Tenuta di Ghizzano – Pisa, Tuscany

The hill-top hamlet of Ghizzano lies in the Pisan hills, close to the Tuscan coast. The Venerosi Pescolini family settled here in the late 14th Century and the estate now encompasses around 350ha with 20ha of vines. Vineyards sit within this gentle landscape at 200m above sea level and are blessed with a mild climate thanks to the maritime influence. Wine has been bottled since 1985, organically certified from 2008 and is moving in a biodynamic direction with concrete eggs a recent addition. The property is now in the hands of Ginevra Pescolini and her wines continue to gain almost annual Tre Bicchieri awards. As a part of her philosophy of ensuring the wines represent their location Ginevra has also been reducing the amount of new oak in her SuperTuscan creations. Natural yeasts, pressing under foot and a move to using larger format oak are also integral to the style of the wines.

Il Ghizzano Rosso is 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in open wooden vats for 12-14 days. The Veneroso is 70% Sangiovese & 30% Cabernet Sauvignon pressed by feet and fermented with indigenous yeasts in open 3000 lt wooden vats. The Nambrot is 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc & 20% Petit Verdot, harvested by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts in open wooden and concrete vats. The San Germano Passito is made from Trebbiano, Colombana and Malvasia Bianca. Hand harvested in late September and hung on stainless steel wires to dry, after four months the best grapes are pressed and put into 30 gallon oak barrels called ‘caratelli’, fermenting there for a further three years.