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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 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 "VIN RUSPO" ROSATO DI CARMIGNANO DOC

Rosato di Carmignano DOC has its origins in the ancient tradition of sharecropping. Farmers were known to siphon off or “ruspare” a quantity of the landowner’s pooled grape must for their own consumption. As the must would be taken in the early stages of fermentation, it was only lightly colored. Today it is still the brief contact with the skins that gives this wine its beautiful pink color. The Capezzana Vin Ruspo made with Sangiovese, Cabernet and Canaiolo, is both vibrant and elegant.

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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90
JUNE 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. 5,916 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.  

SEPTEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2013
96
OCTOBER 2020
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2016

A mild winter was followed by a rainy spring, giving great water reserves for the summer. The growing season was without extremes, the grapes reaching ripeness after three days of rain in the middle of September. 'All the grapes were perfect,' said Filippo Contini Bonacossi. Indeed, 2016 is one of the best recent vintages in Tuscany. This wine, crimson and dark, is full of concentration and extract without losing grace. Fresh bramble fruits dominated by raspberry are joined by violet, leafy notes and liquorice. The tannins are grainy and masculine, yet precise on the finish. Refreshing and balanced, this is the wine representative of the estate's postmodern winemaking: the first to be officially organic and partially aged in large oak vessels. A great Carmignano.

90
DECEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2011

The late-release 2011 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana 10 Anni is dark and floral, dusty in character, with black cherry and plum offset by hints of camphor and mint. It’s the result of a warm and low-producing vintage, which shows through its depths of silky textures matched by rich dark red fruits and hints of sour citrus. Yet there’s a spike of nervous acidity here that keeps the expression wildly fresh. Tobacco and tart raspberries linger, along with adolescent tannins, making for a nicely framed and mature expression.

OCTOBER 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2014
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.

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.

94
APRIL 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2015

The 2015 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana is bright, lifted and full of personality. Sweet red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, sage and dried flowers all grace this juicy, mid-weight wine. The 2015 is impeccably balanced and a joy to taste.