5. The Etruscan Coast "Bolgheri" - mini Bordeaux of Italy

Bolgheri is the name a small village, lined by a splendid avenue of cypresses, as described by the famous Italian poet Carducci - a poem taught in school to every Italian child.
The town has given its name to this already very famous wine region where the Italians have proved to us all that it can produce Cabernets and Merlots of world class. First the region became known with the Sassicaia wine - a blend of Cabernets - then with the Grattamacco and Ornellaia estates. It is now the home of Tuscany's most prestigious Super Tuscans.

This coastal wine region now referred to as Bolgheri grows mostly French grape varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot). In the past the wineries had to classify these wines as table wines (vino da tavola) as they had no place with the government protection of traditional grape varietals or wine making practices. These wines huge success and world recognition have forced them to be recognized by the State with the denominations Bolgheri DOC and Sassicaia DOC - quite a victory for the people who started out wine making in an area that seemingly no one else would have believed in.

Bolgheri is now almost an exclusive sea-side club full of boutique wine producers, including important names such as Antinori, Gaja, Frescobaldi, Cavallari, Michele Satta, etc.

N.B. Very important: This is a custom excursion and should be booked very well in advance as the entrance to most of these wineries must be booked far ahead.

On this one day excursion, two visits to some of the most important wineries will be organized, such as:
Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia, Guidalberto),Tenuta dell'Ornellaia (Masseto, Ornellaia), Grattamacco, Tua Rita (Redigaffi), Michele Satta (Piastraia), Le Macchiole (Paleo, Messorio)
See a map of this region