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Ornellaia Winery Guide

Cellar Tours Insight — Since 2003, Cellar Tours has planned private wine journeys through the world’s leading wine regions, pairing tailor-made itineraries with VIP winery visits, fine dining, and expert regional guidance.

Winery Overview

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Winery was founded in 1981 in what has proved to be one of Italy’s most exciting and expressive wine-making areas, the maritime hills of Bolgheri within the greater wine region of Maremma. Maremma is an extremely interesting sub-region of Tuscany for food and wine lovers to visit. Although it was considered unfit for vineyards for centuries, this coastal area has become one of Italy’s most ultra-exclusive wine-producing regions in the past few decades. Ornellaia’s 97-hectare estate stretches out along the Tyrrhenian Sea, just north of the Maremma between Leghorn and the Island of Elba, and is the birthplace of the now-iconic wines Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, Masseto, and Le Volte.

Founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, brother of the powerful and esteemed Piero Antinori, Ornellaia is not one of Tuscany’s most historic wineries but has become one of its most respected. Its success is due to its staunch commitment to “quality without compromise” philosophy and the unique climate and terrain here. While in some ways similar to Bordeaux’s, the estate’s terroir is truly something special; ever-changing and composite, it includes marine, alluvial, and volcanic soils, allowing each grape variety to be planted in its ideal type of soil. Ornellaia enjoys famous neighbors such as Sassicaia, one of the most legendary Tuscan estates. Sassicaia is owned (not coincidentally) by Antinori’s uncle, who made the first Super Tuscan and began today’s trend.

The estate’s signature wine, Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore, a Cabernet-Merlot blend, first stepped onto the scene in 1985. It’s been a collector’s favorite ever since, with all bottles sold before the wine was made. Less expensive and exclusive, although also intriguing and complex, are wines like Le Volte (a Sangiovese-Cabernet-Sauvignon blend).

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia occupies two estates in Tuscany’s low, hilly coastal region. The original property, which Antinori inherited, is home to a stylish, clean-lined winery and 30 hectares of vineyards. Nearby is the second estate, Bellaria, with 46 hectares. Lodovico Antinori is no longer involved with the winery he founded; in 2002, the Mondavi Winery of California acquired full ownership, and in 2005, Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi took over. Today, a young and enthusiastic team manages operations.

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Author

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Genevieve Mc Carthy

Genevieve, originally from San Diego, California, has spent the last 25 years living in Europe, primarily in Spain, Ireland, and Italy. She has a background in the wine industry, having worked for a top wine importer in Ireland and a prestigious winery in Italy's Franciacorta region. In 2003, Genevieve founded Cellar Tours, a boutique wine tours company based in Madrid, Spain. She holds wine education credentials from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in London and has a strong network within the European wine industry. Genevieve's specializes in organizing VIP tours to exclusive wineries that are not accessible to the general public. With a passion for food and wine, fluency in multiple languages, and expertise in luxury travel and tourism, Genevieve has built a successful career in creating unique wine experiences.

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