Winetrip Italië - Super Tuscans - Sassicaia

Tenuta San Guido: Meet the legandary Sassicaia

Sometimes everything comes together: history, passion, a magical setting, and of course... the perfect wine. Recently, I was able to cross a long-held dream off my bucket list: a visit to Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri. This is the place where the Italian wine world changed forever and where the very first ‘Super Tuscan’ was born.

De Revolution of the Marchese

The story of Tenuta San Guido reads like a thrilling book. In the 1960s, when Tuscany was still entirely under the spell of the Sangiovese grape, Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta dared to do the unthinkable. He noticed that the gravel-rich soils of his estate looked suspiciously similar to the soils of the Graves in Bordeaux.

Against all rules, he planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The rest is history: Sassicaia was born. What started as a 'rebellious' wine that broke the rules grew into a global icon with a completely unique status: it is the only winery in Italy with its own dedicated DOC (Bolgheri Sassicaia).

Dinner under the Toscan Stars

Here is the translation into English:

The evening was just as stylish as the wine itself. In the beautiful garden of Osteria San Guido, surrounded by the characteristic cypresses and sprawling vineyards, we enjoyed a refined dinner. In between the homemade pastas and local specialties, we tasted the three gems of the estate:

• Le Difese 2023: The lively and approachable introduction, supple and fruity.

• Guidalberto 2023: Often called the 'little brother' of Sassicaia, but by now a greatness in its own right. Elegant, with a beautiful structure.

• Sassicaia 2022: The absolute highlight. Although still young, its potential is overwhelming. Powerful, mineral, perfectly structured, and already full of promise. A wine that forces you to take a moment of silence.

What made this evening extra special? My loyal travel companion Finn was there (yes, the joy of wine is meant to be shared!), and of course, my 'partner in crime' Rob got to enjoy this unforgettable experience as well.

De Magic end: Muffato della Sala

Just when we thought the evening couldn't get any better, the surprise of the day arrived with dessert. We tasted the Muffato della Sala 2022 from Antinori. A beautiful dessert wine made from grapes with botrytis cinerea (noble rot).

This wine from Umbria is a masterpiece of balance: rich notes of honey, orange peel, and saffron, but with a razor-sharp freshness that brings everything into harmony. A magical finale to an evening that will be etched in my memory forever.

Terroir, Art and Emotion

A visit to Tenuta San Guido makes you realize what wine is truly about. It is not just juice in a bottle; it is the vision of a pioneer, the power of the soil, and the craftsmanship of generations.