Category: Tuscany Video

Tuscany – Ornellaia winery –

2002 Ornellaia, Bolgheri Superiore DOC, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia

One of the great Super-Tuscan estates, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia was founded in 1981 in what has proved to be one of Italy’s most interesting and expressive wine-making areas, the maritime hills of Bolgheri within the greater wine region of Maremma. Maremma is an extremely interesting sub region of Tuscany for food and wine lovers to visit. Although for centuries it was considered unfit for vineyards, in the past few decades this coastal area has become one of the most ultra exclusive wine producing regions of Italy. Ornellaia’s 97-hectare estate stretches out along the Tyrrhenian Sea, just north of the Maremma between Leghorn and the Island of Elba, and is the birthplace of the now-iconic wines Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, Masseto and Le Volte.

Founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, brother of the powerful and esteemed Piero Antinori, Ornellaia is not one of Tuscany’s most historic wineries, but it has become one of its most respected. Its success is due both to its staunch commitment to the philosophy of “quality without compromise” and to the unique climate and terrain here. While in some ways similar to Bordeaux’s, the estate’s terroir is truly something special; ever-changing and composite, it includes marine, alluvial and volcanic soils, allowing each grape variety to be planted in its ideal type of soil. Ornellaia enjoys some famous neighbors such as Sassicaia, one of the most legendary Tuscan estates. Sassicaia is owned (not coincidentally) by Antinori’s uncle, who made the first Super Tuscan and began the trend that continues today.

The estate’s signature wine, Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore, a Cabernet-Merlot blend, first stepped onto the scene in 1985. It’s been a collector’s favorite ever since, with all bottles being sold before the wine has even been made. Less expensive and exclusive, although also intriguing and complex, are wines like Le Volte (a Sangiovese-Cabernet-Sauvignon blend).

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia actually occupies two separate estates in Tuscany’s low, hilly coastal region. The original property, which Antinori inherited, is home to a stylish, clean-lined winery and 30 hectares of vineyards. Nearby is the second estate, Bellaria, with 46 hectares. Lodovico Antinori is no longer involved with the winery he founded; in 2002, the Mondavi winery of California acquired full ownership, and in 2005 Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi took over. Today, a young and enthusiastic team manages operations.

If you would like to visit Ornellaia´s winery as part of a luxury wine tour of the Maremma in Tuscany, contact us at info@planningatour.com

Scottish Wedding in Barga – Tuscany

Too Funny! A part of Scotland lives in Barga a very charming village 30 minutes driving far from Lucca.

Direction to Grotta del Vento

To don’t MiiiiiiiiSSSSSSSSS!!

Situated in the centre of the Apuan Alps’ Natural Park, this is one of the most complete European caves, presenting an extraordinary variety of phenomena which are outlined with competence and precision by expert speleological guides.

Following illuminated and easy-going trails, we can admire the many wonders of the underground world: from shining stalactites and stalagmites to polychrome flowstone, alabaster draperies, crystal-brimmed lakes, underground water-courses and bizarre forms of erosion.

There are three itineraries: the “first” (one hour) proceeds horizontally and is characterized throughout by splendid calcareous formations; the “second” (two hours), which also includes the first, visits a small underground river and its charmingly vast environment; the “third” (three hours) consents a complete visit of the cave and easily follows several perfectly vertical tracts.

The Wind Cave is open to the public every day of the year (excluding Christmas).
From April 1st to November 1st and on Sundays and public holidays of the remaining period, the times are as follows:

1st itinerary (one hour): 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
2nd itinerary (two hours): 11, 15, 16, 17
3rd itinerary (three hours, complete tour): 10, 14

On weekdays between November 2nd and March 31st only the 1st itinerary can be visited at the following times: 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

Internal cave temperature is of +10.7°C. (53°F.)

Bar facilities can be found next to the ticket office, as well as a large selection of minerals, fossils etc.