Ornellaia
The Ornellaia Story unfolds as a tale of vision, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence, beginning in 1981 when the estate was established by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, a scion of the renowned Antinori family. Although founded by the Marchese Lodovico Antinori, who was the nephew of Sassicaia’s maker and brother to Piero Antinori, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia has been owned by the Frescobaldi group for almost two decades.
A Quest for Excellence
Winemakers for 700 years, the Frescobaldi family brings together a creative mindset, pursuit of excellence, and a deep respect for tradition. Cultivating and celebrating local diversity has always been their philosophy, respecting the identity and independence of each wine estate.
From the launch of its flagship wine Ornellaia in 1985 to the introduction of Italy’s first second vin, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, and the creation of its exceptional accessible gem, Le Volte, the estate’s journey has been marked attention to details – and the belief that”many tiny details make up the unspoken bond between simplicity and constant improvement”.
From the Earth to the Sea
Getting its name from the grove of flowering ash trees surrounding the winery, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is on the Tuscan Coast, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the section of the Northern Maremma between Livorno and the island of Elba.
The vineyards extend over two adjacent areas that are separated by Bolgheri’s famed Cypress Avenue. There are 99 ha of vineyards in all, 41 surrounding the Tenuta, and the remaining 58 in an area known as Bellaria, which is closer to the sea.
Under the guidance of renowned winemaker Axel Heinz, Ornellaia has
earned a reputation for consistent excellence, producing arange of wines that showcase the full potential of the Bolgheri terroir.
Ornellaia’s vineyards, spanning 244 acres of clay, gravel, and loam soils, provide an ideal canvas for crafting world-class Super Tuscan wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the main varieties planted on the estate, followed by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, while Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, Viognier, Verdicchio and Vermentino are the grapes used to make the white wines. The vineyards are mainly southwest facing to embrace the last ray of sunshine that sets over the sea.
In 2007, a Salmanazar (9 L bottle) of Ornellaia 2005 was sold for USD$33,600 at Christie’s of New York.
A Tangible Commitment to the Future
Sustainability is a way of life that looks to the future. They see it as their duty to society as well as to the area where their vines grown, the people work and their families live. Since 2021 they have held the ‘Sustainable Organization certification in compliance with the SODP Equalitas standard.
Ornellaia’s enduring allure extends far beyond the vineyards of Bolgheri, captivating wine connoisseurs worldwide with each new vintage.
The Range
