Tenuta San Guido: The Home of Sassicaia and the Birthplace of the Super Tuscan
Few estates have changed the course of Italian wine like Tenuta San Guido. From its windswept coastal vineyards came Sassicaia, the wine that redefined Tuscany and placed Bolgheri on the world map. What began as one man’s experiment with Cabernet Sauvignon has become a story of vision, terroir, and timeless elegance.
A Coastal Estate Defined by Terroir
Set in the heart of Maremma on the Tuscan coast, Tenuta San Guido enjoys a landscape shaped by sea and hills. The Tyrrhenian Sea sends cool breezes inland, moderating summer heat and preserving freshness in the grapes, while the surrounding hills offer natural protection. This balance of light, warmth, and wind creates a rare microclimate, perfect for producing wines of depth and precision.
The estate spans 2,500 hectares, though just 90 are under vine, planted at altitudes ranging from 60 to 400 metres. The soils are strikingly varied, blending clay, limestone (Alberese and Gabbro), and gravelly stones reminiscent of Bordeaux’s Graves region. These stony, mineral-rich soils provide excellent drainage and structure, an ideal environment for Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
A Visionary Beginning
Tenuta San Guido’s story began in 1944 when Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta saw in Bolgheri the same potential he admired in Bordeaux. His vision was unconventional for the time: to plant Cabernet Sauvignon in Tuscany, a region dominated by Sangiovese. Guided by a belief in the land’s promise, he planted his first vines on the estate’s rocky slopes.
For years, the wine remained a private treasure shared only among family and friends. It was not until the encouragement of Nicolò and Piero Antinori that the Marchese agreed to release it commercially in 1971. With the expertise of winemaker Giacomo Tachis, Sassicaia’s style was refined into something extraordinary, an elegant, structured wine that rivalled the best of Bordeaux.
Sassicaia: A Legend is Born
The name “Sassicaia” means “place of many stones”, a tribute to the gravelly soils that define its vineyards. The first official vintage in 1968 marked a turning point in Italian wine history. In 1978, Sassicaia stunned the world by triumphing in a Decanter blind tasting against top Bordeaux chateaux, signalling Italy’s arrival on the fine wine stage.
Composed mainly of Cabernet Sauvignon (around 85%) with Cabernet Franc (15%), Sassicaia is known for its grace and longevity. Notes of blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and subtle spice evolve beautifully over time. The wine matures for about 24 months in French oak barriques and rests further in bottle before release, ensuring harmony and depth.
In 1994, Sassicaia achieved a historic milestone when it became the only single wine in Italy granted its own appellation, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC. Today, it stands among the world’s most collectible wines, admired for its poise, elegance, and unmistakable sense of place.
Wines Produced by Tenuta San Guido
Tenuta San Guido produces three wines, each reflecting the estate’s philosophy of purity, balance, and respect for the land.
Sassicaia – The flagship wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, offering refinement, longevity, and exceptional depth.
Guidalberto – Introduced in 2000, Guidalberto blends Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot to deliver a more approachable expression of Bolgheri’s style. It retains the estate’s hallmark balance and elegance while being ready to enjoy earlier.
Le Difese – A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, crafted for earlier drinking. It offers bright fruit, soft tannins, and a lively, modern character that still reflects Tenuta San Guido’s terroir-driven precision.
Together, these wines express the full spectrum of Bolgheri, from youthful energy to profound sophistication.
Legacy and Philosophy
Today, under the guidance of Nicolo Incisa della Rocchetta, Tenuta San Guido continues its founder’s mission to express the beauty of Bolgheri through authenticity and restraint. The estate’s practices remain rooted in sustainability, low-intervention winemaking, and an unwavering respect for nature.
Tenuta San Guido’s influence reaches far beyond Tuscany. Sassicaia inspired an entire generation of winemakers to think beyond regional boundaries, giving rise to the Super Tuscan movement that changed Italy’s wine identity forever.
Each bottle from Tenuta San Guido tells a story of courage and place, a meeting of the sea, the stones, and a visionary spirit that continues to shape the world of fine wine.