Petra

It’s the dream of every wine lover who has allowed themselves to be seduced by the rolling vineyards, forests, and olive groves of Tuscany to find a little corner to call your own and to join in the age-old tradition of coaxing luscious wines out of the soil. The dream came true for Vittorio Moretti and his daughter, Francesca, who discovered this beautiful seaside estate while on vacation nearby. In 1997 the pair founded this boutique winery in Maremma Toscana in Suvereto, where Val di Cornia’s hills rise toward the Colline Metallifere.

Although only a third is planted with vineyards, three hundred hectares make up the peaceful estate. Sitting on the edge of the Tirreno Sea, they’re continuously caressed by the breezes blowing in off the Follonica Gulf. The soil of the steep slopes here (which form part of the Colline Metallifere, or “Metal-Yielding Hills”) is particularly mineral-rich and ruddy colored, leading to strong-willed, complex wines. The vineyards’ layout is a patchwork of different varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc) seemingly strewn about randomly, which is no coincidence. The arrangement is based on long and careful studies of the soil, wind, sun, and climate conditions in each area of the estate. Only the vines most suited to a particular area were planted there.

Deep consideration went into the creation of the spectacularly designed winery as well. A stunning contemporary structure designed by the famed Swiss architect Mario Botta (who also designed the San Francisco Museum of ModernArt) uses sweeping lines and a ruddy, earth-toned color scheme to complement its environment. The building digs 500 feet deep to create a state-of-the-art cellar; above ground; it is a poetic addition to this land of groves and vineyards. The four high-end wines made here — Ebo, Petra, Quercegobbe, and Zingari — are known for being expressive, aromatic wines with a fresh modern style. Enjoy a VIP tasting of these exclusive wines at the winery on a Maremma Wine Tour, organized by Cellar Tours.