Ornellaia Le Volte 2022 Toscana IGT

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is one of Italy’s most prestigious wine estates and a foundational pioneer of the modern Bolgheri wine region.

Established in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, the estate was inspired by the success of neighboring Sassicaia. Antinori recognized that the warm, maritime coastal region of Bolgheri had world-class potential for French Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot). The first vintage was 1985 (released in 1988).

In 1999, California icon Robert Mondavi acquired a stake, eventually taking full ownership in 2002 before partnering with the Florentine noble family Marchesi Frescobaldi. In 2005, the estate was fully acquired and managed by the Frescobaldi family, winemakers with a 700-year history in Tuscany.

The vineyards are situated between the Tyrrhenian Sea (4 km to the west) and the coastal hills. Mediterranean light and sea breezes cool the vines in summer, preventing overheating and maintaining natural freshness and acidity.

The soils form a highly complex patchwork across over 50 individual parcels. Soil types range from marine sediment, sand, and gravel to heavy clay and limestone pebbles, offering ideal micro-terroirs for each specific grape variety.

Every single vineyard plot (~50 parcels across the estate) is harvested, sorted, and vinified completely separately to express its individual identity.

All grapes are harvested entirely by hand into small 15 kg crates to prevent crushing before arriving at the cellar.

The harvest passes through a manual sorting table to inspect whole clusters, followed by an automated optical sorter that inspects each individual berry, eliminating anything less than pristine quality.

This wine’s blend consists of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. The different grape varieties were fermented separately in small stainless steel tanks. This step preserves the individual character and varietal traits of each lot. Malolactic fermentation is completed entirely in stainless steel tanks to maintain aromatic freshness and clean fruit expression. The wine ages for 10 months prior to bottling. Aging takes place partly in barriques previously used for Ornellaia (second- or third-use oak barrels) and partly in concrete tanks. This dual-aging approach balances the structure and subtle oak influence with vibrant, crunchy fruit character and soft tannins.