An iconic estate of Bolgheri, Tenuta San Guido gave birth to Sassicaia, a refined, saline and age-worthy Tuscan Cabernet that reshaped the history of Italian wine.

Tenuta San Guido — Sassicaia, the founding icon of Bolgheri

Tenuta San Guido is one of Italy’s most emblematic estates. Located in Bolgheri, on Tuscany’s Tyrrhenian coast, the property is inseparable from Sassicaia, the founding wine of the Super Tuscan movement and one of the great age-worthy reds of Italy.

Born from the intuition of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, Sassicaia proved that Bordeaux varieties could find a deeply original expression in Bolgheri. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, stony soils, Mediterranean light and sea breezes come together in a wine that is structured, elegant and unmistakably Tuscan.

History

The story of Sassicaia began in the 1940s, when Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in Bolgheri. At a time when Tuscany was still strongly associated with Sangiovese, this intuition was both bold and deeply innovative.

Long reserved for the family, Sassicaia was first released commercially in 1971 with the 1968 vintage. Its international recognition established Bolgheri as one of Italy’s great wine regions and paved the way for an entire generation of Tuscan wines inspired by Bordeaux varieties.

Terroir

Tenuta San Guido is located in Bolgheri, in an environment shaped by the proximity of the sea, Mediterranean luminosity and particularly well-draining soils. The name Sassicaia comes from sasso, meaning stone, in reference to the gravelly, stony soils that characterise the estate’s finest parcels.

Breezes from the Tyrrhenian coast moderate summer heat and encourage a gradual ripening of the grapes. This maritime influence allows the Cabernets to retain freshness, fine tannins and length, even in warmer vintages.

Viticulture and vinification

The vineyards are managed with close attention to soil balance, biodiversity and the quality of each parcel. Harvesting is carried out at precise ripeness, with rigorous selection of the grapes destined for the final blend.

The lots are vinified separately in order to preserve the nuances of the terroir. Macerations aim for measured extraction, followed by ageing in French oak barrels and further refinement in bottle. The oak supports the wine’s structure without masking its fruit, freshness or coastal identity.

Wine style

Sassicaia is defined by balance: power without excess, depth without heaviness, structure without austerity. Cabernet Sauvignon brings blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, tannic line and ageing capacity; Cabernet Franc adds finesse, freshness and aromatic lift.

In youth, Sassicaia expresses blackberry, black cherry, Mediterranean herbs, blond tobacco and balsamic notes. With age, the finest bottles develop nuances of fine leather, undergrowth, discreet truffle, incense, liquorice and a long saline finish.

Emblematic cuvées

Cellaring and food pairings

Sassicaia is among the Italian wines capable of evolving for several decades in great vintages. Cellaring allows it to gain complexity, finesse and tertiary nuance while preserving the freshness that defines Bolgheri.

It pairs naturally with noble meats, aged beef, roast lamb, veal, delicate game, mushrooms, truffle, mature cheeses and dishes scented with Mediterranean herbs. Its saline freshness and fine tannins also allow it to work beautifully with refined Italian cuisine.

Current selection

Discover our selection of Tenuta San Guido wines, subject to availability: Sassicaia, Guidalberto, Le Difese, mature vintages, great years and bottles sought after by lovers of fine Italian wines from Bolgheri.