Nestled in the prestigious Bolgheri appellation on Tuscany’s coastal region, Ornellaia Winery stands tall as one of the most distinguished producers in the area. This renowned estate has gained international acclaim for crafting Italy’s most celebrated and luxurious wines, bearing the same name as the winery itself.

At the heart of Ornellaia’s success lies their iconic Bordeaux-style blend, an original Super Tuscan creation. Departing from the traditional Sangiovese, the wine masterfully combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, complemented by smaller portions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vineyard’s advantageous location, neighboring the esteemed Sassacaia in Maremma, blesses it with gentle sea breezes to temper the summer heat and shelter from harsh winter winds. Furthermore, the diverse soils, incorporating alluvial, volcanic, and marine elements, provide the ideal foundation for cultivating Bordeaux grape varieties.

Diligently hand-picked and carefully selected, each grape variety and vineyard block undergo separate vinification in stainless steel tanks. Maturing for approximately 18 months in oak barrels, of which 70 percent are new, adds further finesse to the final product.

Ornellaia’s commitment to excellence also extends to their other exceptional wines. Grapes not deemed suitable for their flagship blend find purpose in “Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia,” the estate’s esteemed second wine, which boasts a higher proportion of Merlot and spends less time in oak. The winery’s visionary outlook led to the release of “Ornellaia Bianco,” the maiden vintage of a remarkable white blend, predominantly featuring Sauvignon Blanc from three small estate vineyards known for their expressive fruit.

Beyond their renowned Bordeaux-style and white blends, Ornellaia offers a diverse portfolio, including “Le Volte dell’Ornellaia,” primarily based on Merlot, “Poggio alla Gazze dell’Ornellaia,” a Sauvignon Blanc-based white, and “Ornus dell’Ornellaia,” a late-harvest Petit Manseng.

The winery’s fascinating history dates back to 1981 when Marchese Lodovico Antinori founded it, culminating in the inaugural vintage of 1985. Notably, from 2002 to 2005, Ornellaia enjoyed shared ownership by Robert Mondavi and Marchesi De Frescobaldi, before fully belonging to Frescobaldi since 2005. The consultant winemaker, Michel Rolland, has been a pivotal figure since 1991, contributing to Ornellaia’s consistent legacy of producing exceptional wines.