Tenuta San Guido

Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Set along the Tyrrhenian coast in the heart of Bolgheri, Tenuta San Guido is one of the most revered estates in modern Italian wine. Founded by Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the 1940s, the estate was born from a bold and unfashionable idea: to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in Tuscany at a time when local varieties dominated, and French grapes were viewed as an eccentric experiment. That vision gave rise to Sassicaia, first released commercially in 1968, a wine that would not only redefine the estate but transform the global perception of Italian fine wine. In time, Sassicaia became the only single estate in Italy granted its own DOC, Bolgheri Sassicaia, a testament to the singular identity and consistency of this remarkable property.

The estate spans rolling hills, Mediterranean scrub, and coastal vineyards rooted in gravelly soils rich in limestone and stones, the very “sassi” that inspired the name Sassicaia. Cooling sea breezes temper the Tuscan sun, creating a long, measured ripening season that preserves freshness and aromatic precision. Viticulture is meticulous and thoughtful, with a clear focus on balance, restraint, and longevity rather than power for its own sake. In the cellar, ageing in French oak is carefully judged to frame the fruit, never overwhelm it, resulting in wines that combine structure, elegance, and extraordinary ageing potential.

Alongside Sassicaia, the estate produces two further wines that reflect different facets of the Tenuta San Guido identity. Guidalberto, first released in 2000, blends Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, offering a more immediate, supple expression of Bolgheri while retaining the estate’s hallmark precision and structure. Le Difese combines Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese, bringing a vibrant Tuscan character and approachability to the portfolio. Together, they broaden the narrative of the estate, maintaining the same commitment to terroir and balance while offering distinct interpretations of this extraordinary coastal site.