Bolgheri

History

Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings 1942-1944. Produced Sassicaia 1948 for family consumption only. Nephew Piero Antinori convinced commercial release; 1968 vintage unveiled 1971. 1972 Sassicaia won 1978 Decanter "great clarets" tasting, beating Bordeaux. Term "Super Tuscan" coined for non-traditional appellations. DOC 1994. Sassicaia granted own DOC 2013 - only single-estate DOC in Italy.

At a glance

Climate

Mediterranean coastal with Tyrrhenian Sea influence; cool sea breezes moderate heat; 14°C average annual temperature; 600mm precipitation

Signature wines

Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia (since 1968) and Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Ornellaia (since 1985) - legendary Super Tuscan expressions

What sets it apart

Birthplace of Super Tuscan movement; 1972 Sassicaia beat Bordeaux 1978; only single-estate DOC in Italy (Sassicaia 2013); Mario Incisa della Rocchetta revolution against Sangiovese tradition

• 1,370 hectares vineyards
• DOC 1994
• Sassicaia only single-estate DOC in Italy (Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC 2013)
• 1972 Sassicaia won 1978 Decanter tasting over 33 wines from 11 countries