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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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OCTOBER 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2014
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
APRIL 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Trefiano Carmignano DOCG Riserva 2015

The 2015 Carmignano Riserva Trefiano is a dense, powerful wine. It offers tons of richness in a more overt style than the straight Carmignano. Black cherry, spice, leather, licorice and mocha give the Riserva its plush contours and exuberant feel. I prefer the straight bottling for its greater purity of fruit, but the Trefiano is undoubtedly nicely crafted.

SEPTEMBER 2021
Tenuta di Capezzana Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva 2013
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.

93
OCTOBER 2022
Tenuta di Capezzana Villa di Capezzana di Carmignano DOCG 2013

A well-aged Carmignano that is holding up very well, with savory dried mushroom, rhubarb, blood orange and moss to the earthy plums and red-berry fruit. Fine austerity coming from the chewy, unresolved tannins make it attractive with juicy, savory berry fruit to the medium-bodied palate. Still tight and bright. Drink now or keep holding for a few years.

97
DECEMBER 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. 220 cases made, 31 cases imported.

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.