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CAPEZZANA

TUSCANY

CAPEZZANA

TUSCANY



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ABOUT THE WINERY

Few wineries in the world possess the stature, respect and devotion that the Contini Bonacossi family has cultivated and maintained over five generations with their Tenuta di Capezzana winery. The estate is located 12 miles west of Florence in the Carmignano sub-zone, one of the oldest recognized wine producing areas in Tuscany. Ancient Etruscan artifacts have shown that grapevines were cultivated in the area for wine production over 3,000 years ago. The first reference to Capezzana dates to 804 A.D.  An ancient parchment stored at the Florentine state archives shows the granting of a lease of vineyards and olive groves for the cultivation of wine and olive oil to a place called Capezzana.

Over the centuries, the estate passed through several families. But the story of today’s Capezzana started when the Count Alessandro Contini Bonacossi and his family returned to Italy after living in Spain and purchased the estate from Raimondo Franchetti’s widow, Sara de Rothschild, in 1920.  Not content with this original holding, Count Alessandro acquired the two neighboring farms, “The Poggetto” and “Trefiano,” dividing the property into three distinct estates with more than 120 poderi. The winery was dedicated to the production of high-quality wine and olive oil with the first vintage of Villa di Capezzana in 1925. 

Augusto, Alessandro’s son, took over the management of the estate and in 1945, his son, Ugo, joined him. Ugo had completed a degree in Agriculture before heading to the War, and he was devoted to increasing the quality of the family’s wines – a notable endeavor during a time when most producers were still selling their grapes by weight. It was Ugo’s vision that gradually moved the estate away from sharecropping towards a modern-day winery. 

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WINERY LOCATION: TUSCANY
REGION: Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC, Carmignano DOCG, Toscana IGT
VINEYARD LAND: 197 acres (80 ha) Estate: 670 acres (271 ha)
FARMING PRACTICES: Certified Organic
GRAPE VARIETIES: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Canaiolo, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Trebbiano, San Colombano
WINE STYLES: Dry red still, Dry Rosato, Sweet still
TOTAL WINE PRODUCTION: 400,000 - 450,000 bottles per year
YEAR FOUNDED: 804
OWNER(S): Contini Bonacossi Family
WINEMAKER(S): Benedetta Contini Bonacossi

WINES

TENUTA DI CAPEZZANA TREBBIANO TOSCANA IGT

The Trebbiano grape, also known as Ugni Blanc in France, has a long history in Tuscany. Known for its high acidity and neutral flavor profile; it a versatile grape for producing a wide range of wine styles, from crisp white wines to dessert wines. Capezzana produced its first 100% Trebbiano wine, with the 2020 vintage, using high-quality cultivation techniques and mass selection of grapes. The wine spends six months in barrique and tonneaux followed by and additional six month maturing in the bottle. This is a complex wine, that is released in late Spring, and produced in very limited quantities.

TENUTA DI CAPEZZANA BARCO REALE DI CARMIGNANO DOC

Named after the historic Medici property known as "Barco Reale" - meaning Royal Property - which was established in 1626. Today Sangiovese, Cabernet and Canaiolo grow in this ancient area that was a hunting preserve surrounded by walls over 30 miles long.  Barco Reale is a younger version of Carmignano that received DOC status in 1994.

TENUTA DI CAPEZZANA VILLA DI CAPEZZANA DI CARMIGNANO DOCG

With vintages dating back to 1925 in their cellar, Villa di Capezzana is the flagship wine of the Tenuta di Capezzana estate and representative of Carmignano's greatest quality. Created as one of the very first protected wine-producing regions in Italy, the history of Carmignano dates back to 1716 when Cosimo III de' Medici granted the area special legal protections which prohibited other regions from using the name "Carmignano" for their wines.  

TENUTA DI CAPEZZANA TREFIANO CARMIGNANO DOCG RISERVA

Made in only the best vintages, the grapes for the Trefiano Carmignano Riserva come from five hectares of vineyards that surround the historic Villa di Trefiano located in the Carmignano DOCG.  Belonging to the Rucellai family, construction on the Villa was started in the 15th century.  The family lost favor with the Tuscan Grand Dukes shortly thereafter and were sent into exile and the Villa was never finished.  In the early 1920's the Conti Bonacossi family bought the Villa and finally completed its construction.

TENUTA DI CAPEZZANA GHIAIE DELLA FURBA TOSCANA IGT

In 1979 Ugo Conti Bonacossi created Ghiaie della Furba from vineyards planted among the pebble (Ghiaie) rich soils of the Furba stream.  Originally planted with clippings from the famed Chateau Lafite estate in Bordeaux, the wine was made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot until the blend was changed in 1998 with the addition of Syrah.  The inclusion of Cabernet Franc was slowly discontinued and today the blend includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah and is made only in the best vintages.  

TENUTA DI CAPEZZANA UGO CONTI BONACOSSI TOSCANA IGT

Ugo Contini Bonacossi wine is a tribute to Count Ugo, the father of Carmignano. Sangiovese for the Viticciana vineyard, designed by Count Ugo himself. The wine spends 18 months in French oak barriques. 

TENUTA DI CAPEZZANA VIN SANTO DI CARMIGNANO DOC RISERVA

This exceptional dessert or ‘meditation’ wine is made from selected white grapes, mainly Trebbiano, which are dried for several months in the traditional manner on cane matting. The must is then fermented and matured for over six years in cherry wood, oak and chestnut kegs. The yield is very low: from 1/4 to 1/5 of the original weight of the grapes. Small production. 

LOCATION


WINERY:
Carmignano, Prato, Tuscany

VINEYARD:
Carmignano, Tuscany

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NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY



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95
DECEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2013

The 2013 Vin Santo di Carmignano Riserva is captivating, as dusty sweet florals, incense and dried tangerine evolve to enriching notes of hazelnuts, coffee grinds and candied ginger. This speaks more in whispers than shouts, with a seductive mix of pure, silky textures, ripe apricots, almond paste and salty minerals that complete this lovely and sensual expression. There’s unbelievable length, as a repeating menagerie of dried orchard and tropical fruits, as well as hints of butterscotch and sweet herbs, resonates. This wine is a labor of love, and it’s a gorgeous Vin Santo.

93
NOVEMBER 2019
Tenuta di Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC 2017

Orange zest, dried cranberries, notes of ash and tar, as well as rosemary all spring from the glass on the nose. There’s impressive polish to the strands of lightly indented tannins which are melded together with bright acidity. Medium-bodied and medium-chewy on the finish. Drink now.

90
FEBRUARY 2023
Tenuta di Capezzana Ghiaie della Furba Toscana IGT 2018

The 2018 Ghiaie della Furba is darkly floral and dusty in character with musky plum skins, dried violets and camphor hints. It gains in both volume and depth with each moment that passes. The textures are cool-toned and silky with a pure mix of red fruits and inner herbal tones, stepping lightly yet leaving a lasting impression. Grippy tannins linger through the finish and add a pleasantly poised and dry sensation while maintaining great freshness. That said, the 2018 doesn’t have the bones for long-term aging. The Ghiaie Della Furba is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 30% Syrah.

92
OCTOBER 2016
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2012

The 2012 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana is soft, radiant and open-knit, all of which give considerable appeal today. There is good brightness and intensity to the fruit, along with lovely aromatic top notes of cedar, smoke, licorice and tobacco. Given its mid-weight structure, the 2012 is likely to offer its best drinking sooner rather than later. There is no reason to delay gratification in this impeccable, beautifully crafted Carmignano from Capezzana.

93
SEPTEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2018

A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright garnet of medium intensity. Aromas of black cherry, morel cherry and a hint of anise. Medium-full with expressive ripe black fruit, very good acidity, medium-full tannins and well-integrated oak. There is impressive persistence; the finish offers notes of black plum and clove. Very appealing now; will offer greater character in 2-3 years. peak in 6-8 years. 

92
MARCH 2024
Tenuta di Capezzana Trefiano Carmignano DOCG Riserva 2019

The 2019 Carmignano Riserva Trefiano keeps the taster at the edge of the glass, taking in its autumnal blend of clove and cinnamon-dusted black cherries, all lifted by hints of sage. This is youthfully tense with a tart core of wild berry fruits and zesty citrus. Slowly mounting tannins mingle with saline minerals toward the close, finishing staining, long and epically structured, with a crunchy sensation that lingers on. Bury the 2019 Trefiano deep in the cellar.

93
JUNE 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Ghiaie della Furba Toscana IGT 2018

Blackcurrant and crushed stone with some flint on the nose and palate. Lead pencil, too. Medium-bodied with tight, chewy tannins that are polished. Juicy finish. From organically grown grapes. Better after 2023.

16.5
DECEMBER 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC 2020

Deep ruby. Black pepper, dark cherry and damson and a touch of wet forest floor with savoury, minerally touches and tobacco leaf. Old school and captivating. Tangy cherry with supple tannins. This is completely ready now, and you will catch it in the attractive phase it is in right now for the next two years, but it will age longer.