Tenuta di Biserno
Vineyards
Tenuta di Biserno
Tenuta di Biserno is located in Bibbona, north of and bordering the Bolgheri region in Alta Maremma, near the Tyrrhenian Sea. Further enhancing its location is its neighbor, the Macchia della Magona, a nature preserve under the protection of the forestry service, which includes more than 90-square kilometers (35-square miles) of pristine land.
Site
Tenuta di Biserno is comprised of approximately 60-planted hectares (150 acres), divided into approximately 30 vineyard parcels in three distinct locations. The vineyard elevations range from 70 to 100 meters (230 to 330 feet) above sea level. Locations for the varieties grown in each parcel were selected based on slope, soil composition, exposure and influence of the sea breeze.
Climate
Bibbona has a temperate climate with a typical variation of only 10 to 15 degrees difference between day and night during the growing season and between 15 to 20 degrees during harvest. There is little rainfall from budding to harvest, with only gentle winds that come mainly off the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea.
The microclimate of the estate has a perfect combination of exposure to sea breezes and optimum sunlight due to the western exposure, all the while being sheltered from strong wind. This promises wines of great, classical structure and well-defined character as well as the potential for greatness in vintages to come.
Soil
The extremely varied soil includes the following: silt and alluvial sand from the red-orange colored sandstone of Donoratico, sandy limestone from Bibbona, sandy limestone from Montescudaio and a conglomerate of Bolgheri and blue Pliocene clay. These soils are particularly well developed and structured; they are complex, mineral-rich and ideally suited for quality winegrowing.
Viticulture
Tenuta di Biserno is one of the best researched vineyard sites in Italy. Over a period of several years, the Antinoris employed soil specialists to develop intricate soil research reports, parcel by parcel.
The results of these reports combined with the outstanding topography and microclimates were found to be ideal for cultivating classical Bordeaux grape varieties. As a result, the estate was divided into parcels to achieve the optimum conditions for each varietal: Higher-density, maritime sediments and clay soil on well-sheltered, northwest-facing slopes at lower elevations are ideal for Merlot to achieve the generous ripe cherry and dark fruit characters; The free-draining gravelly silt in upper parcels suit Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, allowing these grapes to reach full tannin ripeness; Petit Verdot, a late-ripening variety, is planted exclusively on upper parcels with maximum daily sun exposure, well-drained soils and good ventilation; Syrah, which thrives under warm, dry conditions, is planted in the warmest sites on the property with well-drained, sandy soils. The remaining parcels of Bordeaux varietals dedicated to Insoglio have soils consisting of clay and Bolgheri conglomerate.
Row orientation in all the parcels is east to west to allow the sea breezes to aerate the vines, keeping the vines clean and dry. The vines, which were planted between 2002 and 2007 using high-density spacing of approximately 5,500 vines per hectare (2,200 vines per acre), are trained using unilateral cordon and are spur pruned.
Tenuta dei Pianali
A small estate within the Marchese Lodovico Antinori portfolio, Tenuta dei Pianali is located in Bolgheri where classic Bordeaux grape varieties are grown for Coronato, a wine made from the estate fruit. Bolgheri gained much of its acclaim from the success of Lodovico Antinori’s first Bolgheri venture, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, which he began in the 1980s and sold in 2002. In 2004 he and his brother, Piero Antinori, acquired Pianali and today is part of the Marchese Lodovico Antinori (M.L.A.) portfolio of elite wine estates.
Location
It is just 6.5 kilometers (four miles) east of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Tuscany’s Alta Maremma winegrowing region and borders Bibbona to the north. Rising above a rugged, forested hillside, Pianali sits on a remote plain, 100 meters (330 feet) above sea level. Nearby “Poggio di Coronato,” or “Crown Mountain,” inspired the name for Coronato, the single wine crafted with fruit from Pianali.
Site and Viticultural Practices
The Pianali estate vineyard is located on an elevated plain, which is effected by the marine influences of the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea. The climate is typical of the Bolgheri region — mild temperatures and light rainfall. The land is well exposed and ventilated with well-draining soils composed primarily of sandy clay. It is planted primarily to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, as well as a small amount of Syrah. The vines, which were planted in 2000 and 2001 using high-density spacing of 7,500 vines per hectare (3,036 vines per acre), are trained using a unilateral cordon and spur pruning. The vineyard is divided into 10 parcels with orientation varying by parcel. East to west rows benefit from sea breezes, which help to keep the vines dry and clean. In north to south rows leaf-pulling is exercised to ensure the best exposure. Cover crops are used to reduce vine vigor and control yields when necessary. Crop thinning is used to further control yields.
