Nestled along Tuscany’s stunning Etruscan Coast, Bolgheri is a small place with an outsized legacy in winemaking. This Italian appellation is in the Alta Maremma part of the Tuscan coast and is named after the town of Bolgheri, which lies at its heart.
Home to the Castle of Bolgheri, incredible restaurants and wine shops, and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, Bolgheri is just a few miles from the Tuscan coast, situated south of Livorno, west of Siena, and about a two-hour drive from Florence.
As far as Italian wine regions go, Bolgheri is young but world-renowned. It’s unique thanks to its location, simultaneously close to the sea and nestled in the rolling hills of the Colline Metallifere. Most wines in Tuscany are produced farther inland, so the location makes Bolgheri stand out.
Today, this region is synonymous with high-quality, age-worthy red wines based on Bordeaux blends. Yet, Bolgheri’s prestigious reputation evolved from humble beginnings.
As someone who lived in Tuscany for over a decade and now works as a travel planner who curates itineraries to Italy, I can attest that this wine region is well worth a visit. If our Italy-bound travel clients stay anywhere in the area, from Lucca or Forte Dei Marmi or along the Maremma coast, we always encourage them to spend time wine tasting in Bolgheri.
Bolgheri DOC’s 30th Anniversary
To mark this region’s progress, Bolgheri DOC (or Controlled Denomination of Origin, indicating the wine adheres to strict government standards) celebrated its 30th anniversary with a massive dinner.
Over 1000 guests dined alfresco along the area’s famous Viale dei Cipressi, the Cypress Avenue road leading from the Castle of Bolgheri.
If you’ve ever imagined what a fairytale Italian dinner would be, this was it. Held on September 4, 2024, by the consortium BolgheriDivino, the event was a tribute to the region’s history. The dinner offered more than 300 wines for tasting, with over 70 sommeliers from AIS Toscana assisting.
The History Of Bolgheri Wine
But Bolgheri was once only known primarily for producing unremarkable white and rosé wines, largely ignored by the rest of Italy. In contrast to renowned regions like Chianti Classico, Bolgheri was considered better suited to other types of farming until the 1970s.
Enter The Marchese
The perception of Bolgheri wines shifted thanks to the efforts of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, whose estate is the now world-famous Tenuta San Guido. It started in the mid-20th century when the Marchese recognized the similarity of the local climate and terroir to that of Bordeaux and the potential to craft age-able, exceptional red wines.
Inspired by the gravelly soils of Bordeaux’s Haut-Médoc and his love for those varietals, the Marchese began planting French noble grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. These wine grapes were a far cry from the native Italian grapes like the more traditional Sangiovese, which dominated vineyards at the time.
The Blind Tasting Of 1978
With the help of his oenologist, Giacomo Tachis, the Marchese produced the house wine he called Sassicaia. When his nephews, Piero and Lucovico Antinori, tasted the wine, the family decided to bottle and market the 1968 vintage.
The turning point was in 1978 when Sassicaia was included in a blind tasting arranged by Decanter magazine. To everyone’s surprise, Sassicaia outperformed some of Bordeaux’s most prestigious wines, and Bolgheri entered the spotlight. Sassicaia has since become one of the most famous wines in the world, leading to the establishment of the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC in 2013.
The Birth of Super Tuscan Wines
Sassicaia’s success also played a significant role in the emergence of the term “Super Tuscan.” Before 1994, Bolgheri’s red wines didn’t fit Italy’s DOC regulations, which focused heavily on using native grape varieties. As a result, Sassicaia and other Bordeaux varietal-based wines had to be classified as vino da tavola (table wine), the lowest designation in Italian wine law.
However, the quality of these wines was undeniable, and their popularity soared internationally. Super Tuscan was coined to describe these unconventional wines that defied traditional regulations by blending non-native varieties, primarily Bordeaux grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
Bordeaux Varietals in Bolgheri
The classic Bordeaux grape varietals—Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot—are critical to Bolgheri wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most prominent grape in Bolgheri and forms the foundation of its iconic red wines. Known for its deep color, high tannins, and aging potential, Cabernet Sauvignon gives Bolgheri wines their structure and boldness.
Cabernet Franc
The region is also home to Cabernet Franc, which is typically blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to add finesse and complexity.
Merlot
Merlot, also frequently grown in Bolgheri, plays an essential supporting role in many Bolgheri blends, especially in the region’s more wealthy and famous wines like Ornellaia and Masseto (write those down if you ever need to impress a wine lover!).
Petit Verdot
Lastly, Petit Verdot is another Bordeaux varietal occasionally used in Bolgheri wines, often in small percentages. It adds color, structure, and floral notes to the blend, contributing to the wine’s overall complexity.
Bolgheri Red Wines
Producers create two Bolgheri DOC reds from these grapes: Bolgheri Rosso and Bolgheri Superiore. These wines are made primarily from the Bordeaux varietals above, but they differ in aging requirements and quality.
Bolgheri Rosso
Until the current DOC regulations were laid down in 1994, Sassicaia and the other Super Tuscan wines produced in Bolgheri were usually sold as Vino da Tavola or Toscana IGT.
Bolgheri Rosso is the area’s flagship red wine. It can be made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, with up to 50% Sangiovese or Syrah allowed. Bolgheri Rosso is typically fruit-forward, with vibrant aromas of dark berries, herbs, and spices. These wines are delicious in their youth but can also age well, developing more complex flavors.
Bolgheri Superiore
Bolgheri Superiore is a more structured, age-worthy version of Bolgheri Rosso. However, don’t assume that superiore means superior. The superior can use the same wine as the Bolgheri Rosso; the only difference is that it must undergo at least two years of aging, with at least one year in oak barrels.
These aged wines are known for their depth and concentration, with dark fruit, leather, and earthy undertones. Bolgheri Superiore wines can often age for decades, developing additional flavors of tobacco, truffle, and dried fruit.
Aged In French Oak
Both Bolgheri Rosso and Bolgheri Superiore benefit from the technique of wood contact aging, which enhances the wines’ complexity and longevity. French oak barrels, both new and used, are typical in Bolgheri, contributing flavors of vanilla, spice, and toast to the wines. This aging process also softens the tannins, or that bitter mouth feel you may know, making the wines more drinkable over time.
The Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
While most of Bolgheri’s wines fall under the Bolgheri Rosso DOC, Sassicaia holds a special place in the region. In 2013, the Italian government recognized Sassicaia’s unique status by creating the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, a subzone of the larger Bolgheri region.
This DOC is dedicated exclusively to the production of Sassicaia, which must be made from at least 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the remainder typically being Cabernet Franc.
Sassicaia is an exceptional-quality wine known for its elegance, balance, and aging potential. It often exhibits cassis, cedar, leather, and spices flavors, with a firm structure that allows it to develop over decades. Spending $200 or more on a bottle of this elusive wine is not uncommon.
Bolgheri White And Rose Wines
While red wines dominate Bolgheri, the region produces a small but interesting selection of white and rosé wines.
Bolgheri Bianco
Bolgheri Bianco is the primary white wine in the area. It’s made predominantly from Vermentino, with smaller amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Trebbiano Toscano.
Vermentino thrives in Bolgheri’s coastal climate, producing wines with bright acidity, citrus flavors, and a hint of salinity from the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea. Another Bordeaux varietal, Sauvignon Blanc, adds grassy and herbaceous notes, while Trebbiano contributes to the wine’s freshness.
While these wines are usually enjoyed young, some producers experiment with barrel aging to add complexity and depth.
Bolgheri Rosato
Rosé wines in Bolgheri, known as Bolgheri Rosato, are made from the same Bordeaux varietals used in the red wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. These rosés are fresh and vibrant, with red berries, citrus, and floral flavors. They are perfect for summer sipping and pair well with the region’s seafood.
The Bolgheri white and rosé wines are gaining recognition for their quality and appeal. Interestingly, these were the first wines produced here under the DOC status, and now they’re the lesser-known varieties!
The success of Bolgheri has inspired enterprising people to plant elsewhere in the region, including in the up-and-coming Val di Cornia and Suvereto zones. We can help curate a wine-tasting experience for the renowned wineries of Bolgheri and some of the lesser-known wine areas.
Six Tips For Wine Tasting In Bolgheri
Here are six tips if you plan on wine tasting in Bolgheri:
Day Trip To Bolgheri
It’s a great day trip from Pisa, Livorno, Volterra, or other locations along the southern Tuscan coast. However, it’s not a realistic day trip from Florence, as it can take over two hours each way.
Make Winery Reservations
Bolgheri is a popular wine region, so we recommend making reservations before you go. Be sure to call a few weeks in advance and check opening hours.
Plan Your Wine Budget
It’s not unusual to see wines from Bolgheri priced at over 100 euros a bottle, and the tastings can likewise be pricey. Head to wineries focusing on Bolgheri DOC wines for more economical wine tastings.
Book A Wine Tasting With Lunch
Some wineries offer lunch and wine pairings. These are great for experiencing the wine as it was meant to be enjoyed—with the local food!
See The Town Of Bolgheri
Be sure to spend some time in the town of Bolgheri, too. It’s a picture-perfect village with a castle owned by the Gherardesca family since the 1200s. Some restaurants, like Sottoporta, have incredible wine lists chock full of local wine, making it a perfect way to try local wine without traveling too far.
Book A Driver
Of course, we never recommend drinking and driving, especially in an area with windy country roads like this. If you need help booking a local car service, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bolgheri is renowned for its exceptional terroir and innovative approach to winemaking, which distinguishes it from other Tuscan wine regions:
- Maritime Influence: Situated close to the Tyrrhenian Sea, Bolgheri benefits from a moderate climate with sea breezes that temper the summer heat, which is ideal for growing high-quality wine grapes.
- Super Tuscan Wines: Bolgheri is famous for pioneering the production of "Super Tuscans," which are premium red wines made from non-traditional Tuscan grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. These wines often blend these varietals with Sangiovese, creating complex and long-lived wines.
- Soil Diversity: The region boasts a mixture of clay, sand, and silt soils, which contribute to the robust and nuanced flavor profiles characteristic of Bolgheri wines.
Several wineries in Bolgheri are world-renowned for their quality and beautiful settings, making them must-visit destinations for wine enthusiasts:
- Tenuta San Guido: Known for producing Sassicaia, a pioneering Super Tuscan with international acclaim.
- Ornellaia: This estate is celebrated for its Bordeaux-style blends, particularly its flagship wine, Ornellaia.
- Antinori's Guado al Tasso: Famous for its Super Tuscan blend Guado al Tasso, this estate showcases innovation in viticulture and winemaking in a stunning Tuscan landscape.
- Le Macchiole: Known for its focus on mono-varietal wines, including outstanding expressions of Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Bolgheri offers a variety of wine tours tailored to different interests and depths of experience:
- Guided Estate Tours: These tours typically involve a walk through the vineyards, an explanation of the winemaking process, and a visit to the cellars, culminating in a guided tasting session.
- Private Tours: For a more personalized experience, we can help you book private tours that might include vertical tastings (sampling the same wine across different vintages) and exclusive access to limited-production wines.
- Food and Wine Pairing Tours: Given Tuscany's rich culinary traditions, many tours offer the opportunity to pair local wines with Tuscan specialties, enhancing the tasting experience.
Tuscany Italy Beaches
As you explore the rich, bold flavors of Bolgheri wine, don’t miss the chance to unwind along the nearby Tuscany Italy beaches.
Just a short drive from the renowned vineyards, you’ll find some of Tuscany’s most beautiful stretches of coastline, including spots like Castiglioncello, Castiglione della Pescaia, and Monte Argentario.
Have Us Plan Your Italy Trip
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