The Bolgheri DOC is located within the municipality of Castagneto Carducci, in Tuscany, in the province of Livorno. This appellation enjoys worldwide renown as the birthplace of the so-called Super Tuscans—wines produced in Tuscany using international grape varieties. In fact, under the Bolgheri DOC production regulations, the grape varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc may be used in proportions ranging from 0 to 100%.

 

Here, nestled between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Metalliferous Hills, French grapes have found an ideal home for producing red wines of great elegance and remarkable longevity. There are many reasons why international grapes have found their natural setting here: the richness and extreme variability of the soils; the presence of the sea, which reflects the sun’s rays; the layout  of the surrounding islands, which together channel marine breezes and keep the area consistently well ventilated; and the chain of hills formed by the Metalliferous Hills, which encircle the entire appellation, creating an isolated yet complex ecosystem thanks to the abundant presence of forests.

 

Within this natural amphitheater that is the Bolgheri DOC, PietraNova extends over 15 hectares at the foot of the Castagneto Carducci hill, in the southern part of the appellation. Five hectares planted with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon give rise to the outstanding PietraNova wines, while 1,500 olive trees of the Leccino, Moraiolo, and Frantoio varieties produce an extra virgin olive oil with a characteristically Tuscan spicy note.

The estate lies at 55 meters above sea level and is just 4 km from the coast, allowing marine winds—present here around 250 days a year—to reach the grapes without obstruction. Moreover, all the rows at PietraNova are laid out perpendicular to the coastline, enabling sea breezes to run along the rows and gently caress each bunch. The soils are predominantly sandy-silty, with some clay and gravelly bands. They are loose and deep, therefore well-draining and well-aerated: water can easily penetrate the soil and accumulate in the deeper layers, where water and nutrients are abundant. At the same time, with soils of this type, vine roots can expand many meters deep before encountering bedrock, allowing easy access to water and nutrients, as well as thermal insulation during frosts or periods of extreme heat.