Producer Profile
Ornellaia is a wine
estate in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany close to the Tyrrhenian Sea in western
Italy. Established in 1981 by Ludovico Antinori, this exciting winery produces
excellent ‘Bordeaux-quality’ wines and is considered a ‘Super Tuscan’ wine.
It was Ludovico Antinori’s mission to create world-class wines that rival
those of Bordeaux and the estate has succeeded, using Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grape varieties which thrive in
Ornellaia’s exceptional viticultural environment.
The rolling vineyards of Ornellaia sit atop soil that was once beneath the
nearby Mediterranean, a mix of sand, marl, marine fossils, clay, limestone and
pebbles. These all contribute to Ornellaia’s ideal terroir and its unique
microclimate of warm air and cooling maritime breezes provides perfect
winegrowing conditions.
Antinori’s dedication to excellence propelled this winery into the
international arena. Today it is run sustainably by the longstanding winemaking
family, the Frescobaldi’s, with consultation by Michel Rolland. The 97 hectares
produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Viognier and
Petit Manseng grapes and a collectable and highly prized Italian wine that
espouses elegance, quality and longevity. Ornellaia can be considered one of
Bolgheri’s finest.
