Sapaio

In Castagneto Carducci, in the heart of the Bolgheri area, so famous for its great red wines from Bordelaise blends, Podere Sapaio offers interpretations that reflect the personality and vision of Massimo Piccin, an engineer from Veneto who in 1999 decided to invest in the wine world by founding the winery and entrusting its production to Carlo Ferrini, one of Italy's best-known oenologists. In this characteristic landscape composed of cypresses, hills and pine forests, Podere Sapaio bases its production philosophy on two pivotal concepts: respect for the land and sustainability. The estate's name derives from an ancient Tuscan grape variety called Sapaia and was chosen to highlight the strong link with the land that guides its production. Instead, the crown depicted on the label represents a "tribute to the nobility of the wine and the precious work of the winemakers in the vineyard and cellar."

The estate, now certified organic, has 40 hectares of land, 26 of which are devoted to vineyards. Of these, 16 hectares are located in Bolgheri on clay-limestone and sandy soils, while the remaining 10 are near the town of Bibbona, outside the geographical limits of the Bolgheri area, on soils composed of red clay rich in stones and pebbles. The varieties grown are typical Bordeaux varieties, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. In the Podere's vision, work in the vineyard must constitute a harmonious symbiosis between man and nature. Consequently, all agronomic operations are carried out strictly by hand, with careful sorting of the bunches of grapes during the harvest. The musts remain in contact with the pomace for long periods, and the resulting aging takes place in French oak barriques and tonneaux.

Only two labels are produced by Podere Sapaio: Toscana IGT 'Sapaio', the winery's flagship wine, and Bolgheri DOC 'Volpolo'. The former is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, while the latter consists of a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. With their class and important but balanced structure, Podere Sapaio's wines have not struggled to establish themselves in a short time in the prestigious wine scene of the area.