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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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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.

91
SEPTEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Trefiano Carmignano DOCG Riserva 2016

A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Canaiolo. Deep ruby red; aromas of black cherry, black plum and peppermint. Medium-full with a rich midpalate, good acidity, medium-full tannins and ample wood notes. Impressive complexity and weight, so wait a few years; peak in 6-8 years

95
MAY 2023
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2013

This is the 10 Anni Library re-release of this vintage. This is maturing nicely, with ripe, sweet black currant, blackberry and black cherry core flavors accented by spice, leather, mineral and woodsy flavors. Complex, balanced and long, with an aftertaste echoing the fruit and savory elements. Drink now through 2037. From Italy.

92+
FEBRUARY 2023
Tenuta di Capezzana Trefiano Carmignano DOCG Riserva 2018

The 2018 Carmignano Riserva Trefiano opens slowly in the glass with a mix of red plums and balsam herbs. Coaxing unlocks depths of eucalyptus, mint and wild strawberries. This is velvety smooth, yet not weighty. Instead, the 2018 seems to hover across the palate with textural red and black fruits giving way to savory spices toward the close. The finish is long and potent, with fine-grained tannins penetrating deeply as cedar and tobacco notes slowly fade. The 2018 Trefiano is just an infant today; it needs extensive cellaring to unlock its full potential.

96
FEBRUARY 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2014

The 2014 Vinsanto Riserva is a dark amber color in the glass. Spiced orange peels, dusty dried flowers, cloves and baked pears follow a mesmerizing mix of shaved cedar and pine. Frankly, there’s something new each time I return to the glass. This floods the palate with ample weight while showing a sweet and sour mix of vanilla custards, toffee, candied citrus and salted almond, which adds amazing contrasts. This lingers impossibly long yet incredibly fresh, repleting its aromatics throughout as hints of hazelnut and cocoa fade. The 2014 Vinsanto Riserva makes for a fantastic wine experience that should not be missed.

92
JUNE 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2018

DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARD 2022 SILVER MEDAL.  Powerful and spicy with plenty of earthy dried herbal characters. Big with tannin-chew and a chocolate-driven finish.

90
OCTOBER 2023
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2019

A slightly brooding red, with firm tannins underlying plum, cherry and earth flavors, while accents of iron and tobacco emerge on the solid finish. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2027.

92
FEBRUARY 2023
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2019

The 2019 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana is youthfully poised with dusty rose, dried black cherries and a burnt orange zest forming its bouquet. This washes across the palate with silky textures and ripe red fruits, gaining tension through a mix of saline-tinged acidity and sour citrus notes. Its tannins come on strong through the finale, coupled with a saturation of primary concentration and mineral tones as petty inner florals slowly fade. The 2019 is packed full of potential but will require patience.