Tenuta Belguardo

BELGUARDO V - The first DOC Maremma Toscana Vermentino Superiore

October 2023_Following years of research and experimentation with the Maremma Toscana Vermentino, Belguardo V was developed, a cru that, thanks to a selective harvest and signature vinification, “looks to the future” with confidence.

Belguardo V Vermentino Superiore Maremma Toscana DOC is the outcome of a project begun in 2008 by the Mazzei family on their estate. Located in this extraordinary part of Tuscany, it is making a name for itself as one of the most dynamic winemaking zones in Italy.

This single-varietal wine, from four Vermentino clones – two from Corsica and two from Sardinia – begins its life on medium-textured, abundantly rocky soil rich in sandstone. Just 10 km from the sea, it benefits from favorable breezes unhindered by barriers. Hand-harvested at the height of their maturity, the grapes follow a complex but natural vinification process with lengthy maceration that enhances the influence of the terroir. Indeed, 50% of the grapes are macerated on the skins for six months, primarily in amphoras, producing high extract that translates to great structure and rich golden color. The other 50% of the grapes are matured on the lees with weekly bâtonnage to exalt aromas and smoothness. The result is a wine that marries the most noble identifying characteristics of the Vermentino: full-flavor, minerality, complexity and longevity.

“The Maremma is an extraordinary area, known for its pristine natural beauty and, in my opinion, it also has all the attributes to produce great wines,” explains Francesco Mazzei. “Over the years, I have become convinced that one of the most significant markers of this promising appellation is the Vermentino. A coastal grape variety that in the Maremma has found its natural habitat, with different expressive personalities depending on the terrain, altitude and distance from the coast. I wholeheartedly believe that, thanks to its complex personality and longevity, the Maremma Vermentino can aspire to comparison to the great whites and reds of the world.”

TENUTA BELGUARDO

Tenuta Belguardo is the Mazzei family’s enological project in Maremma Toscana – a winemaking journey centered around great reds from blends of local and international grapes, on two whites based on Vermentino and a rosé. Acquired in 1997, the estate is situated between Grosseto and Montiano, above the Parco Naturale dell‘Uccellina. A truly special terroir, with a unique microclimate, tempered by Tyrrhenian Sea breezes, all valuable qualities the Mazzei family identified through lengthy, painstaking investigation. In pursuing the project, Francesco and Filippo Mazzei searched for an estate that would allow the great Bordeaux blends the utmost expression, but would also maximize the indigenous varieties. After the acquisition, the Mazzei family immediately began intensive replanting of the grape varieties, selecting the most suitable clones for the various characteristics of the terroir. Inspired by the panoramic position, the name Belguardo means “beautiful view”. The complex, varied natural attributes of the estate are ideally expressed by the star dodecahedron (Icosahedron Elevatus) chosen as its symbol. Designed by Leonardo da Vinci for «De Divina Proportione», written by Fra Luca Pacioli in 1497, this figure represents the complexity, precision and prospects of the elements, exactly as the Belguardo wines aspire to. For years, Filippo and Francesco Mazzei have put into practice a sustainable management plan for the estate’s agricultural activities with the aim of ensuring the stability of the ecosystem and its biodiversity at Belguardo as well as at its other two Estates: Castello di Fonterutoli (Chianti Classico) and Zisola (Sicily).

Tenuta Belguardo is the Mazzei family’s enological project in Maremma Toscana – a winemaking journey centered around great reds from blends of local and international grapes, on two whites based on Vermentino and a rosé. Acquired in 1997, the estate is situated between Grosseto and Montiano, above the Parco Naturale dell‘Uccellina. A truly special terroir, with a unique microclimate, tempered by Tyrrhenian Sea breezes, all valuable qualities the Mazzei family identified through lengthy, painstaking investigation. In pursuing the project, Francesco and Filippo Mazzei searched for an estate that would allow the great Bordeaux blends the utmost expression, but would also maximize the indigenous varieties.

After the acquisition, the Mazzei family immediately began intensive replanting of the grape varieties, selecting the most suitable clones for the various characteristics of the terroir. Inspired by the panoramic position, the name Belguardo means “beautiful view”. The complex, varied natural attributes of the estate are ideally expressed by the star dodecahedron (Icosahedron Elevatus) chosen as its symbol. Designed by Leonardo da Vinci for «De Divina Proportione», written by Fra Luca Pacioli in 1497, this figure represents the complexity, precision and prospects of the elements, exactly as the Belguardo wines aspire to. For years, Filippo and Francesco Mazzei have put into practice a sustainable management plan for the estate’s agricultural activities with the aim of ensuring the stability of the ecosystem and its biodiversity at Belguardo as well as at its other two Estates: Castello di Fonterutoli (Chianti Classico) and Zisola (Sicily).

The property is provided with 34 ha of planted local vines such as Sangiovese, Alicante, and Vermentino, international vines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and others are presently being developed experimentally, with plant density of between 5500 to 6600 plants per hectare.
The entire area, located at an average height of 50-180 m above sea level, has South/South-West exposure and slopes that vary from 10% to 19%. The soil is characterized by rich structure with Albarese and sandstone rock, and texture that varies from medium mix with good water retention capacity, to light sandy provided with high draining capacity.

The micro climate is strongly influenced by the vicinity to the sea, with strong thermal currents in particular during Spring and Summer; it is characterized by low humidity, less rain than the average in the area and a high rate of evaporation and plant transpiration.
This diverse combination of soil-climate conditions allows for the cultivation of quite different grapes, yielding wines with high complexity and concentration, but also extraordinarily elegant and aromatic; so much so that Belguardo was able to establish itself as one of the reference standards of the Maremma.