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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 BIANCO DI 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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96
DECEMBER 2020
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2012

What a beauty. The Tenuta di Capezzana 2012 Vin Santo di Carmignano Riserva (packaged in a 375-milliliter bottle) inches forth from the tiny bottle slowly and ultimately reveals a spectacular color that is orange, copper and almost green at the same time. I tasted bottle number 962 of a precious 4,968 produced. This Vin Santo puts on a real show thanks to its rich viscosity that slides, shifts and glistens in the glass. There are many aromas to describe, and it is hard to do this wine justice given how quickly they shift and change. There is honey, brown sugar, dried herb, forest mushroom, caramel and tilled earth. I even got a hint of rubber boot. This is a work of art and a clear passion project. Assigning a numerical score to an aspirational wine like this somehow misses the point, but here goes nothing.

94
JUNE 2023
Tenuta di Capezzana Ghiaie della Furba Toscana IGT 2019


A vibrant, elegant red, boasting black cherry, black currant, violet, cedar and tobacco aromas and flavors. Balanced, while a swath of firm, dense tannins shore up the long, fruity and savory finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Best from 2025 through 2040.

89
JUNE 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana "Vin Ruspo" Rosato di Carmignano DOC 2020

The 2020 Rosato Vin Ruspo shows white strawberries, stems and all, along with hints of crushed stone and undergrowth. It’s silky, textured and pliant, offering notes of ripe melon and sweet spice. Hints of peach tea and a twang of sour citrus linger long. The Vin Ruspo is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet and 10% Canaiolo.

91
DECEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2018

This is rich, yet densely structured, which is a foil for black cherry, blackberry, earth and rosemary flavors. Long, if a bit gruff on the finish. Feels balanced and should develop well. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2038. 5,530 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

97
NOVEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2013

A concentrated mouthful of caramel, almond, chocolate, molasses and orange peel mark this dessert white, which packs a punch along with its sweetness. Bracing acidity and a walnut skin bitterness offset the viscosity and sugar deftly, allowing this to play out gracefully on the finish. Trebbiano and San Colombano. Drink now through 2040. From Italy.

90
FEBRUARY 2023
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2015

While Contini Bonacossi took ownership of this estate in 1920, it has been in production since antiquity. That's a long time to hone your skills. The Bonacossi family is carrying the legacy and tradition of this estate into the future with a wide range of wines, including this lovely Vin Santo. With notes of soft caramel on the nose and a luscious butterscotch palate balanced by natural acidity, this wine is legit. Paired with some local cheese and it's sure to hit the spot.

92
SEPTEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC 2019

Barco Reale di Carmignano 2019 (DOC) A blend of 75% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Cabernet Franc; matured in 24 hl casks. Barco Reale means “royal property.” Intense ruby red/light purple; aromas of black plum, black currant and hints of myrtle and purple pansy. Medium-full with appealing ripe black berry fruit, very good acidity, medium-full tannins and notable persistence. Excellent complexity, well-integrated oak and bright fruit combine to give this wine impressive appeal. Approachable now, better in 2-3 years, peak in 5-7 years

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.