Between silver mines and the Tyrrhenian Sea
Tenuta Argentiera is located in the far south of the Bolgheri DOC, on the heights of Donoratico. No other winery in the appellation is closer to the sea. The name goes back to the Italian argento: in Etruscan times, there were silver mines and springs on the plateau. The land belongs to the historic Donoratico estate of the Florentine Serristori family, who acquired it in 1512.
Today's winery was established in 1999 by Florentine entrepreneurs of the Fratini family. Piero Antinori was involved as a partner and contributed his experience. The first vintage was released in 2004. In 2016, the Austrian entrepreneur Stanislaus Turnauer took over the estate. His stated goal: to respect the heritage and give the wines more international attention with an innovative approach.
Each parcel for itself: Work between pines and macchia
The vines grow on several sites, including Argentiera, Ginestre, Ventaglio, Porcarecce, and Ceccosodo, between 80 and 220 meters above sea level. The soils are sandy, calcareous, and stony; in Donoratico, red sands are added. Mediterranean macchia, maritime pines, and olive groves surround the vineyards, and a salty wind blows up from the sea.
The grapes are harvested and selected by hand. The harvested fruit reaches the tanks by gravity. Each parcel is harvested separately and vinified exclusively in stainless steel tanks so that the differences in the sites are preserved in the wine. Recycled or traditional materials such as terracotta and fired roof tiles were used for the cellar and buildings. The estate's guiding principle: to establish elegance and freshness in the vineyard and preserve them right into the bottle.
Bordeaux varieties with sea air: Red wines and Vermentino
The focus is on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petit Verdot. The flagship is the Bolgheri Superiore, a cuvée dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. The Villa Donoratico, a Bolgheri Rosso, is considered the estate's second wine. In the 2021 vintage, it consists of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot. The varieties are fermented separately in stainless steel tanks. The wine then matures for twelve months in 225-liter barriques made of French oak.
The soils and the maritime climate shape the style: the wines have structure and density, but appear fresh and mineral. In addition to the reds, the Vermentino “Scenario” is part of the assortment. It is the result of several years of experiments with the vinification and aging of this variety. If you want to get to know Bolgheri beyond the well-known coastal sites, you will find a producer here who combines power and freshness.
