the breeding of thoroughbreds than Tesio and Lord Derby”. You will agree, that’s quite something. And while Nearco is remembered by many horse racing aficionados as one of the greatest horses that ever lived (think Secretariat-like great), I was very excited to learn about the legend of Ribot, a champion horse generally believed to be the greatest racehorse that ever lived. He never lost a race, was defined as “the horse of the century” on more than one occasion, and made the cover of  Der Spiegel  magazine (Europe’s version of  Time ).

But at the Tenuta San Guido, besides horses and vineyards, there are also more than 1,000 hectares of forest in addition to over 500 hectares of wetlands. We also went to see the WWF Ecological Reserve, the largest such wildlife reserve in Italy. In 1959, the couple transformed their seventy-three hectares of freshwater marsh (surrounded by another 445 hectares of forest, wet meadows, pastures, swamps and arable land) into the first Italian private nature preserve. The oasis is now run under the auspices of the WWF. (For those wishing to know more about this amazing wine estate, its people and its wines, I refer you to Ian D’Agata’s benchmark vertical tasting report here in the TerroirSense Wine Review , Vertical tastings section: April 22, 2022: Sassicaia Vertical: 40 Years of Tenuta San Guido’s Italian Wine Icon, 1978-2019). The oasis is an shadow-rich intricate maze of trees, shrubs and marshes, while the beach is wide open and sunny, with a completely deserted beautiful beach and the waves crashing onto it providing a spectacularly beautiful and relaxing sight. Suffice it to say that after my stroll along the wind-swept beach, I understood fully why I so often find nuances of nori in Tenuta San Guiido’s three wines.

The vineyards and wines

Tenuta San Guido’s vineyard covers approximately 70 hectares, all within the Sassicaia DOC, and is planted with a number of different grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The average age of the vines is 25-30 years, and the vineyards are divided according to the type of soil and composition of each plot. The best plots, those that produce grapes used to make Sassicaia, are located at an average altitude of 200 to 300 meters, such that they are the beneficiaries of both altitude and sea breezes, resulting in more elegant wines. In fact, the oldest vineyards at the Tenuta San Guido are those of Castiglioncello, located at 400 meters above sea level, by far the highest vineyards planted anywhere within the Bolgheri wine region. The San Martino and Mandrioli vineyards are close to the hills in the center of the estate, while the rest of the vineyards are at a much lower altitude of about 80 meters above sea level. Clearly, the location and altitude of the vineyards in different regions is an important factor in providing potential complexity to the grapes and the wines, as well as providing greater options for harvesting on the basis of weather conditions and grape ripeness. Generally speaking, the wines at Tenuta San Guido are made in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats with a capacity of 3,500 to 11,000 liters and aged in barrels the percentage of new wood of which is small. The maceration period is approximately two weeks, but differs ever so slightly between varieties. For example, the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards used to make Le Difese are situated between 100-300 meters above sea level, on different types of soil but all characterized by a good limestone content, while the Sangiovese is sourced in inland Tuscany. The Cabernet Sauvignon macerates for 12-14 days while the Sangiovese stays on the skins just a little longer. The wine is stainless steel-fermented and aged for six to eight months in barriques previously used for Sassicaia and Guidalberto. The wine’s name, Le Difese, is a reference to the teeth of the wild boar, the animal that is depicted on the Le Difese label. Differently from Le Difese which is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese blend, Guidalberto is a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; first made in 2000, it was initially meant to provide wine lovers with an alternative to Sassicaia that was readier to drink sooner, but it has grown in standing and is now as sought after as its more famous, bigger brother. In China for example, Tenuta San Guido could sell as much as three times the number of Guidalberto bottles it currently has available for that market, so it’s fair to say the wine has been a resounding success. The vineyards are located at the same altitude as those of Le Difese, and the time of maceration is vintage-dependent, though in general the merlot is kept on the skins 12-14 days and the Cabernet Sauvignon 13-16 days. The wine is aged about twelve to sixteen months in French oak barriques (as well as in a small percentage, about 5-7%, of American oak). The wine takes its name from an important family ancestor, Guidalberto della Gherardesca. Last but certainly not least, Sassicaia was first made in the 1968 vintage. Aging is carried out in about 33% new French oak barrels with a capacity of 225 liters for roughly two years.

The wines in this tasting

Tenuta San Guido 2021 Le Difese Toscana Rosso              91

Good full ruby-red. Wild strawberry, blackberry and cedar complicated by spice tones on the nose, with a subtle hint of earthiness and of nori . Lively acidity provides lift and extends the blackberry and cedar flavours on the long suave finish that features lingering sweetness. First made with the 2002 vintage, this is a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, and is an excellent buy for the money. It strikes me as being one of the best Le Difese ever and I actually like it better currently than the 2021 Guidalberto. Drinking window: 2023-2032.

Tenuta San Guido 2021 Guidalberto Toscana Rosso         90+

Bright saturated ruby. Full-blown nose offers attractive blackberry, wild blueberry, and violet aromas complicated by hints of tobacco and of nori . Then at once fleshy and silky in the mouth, with flavours of wild blackberry and fresh mint. The finish is supple and graceful, with mineral tones providing more complexity. Strikes me as being a bigger, creamier and more dark fruit-accented Guidalberto than usual that will undoubtedly have many fans, but I prefer some of the more refined versions of earlier years. Drinking window: 2025-2038.

Tenuta San Guido 2020 Sassicaia Bolgheri Sassicaia         92+

Deep ruby-purple color. Fresh yet ripe aromas and flavours of dark cherry, plum and black truffle, nicely complemented by hints of coffee, milk chocolate, and herbs, plus the telltale note of kelp, nori even. Big and luscious in the mouth, with bright harmonious acidity and suave tannins nicely framing the multilayered long finish. This strikes me as being a Sassicaia that will be approachable sooner than some other recent vintages, and that may not be quite as long-lived but will offer wonderful early pleasure. I tried this wine on two different occasions about four weeks apart: the first time, the wine did not seem to be especially full-bodied or nuanced, while the second time it provided a much better showing, with bolder, deeper, richer but still refined flavours. Therefore, my score is somewhat lowish because it represents the average of the scores of the two different bottles I tried. Drinking window: 2028-2045

Tenuta San Guido 2013 Sassicaia Bolgheri Sassicaia         95

Now this is beautiful. Good deep red-ruby color. Inviting aromas of blackcurrant, dark plum, blood orange and menthol are complicated by a subtle hint of dried rose and violet. Sweet spices, cedar, and licorice complement flavours of red and dark berries in the mouth. The finish is bright and penetrating, with a saline nuance lingering prettily. Very smooth and light on its feet, this is an extremely refined Sassicaia. The 2013 Sassicaia was released thirty years after the death of Tenuta San Guido’s founder, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, and in the same year that his son Nicolò celebrated his 80th birthday. Drinking window: 2023-2048.

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Kudos! one of the best articles on this property and her wines I have read, and I have read a bunch over the years. Well done! We want more from you, and expect we will see more in the coming days, months and years. Bravo!

That’s great, we at the TerroirSense Wine Review aim to please and so if this article hit the bullseye, then I’d say mission accomplished! Moe articles coming up from Yumi and our other wine writers soon! Ian

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Bolgheri Wine Tour

Let's discover the excellent Sassicaia

The region where world-renowned Sassicaia wine is produced extends near Castagneto Carducci, in the province of Livorno, and it is an area along the Tuscan coast protected by the hills of Bolgheri where the salty air, cool winds and a fertile soil offer the perfect conditions for the production of great wines. The name Sassicaia derives from that soil characterized by round pebbles carried by ancient rivers and streams.

The best vineyards are located at the foot of the hills and in the plain between Bolgheri and Castagneto where there is a perfect micro-climate with average temperatures of about 14°C, which allow a slow and steady ripening of the grapes and keep all their organoleptic properties unaltered and high acidity levels, which are essential to give balance and freshness to wine.

During our Bolgheri wine tour we will discover that this geographic area is divided into three large regions: hilly, middle and flat area near the sea. Soils are different: more alluvial and rich in iron oxide and volcanic rocks in the hilly area (Colline Metallifere), more clay-rich in the middle area and sandier in the flat area. Thanks to this different types of soil, water reserves and nutritional elements vary considerably from one area to the other. The vineyards are generally located on terraced fields with different levels to keep moisture deep underground and release it during periods of intense drought. Sunlight is also amplified by reflection on the sea water. Rains are well distributed over the year: heavy during the vegetative growth, less frequent during the ripening time and then abundant again after the grape harvest.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The first vineyard producing Bolgheri Sassicaia was planted in 1944 in Castiglioncello di Bolgheri on a field with eastern exposure at 400 meters AMSL. The oldest vineyards have a density of 5,500-6,000 plants per hectare, whereas some of the most recent ones can reach 10,000 plants. The most common vine training system is spur pruning but some wineries have also guyot-trained or bush-trained vines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot are the most widely grown grape varieties in this region, but in the last few years wineries have also experimented the cultivation of other varieties such as Syrah and Petit Verdot. As for white wines, Vermentino is the most widely grown grape variety.

Please contact us for further information about rates and wineries to visit during our Bolgheri Wine Tour and we will send you a tailored offer.

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Tenuta San Guido

Tenuta San Guido is a 2.500 hectares estate with around a hundreds of vineyard. It has been the first winery to produce in the forties a wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon, thanks to the experimentations and the foresight of its founder, Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. The use of this particular variety and the ageing of the wine in barriques, laid the basis for the Bolgheri style.

The vineyards

The winery it’s the only one entitled to the production of DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia, once a sub-area of the DOC Bolgheri, which has been turned into a DOC of its own in December 2013. The most famous wine made by Tenuta San Guido is Sassicaia, released on the market for the first time with the 1968 vintage.

Sassicaia | DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia

Tenuta San Guido Marchese Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta

Find us with Google Maps | Loc Capanne 27 57022 Bolgheri (LI) 0565 762003 | [email protected] www.tenutasanguido.com

The producer’s tale

The company and its vineyards

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CONSORTIUM FOR THE PROTECTION OF DOC BOLGHERI AND DOC BOLGHERI SASSICAIA WINES

Località San Guido, 45 – 57022 Bolgheri (LI) Tel/Fax: 0039 0565 1827234 P. IVA 01171070491 – Codice SDI: M5UXCR1

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Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2015

Sassicaia, like many of the best things in life, began as an experiment, a passion project that came to fruition thanks to good fortune and hard work.

The wine began in the 1940s as a homemade red crafted by a curious Renaissance man trying to emulate Bordeaux on his Bolgheri estate near the Tuscan coast. It became the prototype of the nascent Bolgheri region, inspiring many others while establishing itself as one of the great wines of Tuscany and Italy. And now, in 2018, 50 years after the wine’s first commercial vintage, Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri-Sassicaia Sassicaia 2015 is Wine Spectator ’s Wine of the Year.

Sassicaia is an iconic wine, as blue-chip as first-growth Bordeaux, grand cru Burgundy or Napa Valley cult Cabernet. Although its character is austere in comparison to other Bordeaux-style blends from Bolgheri, it ages magnificently, as a tasting of the 1985 vintage at the estate late last year proved. In a stellar vintage like 2015, Sassicaia has everything: rich and concentrated black currant, blackberry, violet, mineral and spice flavors allied to a dense structure; vibrant acidity that drives the long aftertaste; and beautifully integrated oak, providing impeccable balance.

But the Sassicaia 2015 is very different from the early vintages made by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, the wine’s creator. Those wines were produced from Cabernet Franc cuttings taken near Pisa and planted high on an inland hillside, near Castiglioncello. Though the original vineyard still exists, the bulk of Sassicaia’s vineyard parcels today are located at lower elevations.

“He was experimenting,” explains Mario’s granddaughter Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, who now manages the estate. Few innovators get it exactly right the first time around.

Ironically, the locals found Incisa della Rocchetta’s wine too green, preferring the light, fruity reds made from high-yielding Sangiovese. Nevertheless, after aging in cask and bottle for 10 years, Sassicaia was a revelation. It caught the attention of Piero Antinori, Mario’s nephew, who was enlisted to make Sassicaia known to the world. The debut commercial vintage was 1968.

With Antinori came his enologist, Giacomo Tachis, who applied his knowledge and skill to the development of Sassicaia. Vineyards lower on the slope and closer to the sea were planted, mostly to Cabernet Sauvignon, which became the backbone of the blend. Sassicaia today is typically 85 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 15 percent Cabernet Franc.

The new Sassicaia soon caught the attention of wine lovers worldwide. Yet it never lost its Old World character or its Tuscan roots. The 1985 and 1988 vintages are legendary, and the 2015 reveals all the hallmarks of a great Sassicaia that will one day enjoy a similar reputation.

Though the Tenuta San Guido estate grows other crops and raises and trains thoroughbred horses, wine became its main economic focus by the early 1970s. Mario’s son Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta took over from his father in the early 1980s; Nicolò’s daughter Priscilla now represents the third generation.

Since 2009, Carlo Paoli has been the estate director, overseeing a team of vineyard and cellar workers. Sassicaia is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in French oak casks, one-third new, for 24 months. Average annual production is 10,000 cases, making the wine widely available.

Tenuta San Guido produces two other red wines. Guidalberto is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60 percent), including some young vines of Sassicaia, and Merlot. Eighty percent of the grapes come from a leased vineyard near the Sassicaia vineyard; the remaining fruit is purchased. Le Difese is the only San Guido red that contains any Sangiovese (40 percent), with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Fruit for Le Difese comprises a combination of estate-grown and purchased grapes.

The Sassicaia story might never have been written at all if it weren’t for the personalities involved: fully committed and with the deep pockets to tackle the project. But it is a story with a happy ending, an amazing journey that began with the vision of its creator, shepherded along the way by some of Italy’s most respected vintners. Sassicaia has taken its rightful place in the pantheon of the world’s great wines and, spotlighted by the success of the 2015 vintage, it earns the honor of being named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year.

Tasting Note

Rich and concentrated, this red features black currant, blackberry, violet, mineral and spice flavors. Dense yet lively, structured yet impeccably balanced, with vibrant acidity driving the long, fruit-filled aftertaste. The oak is beautifully integrated. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2042. —Bruce Sanderson

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Sassicaia is a subzone of the Bolgheri DOC that has been established in 2013. The wine region is exclusively occupied by the estate Tenuta San Guido that produces a unique red wine based on Cabernet Sauvignon. This native Bordeaux grape was introduced to Tuscany by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta who believed the grape would prosper on the Tuscan terrain. The age-worthy Sassicaia is characterized by the strong aromas of dark berries, herbs, and balsamic vinegar. Because of the well-balanced tannins, it pairs well with red meat, roasted lamb, and game. Bolgheri Sassicaia remains the only wine from a single estate that has been granted DOC status in Italy.

Sassicaia is a subzone of the Bolgheri DOC that has been established in 2013. The wine region is exclusively occupied by the estate Tenuta San Guido that produces a unique red wine based on Cabernet Sauvignon. This native Bordeaux grape was introduced to Tuscany by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta who believed the grape would prosper on the Tuscan terrain.

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Sassicaia: The Ultimate Italian Wine

The “greats” like Leonardo da Vinci, Beethoven, Einstein are celebrated for their accomplishments in art, music, and science. Wine can be considered a form of art and science. Dedicated winemakers are continuously cultivating grapevines and crafting a wine’s final expression through tailored vinification. Wines from Bordeaux and Rhone Valley are considered to be some of the “greats” in the wine world. Super Tuscan, including Tignanello and Sassicaia, fall into that category.

Sassicaia is a world-renowned Super Tuscan wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This Italian beauty defied the norms and helped mold the future standards of wine in the country .  

Wines from Bordeaux and Rhone Valley are considered to be some of the “greats” in the wine world. Super Tuscan, including Tignanello and Sassicaia, fall into that category.

This elegant wine rivals Bordeaux with its luxurious texture and elegant bouquet.

What’s in a Name?

You might be wondering if Sassicaia is a type of grape you’ve never heard of or the name of a village you have do not know. Let us clear that up before we move on.

In France, you often see wines labeled by their chateau rather than the grape varietal. Several other wine regions similarly list wines by district or village. Most new world wines put the varietal on the front of the label.

In Italy, it is a bit more sporadic. Here wines can be named by the grape variety, district or village, or by a proprietary name.

Sassicaia is a propriety name made in the Tenuta San Guido Vineyard in Tuscany. Sassicaia DOC is also a subzone of the Bolgheri DOC but we get into that a little later.

The Graves district in Bordeaux means gravel after its rocky soil. To impart a similar relevance, Sassicaia means stony land because of its pebbly terrain.

Sassicaia is a relatively new wine that imparted a lot of change in its region. Let us look at how it came to be.

An Unconventional Dream Come True

Author Note: Marchese Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta, an agronomist , settled on his wife’s estate, Tenuta San Guido in the 1930s. Here he cultivated vegetables and other agricultural products, but he had a grander vision.

Most wine that was produced in the area was light ready to drink wine made from local wine varieties like Sangiovese. There wasn’t a huge amount of quantity or quality at the time.

With his love of Bordeaux wines, Della Rocchetta set out to defy the norms in Italy and planted the Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

He realized that his estate, located in the Maremma coastal area of Tuscany outside of the Bolgheri village, held stony terroir much like areas of Bordeaux.

His goal was to create fine Bordeaux style red wines in Tuscany that would compete with the esteemed Chiantis and Barolos.

While he achieved his goals in only a few decades it was a rocky start. His first few vintages were not well received and ended up in cellars or consumed by the family.

The first commercial vintage was released in 1968 and by the early 1970s, it received international awards and prestige.

The Super Tuscan Sassicaia

Della Rocchetta is known for launching the Italian wine renaissance for his contributions to the prestigious Super Tuscan category and influence in Italian labeling laws.

In the 1980s the term “ Super Tuscan ” emerged red wine blends in Tuscany that use non-indigenous grapes. They are most often aged in oak barrels and viewed as high-quality wines.

It started when winemakers like Della Rochetta decided to defy the current wine laws regulating quality Italian wines by adding non-sanctioned varietals to their blends.

Sassicaia is seen as the first Super Tuscan. Alongside Sassicaia, Tignanello was created by Antinori. Other sought after Super Tuscans are Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Tua Rita, and Le Macchiole.

Changing Classifications

When Sassicaia first entered the market it did not fit into the current rules of the Italian quality Classification system.

Despite its quality and reputation, it could only legally be labeled as table wine or Vino Da Tavola because it used different grape varieties.

Thirty years ago around 90% of all Italian wine was table wine. Now it is about 30% meaning more quality wines are being produced.

Similar to the French Classification system, the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) sets laws on Italian wine production and how it is labeled. This can include mandates on aging requirements, region, varietals allowed, and grape percentages.

In order of quality levels, these classifications are DOCG, DOC, IGT, and Vino da Tavola. IGT, however, was added as a result of Super Tuscans’ success.

As Sassicaia and other Super Tuscans gained notoriety and popularity, it was determined that they should not be labeled simply as table wines.

They did not fit into the rules of the other classifications so in 1992 Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) was declared an official classification of Italy.

Eventually, the region that Sassicaia’s vineyard Tenuta San Guido sits in became a DOC, Bolgheri DOC .

Mounting on even more increased success, Sassicaia was given status as an independent wine type in 1994. Sassicaia DOC is an official subzone under Bolgheri DOC.

Today it is the only single-estate wine to be declared its own DOC. This is an impressive honor especially for a wine that made its start only a few decades ago.

Sassicaia Winemaking

It required that Sassica include at least 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and a maximum of 20% of Cabernet Franc.

Grapes are harvested right before they hit peak ripeness to influence the wine’s expressive bouquet and offer lower alcohol levels.

Grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks for two weeks.

After being aged in small (usually French) oak barrels for two years it is then aged in bottles for six months before release.

Top Tip: As Della Rocchetta’s son, Nicolo Incisa, became more involved he took steps to modernize the winery with great success. He focused on reducing vineyard yields for more concentrated grapes and introduced innovative production methods.

Sassicaia continues to yield incredible wines that hail international acclaim.

Sassicaia Flavor Profile

Ruby red in color, Sassicaia is complexly elegant with powerful flavor. Its bouquet is driven by red berries herbs and balsamic vinegar. It carries strong notes of cassis and cedar.

This wine has a seductive concentration of red cherry, blackberry, and herbs. You can also expect to find notes of plum, blackcurrant, raspberry, strawberry, and prune.

Other characteristics of the wine are smoke, tobacco, leather, and floral notes.

Lively acidity adds additional balance and character to the wine. Its mouthfeel is round and silky leading to a long memorable finish.

When it ages for several years it develops a spicy expression with an even smoother finish.

Due to its low harvest yield and coastal climate Sassicaia is a tremendous wine for aging, compared to most Italian wines which not best when aged.

This sturdy wine should be cellared for at least two years after release, but it can be stored as long as 10 years. You will want to decant this wine for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Sassicaia Food Pairings

Sassicaia’s structure and lively acidity partners well with salty fatty foods.

Author Note: Because of its complex fruit and herb aromas and refined tannin Sassicaia pairs well with red meat, lamb, and game. Try it with Braised lamb shoulder and charred tomatoes.

Meaty pizza or Italian herb stuffed mushrooms enliven this wine . Similarly, saucy pasta dishes, grilled vegetables, and creamy polenta will send your tastebuds home happy.

Look for dishes that include spices like rosemary and thyme.

It is best to stay away from mild delicate dishes like white fish or sushi. Desserts are often not the best choice, but bitter dark chocolate may do the trick.

Today Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia is one of the most esteemed and popular wines in Italy and arguably the world.

What started as a dream of Marchese Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta, became a movement that forever changed Italian wine laws and spurred the Super Tuscan category.

This age-worthy wine has bright acidity and ample tannin. It presents complex notes of juicy red and black fruit, herbs, smoke, and perfume.

Sassicaia is an elegant long-lasting wine that is sure to impress the most critical tasters.

To living a full-bodied life,

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SASSICAIA 2019

CLASSIFICATION Bolgheri DOC Sassicaia FIRST VINTAGE ON THE MARKET 1968 GRAPES Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

Bolgheri Sassicaia

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