The story of Castello Del Terriccio dates back over 1000 years to the days when the Etruscans dominated the rolling hills of Tuscany. Though an agricultural estate for much of its history, the focus specifically on wine came in the 1970s and 80s when Gian Annibale Rossi di Medelana inherited the expansive estate and became dedicated to crafting exceptional wines filled with Italian character honoring the property’s history and beauty. The vast Tuscan estate, covering over 3700 acres (of which just over 160 are devoted to vineyards), sits nestled near Bolgheri on the northern border of Maremma. Soils are filled with sand, silt, and gravel with a variety of minerals, including iron and copper, giving power and energy to the wines, and vineyards enjoy a very long growing season thanks to the influence of the Mediterranean Sea, with cooling sea breezes blowing through the vineyards daily.

Though Tuscany is known for Sangiovese in general, this part of Tuscany shines with more international varieties, particularly Bordeaux reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, thus creating the impressive Super Tuscan blends the winery is celebrated for.

Blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Tassinaia ($35) is dense, rich, and bold, melding flavors of dried tobacco and leather with expressive ripe blackberry, boysenberry, and black plum. Named after a farmhouse nestled on a hill on the estate called “Le Tassinaie,” meaning “the place of the stones,” the woody herb, crushed stone, toasted cedar, and spice-filled wine is broad and expansive with freshness and structured tannin, providing balance with concentration and character. Allow the wine to open a bit before enjoying, and pair with bolognese or slow-roasted beef stew. #cheers