Ornellaia Estate Wine

“Tenuta dell’Ornellaia leaves me looking for words that can adequately capture the pure magic and sheer profoundness the property has achieved” ~Antonio Galloni

In the heart of Tuscany's coastal Bolgheri region, Ornellaia has earned its place as one of the world's finest wine estates. Established in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, this iconic producer has consistently crafted exceptional Bordeaux-style blends, cementing its status as a trailblazer in the Super Tuscan movement. With its first vintage released in 1985, Ornellaia quickly gained worldwide recognition for its outstanding Bordeaux blends that captured Bolgheri's unique terroir.

Ornellaia Winery: The Estate's Ideal Terroir & Soils

Amidst rolling hills kissed by gentle sea breezes, Ornellaia vines enjoy a privileged position that mitigates summer heat while still shielding them from harsh winds. The complex mix of soils provides an ideal foundation for the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot vines that thrive here. Grapes are meticulously hand-picked and sorted, ensuring only the finest berries make their way into Ornellaia's flagship wine, a masterful Bordeaux-style blend aged for 18 months in oak (70% new) and an additional year in bottle.

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia: Estate History & Key Figures

Ornellaia's history is marked by the influence of visionary figures who have shaped its path to greatness. Andre Tchelistcheff played a pivotal role in identifying the estate's most prized parcels, including the renowned Masseto vineyard, which would later become the source of Italy's most celebrated Merlot. Equally influential was Michel Rolland, who joined the team in 1991 and guided Ornellaia's winemaking to new heights. In 1999, Robert Mondavi Winery acquired a minority interest in the estate, later assuming full ownership by 2002 and forging a partnership with the esteemed Frescobaldi family. Since 2005, the Frescobaldi firm has been the sole proprietor of Ornellaia, ensuring the estate's legacy endures.

Ornellaia: Winemaker Axel Heinz

In 2005, Axel Heinz, a German-born, Bordeaux-raised winemaker, took the helm at Ornellaia. Armed with an agronomy degree specializing in viticulture and enology from the University of Bordeaux and experience from various Bordeaux estates, Heinz skillfully led Ornellaia and Masseto for over 17 years, earning a reputation as one of the world's greatest winemakers. The 2020 Ornellaia marks the final vintage crafted under his expert hands before his departure in March 2023 to become the CEO of Chateau Lascombes in Bordeaux.

Ornellaia Winemaking Philosophy

Ornellaia's winemaking philosophy is grounded in a meticulous approach that honors the integrity of each grape. Parcels are vinified separately, with grapes undergoing manual harvesting and sorting before and after destemming. Primary and malolactic fermentation take place in stainless steel, allowing the fruit's pure character to shine. Base wines are aged for one year before the final blend is assembled and further refined in barrel, with each wine receiving a minimum of six months bottle age prior to release.

Ornellaia Winery: An Iconic Early Super Tuscan Figure

Beyond its own remarkable achievements, Ornellaia has played a pivotal role in shaping the legacy of Bolgheri and the Super Tuscan movement as a whole. Standing alongside legendary producers like Tenuta San Guido and Le Macchiole, Ornellaia has helped elevate the region to its current prestigious standing. Moreover, the estate laid the foundation for Masseto, Italy's most iconic Merlot, which began as a single-vineyard offering under the Ornellaia label before establishing its own identity.

Masseto Wine: Born of Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Ornellaia's legacy is intertwined with that of Masseto, a 100% Merlot style introduced in 1991 that quickly took on a life of its own. It did not take long for Masseto to earn its first 100-point score and establish itself as a household name in the world of wine. Today, both wines share the same ownership but are produced at two distinct estates from separate vineyards, a distinction solidified in 2011.

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia: The Full Portfolio of Wine Styles

The estate's portfolio has expanded to include a range of exceptional wines, each showcasing a unique facet of Bolgheri's terroir. Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia, the estate's second wine, is crafted from younger vines and offers a more approachable expression of the Ornellaia style. The Ornellaia Bianco, first released in 2013, is a captivating blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier that highlights the estate's white winemaking prowess. Other notable offerings include Le Volte dell'Ornellaia, a harmonious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese, and Ornus dell'Ornellaia, a luscious late-harvest Petit Manseng dessert wine.

Ornellaia & Masseto: The Global Reputation

The profound influence of Ornellaia and Masseto on the history and growth of Tuscany cannot be overstated. These estates stand among the most esteemed and influential worldwide, renowned for producing world-class wines and elevating Super Tuscan wines onto the global stage. For collectors and connoisseurs, owning a bottle of Ornellaia is like owning a piece of history, embodying the vision of Andre Tchelistcheff, the expertise of Michel Rolland, and the irresistible allure of Tuscany's Mediterranean coast in every glass. Tenuta dell'Ornellaia is undeniably one of Italy's flagship wine producers, deserving a spot in every wine collector's cellar worldwide.