There are many activities that can be connected to a winery visit on the Tuscan coast, including relaxation and local gastronomy
Riparbella and Suvereto
DueMani and Petra are a must to visit, respectively in Riparbella and Suvereto, where you can combine the architectural beauty of the structures with a healthy walk among the vineyards, ending with the pleasure of an elegant tasting. The wineries offer identity-driven wines that smell of Mediterranean scrub and maintain a fil rouge with the fruit and floral scents of Tuscany.
DueMani
DueMani comes to light thanks to Elena Celli and Luca D’Attoma. The decision to create DueMani on the Tuscan Coast was born to produce wines from the grape varieties: Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot, as the climate and soil are ideal for these varieties.
Slope creates a peculiar amphitheater of vineyards in an extreme place, with a strong presence of clay and stones, that has been uncultivated for years and is surrounded by the Mediterranean scrub. The hillside overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea at an altitude between 200 and 300 meters. Sun, light and continuous breezes guarantee good temperature ranges, which are crucial for aromas and slow ripening, a perfect balance in the final product.
After planting the vineyard, they have followed the principles of biodynamic agriculture, in order to respect and preserve this environment and enrich it with energy and vitality. Viticulture is careful, by hand or with small, light tractors for soil tillage and distribution of biodynamic preparations. Fragrant and flavorful grapes are obtained to produce clean, original, tasty wines, with its own unique and recognizable taste.
Petra
Petra, owned by the Moretti family (owners of historic estates as Bellavista in Franciacorta and Sella & Mosca in northern Sardinia), is striking due to its monumentality. Even before being a winery, Petra has been a natural oasis covering 300 hectares, encompassing the green belt of the Colline Metallifere, the Montioni Park, the Poggio Tre Cancelli Reserve and the Sterpaia Park, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the structure of the Petra winery highlights the measure, the beauty, the depth of the landscape around. As a symbol of a sensitive approach to the technological process, the cylindrical body, totemic and organic, embraces the entrance and winemaking activities on the inside.
Lovers of fine dining can try the only starred restaurant in the area, Zazzeri’s La Pineta, and relax at the Fonte alla Lepre Spa Resort.
Bolgheri
Moving on to the famous Bolgheri area, it is impossible not to come across a winery tour, because some of the world’s most famous wines are born in this area. Tenuta San Guido and Ornellaia are excellences of enological Made in Italy, but Tenuta Argentiera, Le Macchiole and Guado al Tasso are among the most renowned.
The favorable climate
In this area, the microclimate is unique and peculiar, surrounded by hills in the shape of an amphitheater. The winds, especially those coming in from the Tuscan Archipelago, cool the area for most of the year, with an average annual temperature of 15.5°, about one degree lower than in other areas of the coast. This condition gives greater freshness and elegance to the wines. The frequent presence of the winds, at least 250 days a year, has another effect on plant health, as it limits the presence of humidity in the vineyards and thus all the risks of diseases related to it.
The soil geology
In addition to climate, soils also play an important role. At the geological level, Bolgheri has a dual origin, marine, due to the retreat of the sea, and alluvial, linked to the deposits that streams from the hills over the ages. To understand the great complexity of Bolgheri’s soils, a major zoning study was carried out in the mid-1990s and then completed in 2006, led by Professor Attilio Scienza. Twenty-seven different types of soils were identified, which are difficult to identify by macroareas.
To enjoy a relaxing stay with a visit to the winery, you can stay overnight at Podere il Castellaccio and La Cipriana, which also produces one of the area’s most representative oils. If you want to try real local cuisine, a must stop is Osteria La Magona on Bolgherese.
Maremma
The Maremma is an area rich in experiences. For sports enthusiasts, the windy Argentario Gulf is ideal for kitesurfing and Maremma’s expanses of countryside are perfect for horseback riding.
Terre di Talamo, one of the leading wineries in the Maremma area, has left one of its red wines on the seabed of Talamone, “Talamo a Mare,” to rest and cradle in steel cages at a depth of about 30 meters for underwater aging from 12 months.
Terre di Talamo, an estate owned by the Bacci family, covers a 52-hectare hill near Talamone. 32 of these are planted with vines. In addition to Sangiovese, other varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Alicante, Vermentino and Viogner are planted to produce Morellino di Scansano at Terre di Talamo.
The soil type
The soil type is unique and mostly composed of draining materials such as boulders, limestone and sands on the surface. At about a meter and a half deep, the composition changes. It is enriched with clays that keep the soil cool and retain the water reserves for the survival and ripening of the grapes during hot summers, which are typical of this microclimate. Through the roots, the complexity of the soil is found in the wines produced on the estate with mineral notes, giving a perfect balance between alcohol and acidity.
The view from the estate toward the sea is truly breathtaking.There are plenty of restaurants in the area. One of them is definitely Il Pellicano, where it is also possible to stay for a full Michelin-starred exeperience.
Opening image: Petra’s winery, designed by architect Mario Botta
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