Vineyards

Location

Tenuta Campo di Sasso is located in Bibbona, north of and bordering the Bolgheri region in Alta Maremma, near the Tyrrhenian Sea. Further enhancing its location is its neighbor, the Macchia della Magona, a nature preserve under the protection of the forestry service, which includes more than 90.6 square kilometers (35 square miles) of pristine land.

Site

Tenuta Campo di Sasso is comprised of 68 planted hectares (168 acres), divided into several vineyard parcels in three distinct locations. Elevations range from 70 to 100 meters (230 to 330 feet). Locations for the varieties grown in each parcel were selected based on slope, soil composition, exposure and influence of the sea breeze.

Climate

Bibbona has a temperate climate with a typical variation of only 10 to 15 degrees difference between day and night during the growing season and 15 to 20 degrees during harvest. There is little rainfall from budding to harvest, with only gentle winds that come mainly off the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea. The microclimate of the estate has a perfect combination of exposure to sea breezes and optimum sunlight due to the western exposure, all the while being sheltered from strong wind.

Viticulture

Tenuta Campo di Sasso is one of the best-researched vineyard sites in Italy. Over a period of several years, the Antinoris employed soil specialists to develop intricate soil research reports, parcel by parcel. The results of these reports combined with the outstanding topography and microclimates were found to be ideal for cultivating classical Bordeaux grape varieties. As a result, the estate was divided into parcels to achieve the optimum conditions for each varietal:

• Higher-density, maritime sediment and clay soil on well-sheltered, northwest-facing slopes at lower elevations is ideal for Merlot to achieve the generous ripe cherry and dark fruit characters.
• The free-draining gravelly silt in upper parcels suit Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, allowing these grapes to reach full tannin ripeness.
• Petit Verdot, a late-ripening variety, is planted exclusively on upper parcels with maximum daily sun exposure, well-drained soil and good ventilation.
• Syrah, which thrives under warm, dry conditions, is planted in the warmest sites on the property with well-drained, sandy soil.
• The remaining parcels of Bordeaux varietals dedicated to Insoglio have soil consisting of clay and Bolgheri conglomerate.

Row orientation in all the parcels is east to west to allow the sea breezes to aerate the vines, keeping them clean and dry. The vines were planted between 2002 and 2008 using high-density spacing of 6,500 vines per hectare (2,600 vines per acre); they are trained using unilateral cordon and are spur pruned.