Ornellaia is a wine estate in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany close to the Tyrrhenian Sea in western Italy. Established in 1981 by Ludovico Antinori, this exciting winery produces excellent ‘Bordeaux-quality’ wines and is considered a ‘Super Tuscan’ wine.
It was Ludovico Antinori’s mission to create world-class wines that rival those of Bordeaux and the estate has succeeded, using Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grape varieties which thrive in Ornellaia’s exceptional viticultural environment.
The rolling vineyards of Ornellaia sit atop soil that was once beneath the nearby Mediterranean, a mix of sand, marl, marine fossils, clay, limestone and pebbles. These all contribute to Ornellaia’s ideal terroir and its unique microclimate of warm air and cooling maritime breezes provides perfect winegrowing conditions.
Antinori’s dedication to excellence propelled this winery into the international arena. Today it is run sustainably by the longstanding winemaking family, the Frescobaldi’s, with consultation by Michel Rolland. The 97 hectares produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Viognier and Petit Manseng grapes and a collectable and highly prized Italian wine that espouses elegance, quality and longevity. Ornellaia can be considered one of Bolgheri’s finest.
