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

A blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from the small Tuscan DOCG of Carmignano, matured for 12-16 months in a blend of tonneaux and botti. Concentrated and spicy, it's full of perfumed dried fruits and violets, with dusty notes of tobacco and earth on the finish.

93
SEPTEMBER 2017
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2016

A wine with chewy tannins and intensity. Full and flavorful. Ripe tannins. All here. Excited to watch this evolve. A blend of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon.

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

Powerful and polished, the 2019 is another excellent Ghiaie della Furba.  With the same blend as the 2016, Cabernet Sauvignon (40%), Syrah (35%) and Merlot, this youthful dynamo displays haunting peppery accents that balance the deep, plum-like black fruit nuances.  Finely honed firm tannins add to its appeal and impart balancing structure without astringency.  Fresh and lively, it has a graceful and persistent finish.  

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.

93
DECEMBER 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2013

This is rich and intense with dried persimmons, dried oranges, toffee caramel and milk chocolate.  Dense and waxy with a delicious sugary fruit character and a lingering floral and honeyed finish.  Drink or hold.

92
MARCH 2024
Tenuta di Capezzana Trebbiano Toscana IGT 2022

The 2022 Trebbiano blossoms in the glass with a sweetly floral bouquet of crushed yellow apples, peach skin, anise, sweet sage and dusty stone. This is round and supple, with depths of ripe white pit fruits perfectly contrasted by saline minerals and hints of spice. Fresh acidity maintains a lovely balance. It tapers off long and staining, classically dry and youthfully tense. The 2022 is gorgeous but will be at its best after further cellaring.

94
JUNE 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2017

The Carmignano wine region of Tuscany got a lot of support from the Medici family.  In the mid-1500s, long before Super Tuscan became a thing, Catherine dè Medici brought Cabernet Sauvignon to Tuscany.  It was one of many wedding gifts from her marriage to Henri II of France.  According to The Untold Story of Chianti by Bill Nesto MW and Frances Di Savino, Cosimo III dè Medic created Italy’s first legally defined wine regions of Carmignano Chianti, Pomino, and Val di Sopra in 1716.  Carmignano became a DOC in 1975 and a DOCG in 1990.  The Carmignano appellation has a minimum requirement of 50% of Sangiovese for reds, but Cappezana’s wine contains 80% blended with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Its color is dark ruby and aromas of black cherry and blackberry with a whiff of fresh mint.  It is medium bodied with intense, flavors of black fruits, cherry, plum and currant supported by crisp acidity and chewy tannins.  Enjoy this delicious wine with a grilled piece of prime meat.

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.