History of Tenuta San Guido
The history of Tenuta San Guido is deeply rooted in the Italian aristocracy and in the winemaking traditions of Bolgheri. The estate was founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, who, in the 1940s, had the visionary idea of planting Bordeaux varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, in the Tuscan hills, a region historically known for Sangiovese.
Inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux, particularly Château Lafite, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta experimented with the idea of creating a wine that would combine the character of Tuscan terroir with the structure of Bordeaux blends. His decision to plant vineyards in stony, gravelly soils similar to those of Bordeaux led to the creation of Sassicaia, a wine that became the first Italian Super Tuscan to gain international recognition.
The first commercial vintage of Sassicaia was released in 1968, and it quickly gained acclaim, leading to the creation of the Bolgheri DOC in 1994, which was specifically designed for Sassicaia and other wines of the region. The estate remains in the hands of the Incisa della Rocchetta family, who continue to produce world-class wines under the leadership of Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta, Mario’s son.
Region and Vineyards
Tenuta San Guido is located in the heart of the Bolgheri DOC, an area on the Tuscan coast that benefits from its proximity to the sea. The vineyards are planted at various altitudes, from sea level up to 400 meters, offering a wide range of microclimates and soil types, from gravel and limestone to clay.
The unique climate of Bolgheri, with its mild winters and warm, dry summers, is tempered by the cooling influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea, which helps preserve the acidity and balance in the grapes. This maritime climate is ideal for Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, which thrive in these conditions, producing wines of great structure, finesse, and aging potential.
Tenuta San Guido’s vineyards are divided into three main areas:
- Sassicaia: The estate's most iconic vineyard, producing the legendary Sassicaia wine from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes.
- Guidalberto: A vineyard named after Guidalberto della Gherardesca, producing wines such as Guidalberto, a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Le Difese: A vineyard focusing on a more accessible wine, Le Difese, made with a higher proportion of Sangiovese blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine Range
Tenuta San Guido produces three primary wines, each reflecting the estate’s philosophy of quality, innovation, and respect for tradition:
-
Sassicaia: The flagship wine, made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc (15%). It is one of Italy’s most prestigious wines and has earned global acclaim for its elegance, structure, and aging potential.
-
Guidalberto: A blend of Merlot (60%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), offering a more approachable style compared to Sassicaia, but still maintaining the estate's hallmark complexity and balance.
-
Le Difese: A blend of Sangiovese (70%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), it is designed to be an early-drinking wine with vibrant fruit and smooth tannins, offering an introduction to the estate’s style at a more accessible price point.
Did You Know?
Sassicaia was so influential that in 1994, it became the only Italian wine to have its own DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, making it the first and only Italian wine region created for a single wine. This move recognized Sassicaia’s exceptional quality and its role in transforming the reputation of Italian wines globally.
