Tenuta Belguardo

The Marchesi Mazzei family has been inseparably linked to Tuscany and viticulture since the 11th century. Ser Lapo Mazzei was the author of a historical document in which the term "Chianti" was first mentioned. The Castello di Fonterutoli has been the ancestral seat since 1435 and is known to every lover of Italian wine. In the 1990s, the Mazzei family also acquired the Tenuta Belguardo, with 70 hectares of land in the hills between Grosseto and Montiano in the southernmost part of Tuscany, the Maremma.

After an elaborate and long analysis of the unique terroir on partly quite steep hills, which are foothills of extinct volcanoes and the Ore Mountains in the hinterland, it was decided to plant mainly autochthonous grape varieties such as Vermentino, Alicante and Sangiovese and only a few international vines such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah. 5,500 to 6,000 vines per hectare are relatively large in this region. The extremely good aeration of the Tyrrhenian Sea, only a few kilometres away, its light reflections and the low precipitation make it possible. The limestone and sandstone soils are mineral - the Etruscans already mined iron ore, silver and copper in the "Colline Metallifere Grossetane" of the mountains at the back. In freshly ploughed fields, the earth still shines a distinct reddish brown. The 34 hectares of vineyards lie between 50 and 180 metres above sea level and drop steeply to the south and southwest.

This influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the interplay of microclimate, light and soil enables the cultivation of a wide variety of vines. For this reason, many grape varieties are experimented with on newly acquired areas. One can be curious. The Marchesi Mazzei have achieved one thing in a very short time: to set new quality standards with the Tenuta Belguardo in the Maremma and to achieve the highest ratings in the region with their wines.

In addition to Castello di Fonterutoli and Tenuta Belguardo, the Zisola winery near Noto in southwestern Sicily belongs to the Mazzei family, where olive oil and citrus fruits are also cultivated. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Maremma branch of the Mazzei family gained general recognition, virtually in the form of a lightning action, thereby underpinning the already undisputed reputation of one of the most prestigious Italian wine houses."Gambero Rosso