In the Bolgheri countryside, discover with me this beautiful winery, which is also a family story
Some time ago, I was invited to visit Tenuta di Vaira. I rarely manage to do tastings in the many wineries surrounding Suvereto and Val di Cornia because with children I prefer other activities. This time, however, my husband and I decided to bring the whole family, to let the children discover the beautiful territory around us, appreciating it from a different perspective (but don't worry, without letting them drink!). I couldn't have made a better choice. Tenuta di Vaira is a small jewel located in Bolgheri, cared for and managed with love, and the guided tour was truly engaging, so much so that even my children were fascinated by it.
Wine and the territory
Tenuta Di Vaira was founded in the early 1950s in the heart of the Bolgheri DOC, a perfect microclimate between the sea and the hills that represents the natural expression of the uniqueness of this territory. It was precisely the climate that for years had mistakenly led people to believe that wine could not be made in this area, but which instead proved to be its fortune. The saltiness brought by the sea, with the sea wind arriving 'slap-like' about 200 days a year, combined with rain for about 100 days a year, create a very humid microclimate, characterized by soil rich in mineral salts and iron (and famous for its artichokes).
As our guide pointed out,
"wine is the constant search for a balance between what man wants to do and what the territory allows to do"
At Tenuta di Vaira, the entire wine-making process, from the harvest (which takes place here in mid-August), the manual selection of grapes, bottling, and labeling, is done internally. Approximately 120,000 bottles are produced here annually, divided into 8 labels (3 young wines, 5 suitable for aging). The estate is family-run, which makes it very interesting because the passion, study, and research that Vincenzo, the founder, brought here represent for me the beauty and pride of being Italian, dedicating oneself to a cause, and enhancing a territory by taking care of it.
The Winery and the Tasting
The guided tour begins on the winery's terrace, continues in the garden in front of the vineyard, and then into the cellar where the fermentation processes take place. Finally, the tasting, which can be paired with a cheese board or bread and oil, is served in a beautiful room overlooking the vineyards. I really appreciated that markers and placemats were given to the children to draw on, allowing them to keep us company without getting bored.
Let's take a step back, before concluding the post, for a brief mention of the history of wines in the Bolgheri area. It is a fascinating and relatively recent history, considering the long Italian winemaking tradition. Bolgheri has achieved worldwide notoriety in recent decades thanks to the combination of a unique terroir and the vision of some wine pioneers.
In the 1940s and 1950s, few would have bet on the wine potential of this area. However, in 1944, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines at Tenuta San Guido, inspired by the great French Bordeaux wines. Success came in the 1970s, when his wine, Sassicaia, began to receive international recognition, bringing Bolgheri into the spotlight of the wine world.
The Bolgheri area is now renowned for the production of high-quality wines, particularly the so-called "Super Tuscans." These wines, often composed of international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, were an innovation for the Tuscan wine scene, which was traditionally dominated by indigenous varieties like Sangiovese.
The Tenuta di Vaira fits perfectly into this innovative tradition. Their attention to detail reflects a philosophy of respect for the territory and the quality of the final product. During the visit, it was evident how every phase of the production process is meticulously cared for, from the selection of grape varieties to winemaking, aging, and bottling.
Every wine produced here tells a story of passion and dedication, a commitment to keeping Bolgheri's winemaking traditions alive while experimenting with new techniques to continuously improve the quality of the wines. Tenuta di Vaira is not only a place of wine production but also an example of how agriculture can harmonize with the environment, preserving the beauty of the Tuscan landscape and contributing to its international fame.
Visiting Tenuta di Vaira was a very beautiful experience, not only for the quality of the wines tasted but also for the opportunity to see firsthand how passion and innovation can coexist in a context of great tradition. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of Bolgheri wine and territory.
Let's take a step back, before concluding the post, for a brief mention of the history of wines in the Bolgheri area. It is a fascinating and relatively recent history, considering the long Italian winemaking tradition. Bolgheri has achieved worldwide notoriety in recent decades thanks to the combination of a unique terroir and the vision of some wine pioneers.
In the 1940s and 1950s, few would have bet on the wine potential of this area. However, in 1944, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines at Tenuta San Guido, inspired by the great French Bordeaux wines. Success came in the 1970s, when his wine, Sassicaia, began to receive international recognition, bringing Bolgheri into the spotlight of the wine world.
The Bolgheri area is now renowned for the production of high-quality wines, particularly the so-called "Super Tuscans." These wines, often composed of international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, were an innovation for the Tuscan wine scene, which was traditionally dominated by indigenous varieties like Sangiovese.
The Tenuta di Vaira fits perfectly into this innovative tradition. Their attention to detail reflects a philosophy of respect for the territory and the quality of the final product. During the visit, it was evident how every phase of the production process is meticulously cared for, from the selection of grape varieties to winemaking, aging, and bottling.
Every wine produced here tells a story of passion and dedication, a commitment to keeping Bolgheri's winemaking traditions alive while experimenting with new techniques to continuously improve the quality of the wines. Tenuta di Vaira is not only a place of wine production but also an example of how agriculture can harmonize with the environment, preserving the beauty of the Tuscan landscape and contributing to its international fame.
Visiting Tenuta di Vaira was a very beautiful experience, not only for the quality of the wines tasted but also for the opportunity to see firsthand how passion and innovation can coexist in a context of great tradition. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of Bolgheri wine and territory.
