Tenuta di Biserno

Tenuta di Biserno - the passion for top wines

In 1995, when Marchese Lodovico Antinori set out to find suitable land for the expansion of his Ornellaia winery, he discovered, almost by chance, Biserno, a fabulous estate with breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. He quickly realizes, however, that the geology, geography and climate are markedly different, despite the short distance from Bolgheri, hillier, rockier, harsher. The decision is soon made, here a new, independent project in the still unknown Alta Maremma is to be created.

Tenuta di Biserno - Antinori to the power of two

After the sale of Ornellaia, the winery that Lodovico Antinori founded in Bolgheri in 1981 as an answer to Sassicaia by his cousin Nicolò Incisa, and to Solaia by his brother Piero Antinori, the way is clear for the new project in Biserno. For this, the historical rivalry is overcome and Lodovico enters into a technical relationship with his brother Piero Antinori and with the landowner Umberto Mannoni to bring to life together the potential of Tenuta Biserno. Between 2001 and 2005 new vineyards were planted and the resulting wines have to date exceeded all expectations and can be considered new stars in the firmament of Super Tuscans.

Tenuta di Biserno - the terroir of Alta Maremma

The winery today counts 95 hectares with two estates in Alta Maremma, Tenuta di Biserno with 49 hectares and Tenuta Campo di Sasso with 46 hectares, on the coast of western Tuscany, nestled in the hills of Bibbona. It borders the historic village of Bolgheri and offers a beautiful view of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the opposite island of Elba and in the distance the island of Corsica - a very special place.

Tenuta di Biserno

The soil consists of what is known as Bolgheri conglomerate - a mixture of mineral-rich alluvium, active limestone and round pebbles that provide drainage. Rather uncharacteristically for Bolgheri, there are also pockets of important clay. Due to the terroir and soil characteristics, Tenuta di Biserno is planted exclusively Bordeaux varieties, mainly Cabernet Franc, followed by Merlot, some Cabernet Sauvignon, shares Petit Verdot. The soil is very diverse. High-density, maritime sediments and clay, on well-protected, northwestern slopes, provide ideal conditions for Merlot, while free-drying gravel sites at higher elevations are perfect for Cabernets Franc.

The soil is obviously an important aspect of the terroir, as is the microclimate. The nearby Tyrrhenian Sea acts as a mirror, reflecting sunlight, so Biserno benefits from cooling breezes and perfect sun exposure.
Right on the border, in the exceptionally beautiful Bellaria site, whose northern exposure is within Biserno and southern exposure within Bolgheri, is the famous Lodovico vineyard, 6 hectares of spectacular terroir within Biserno, considered the best in the area and from which comes the eponymous Lodovico wine.

Tenuta Campo di Sasso

Not far away and yet physically separated, Tenuta Campo di Sasso, with a total of 46 hectares divided into three plots, is located southwest of Biserno, 7 kilometers away and closer to the town of Bibbona. The soils are significantly different from those of Tenuta Biserno, being more sandy, clayey, alluvial soils with good drainage and only small amounts of clay. Here in the Vigneto San Giovanni and Insoglio are grown mainly Cabernet Franc and Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The first wine of Tenuta Campo di Sasso is vinified in 2003 as Insoglio del Cinghiale.

The Relais Biserno

Among vineyards, lemon trees and olive groves stands the Relais Biserno country house and guesthouse, rebuilt in 1950 after the original 18th century house that had been destroyed exactly a century earlier. Beautifully furnished, with an impressive vaulted hall, a magnificent garden with pool, it is available since 2006 for exclusive celebrations and events, wine and olive oil tastings, as well as visitors to the winery, recently with an attached store.