Ornellaia Winery Guide

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Last updated: April 20, 2024

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.