Tenuta del Nicchio is latest venture of the legendary Marchese Lodovico Antinori, together with his daughter, Sophia Antinori. The Antinori are literally Tuscan royalty, and they can trace their involvement in producing wine back twenty six generations, to at least the year 1385. They have had a profound impact on Italian wine--what it is and can be, and how it is perceived and received around the world.
Tenuta del Nicchio, founded in 2018, is a desire to get back to something more on a human scale, something that Lodovico felt he and Sophia could manage together and keep small. In fact, he insists that Sophia keep it small so that she can maintain control of all aspects, and even made her sign a father-daughter pact on the matter! It is a culmination of decades of experience in these lands, drawing from twelve hectares of vineyards in four distinct townships of the Upper Maremma: Bolgheri, Bibbona, Castagneto Carducci, and Sassetta. The vineyards are isolated, surrounded by woods, and were presciently planted facing north. They range from one to three hectares in size.
The focus is Cabernet Franc, which has emerged as the most important and expressive variety of this area. It's also the most capricious, which the Marchese points out will keep it interesting to only a few specialists, only the most maniacal viticulturists and winemakers looking to do something great. The first vintage of the flagship Il Nicchio was 2020, sold to only two US retailers. The gorgeous 2021 is its first full-scale debut. Tenuta del Nicchio is inspired by a new idea of elegance: lighter, less alcoholic, modern wines, in tune with current tastes, but faithful to a tradition of excellence, never losing sight of the centrality of the raw materials
Tenuta del Nicchio, founded in 2018, is a desire to get back to something more on a human scale, something that Lodovico felt he and Sophia could manage together and keep small. In fact, he insists that Sophia keep it small so that she can maintain control of all aspects, and even made her sign a father-daughter pact on the matter! It is a culmination of decades of experience in these lands, drawing from twelve hectares of vineyards in four distinct townships of the Upper Maremma: Bolgheri, Bibbona, Castagneto Carducci, and Sassetta. The vineyards are isolated, surrounded by woods, and were presciently planted facing north. They range from one to three hectares in size.
The focus is Cabernet Franc, which has emerged as the most important and expressive variety of this area. It's also the most capricious, which the Marchese points out will keep it interesting to only a few specialists, only the most maniacal viticulturists and winemakers looking to do something great. The first vintage of the flagship Il Nicchio was 2020, sold to only two US retailers. The gorgeous 2021 is its first full-scale debut. Tenuta del Nicchio is inspired by a new idea of elegance: lighter, less alcoholic, modern wines, in tune with current tastes, but faithful to a tradition of excellence, never losing sight of the centrality of the raw materials
