About the Brand
Points of Distinction
- A partnership between Marchese Lodovico Antinori, creator of Italian legends Ornellaia and Masseto, and his brother Marchese Piero Antinori, President of acclaimed Antinori Wines
- Vineyards benefit from Upper Maremma's perfect terroir
- Unique blends, higher in Cabernet Franc
- A collaboration with legendary Oenologist, Michel Rolland
Marchese Lodovico Antinori, creator of two of Italy’s most famed wines, Ornellaia and Masseto, conceived of his new project with these benchmarks in mind. He discovered the special Tenuta di Biserno terroir, situated in the Upper Maremma, with his long-time friend and wine adviser, Michel Rolland. He is joined by his brother, Marchese Piero Antinori, President of world renowned Antinori Wines.
A Perfect Terroir
On Upper Maremma’s famous coast, Tenuta di Biserno lies among the hills of the village Bibbona, bordering the famed Bolgheri DOC. Representing some of Italy’s most prized terroir, Upper Maremma combines unique soil compisition with the cooling influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The vineyards of Bibbona and Bolgheri meet each other, as Lodovico observes, “very similar to Saint Emilion and Pomerol.”
Lodovico learned about this parcel of land from Dante Scanavino, his then-General Manager at Ornellaia. Lodovico surveyed the land and was struck by the similarities between this terroir and that of Masseto. But beyond that, what Lodovico recognized here were other elements in the soil that immediately inspired him to plant Cabernet Franc.
A Unique Blend; Leading with Cabernet Franc
As with the established tradition of the neighboring Bolgheri DOC, Lodovico decided to plant exclusively Bordeaux varietals with one major difference: the use of Cabernet Franc in greater percentage, followed by Merlot. There is also a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a relatively high percentage of Petit Verdot, which has surprised so many wine professionals for the way in which this almost abandoned varietal in Bordeaux is doing so well in these sunny hills.The 40 ha of the Biserno estate are composed of a complex soil consisting of silt, alluvial sand, and in certain parts a high percentage of clay, combined with Bolgheri conglomerate (the geological name for the soil indigenous to the Bolgheri-Bibbona area). It is rich in minerals, recognizable upon tasting the wine.
