TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA

Tenuta Dell'Ornellaia was given new life in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, after being neglected for decades. Together with agronomist, Andre Tchelistcheff, they planted the first French vines in Bolgheri. This was in the heart of Tuscany's costal region, Maremma. Sagniovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grape varieties are all grown on the estate. The estate is currently owned by Marchesi de'Frescobaldi and the production philosophy of the Estate is focused on one objective: quality.

Axel Heinz

Axel Heinz (French mother, German father) studied in Bordeaux and cut his teeth in Pomerol, before he was offered the job of senior winemaker at Ornellaia in 2005. The fourth enologist to accept a position at the property, his predecessor was Thomas Duroux, now overseeing winemaking at Château Palmer. After his 15th vintage, Heinz describes Ornellaia as: "More immediate, opulent and extrovert than, say, a typical Medoc, but with the necessary freshness and balance that is essential for any fine wine to age." Wine writer Antonio Galloni agrees; he awarded the 2006 vintage of Ornellaia 97 points, describing it as "magnificent".