Argentiera
Tenuta Argentiera stands in a magnificent patch of land in the Maremma that blends countryside and sea, suspended between woods and Mediterranean scrub. The Argentiera estate covers 75 hectares of breathtakingly beautiful Tuscan coast, approximately 100 km southwest of Florence. In the prestigious DOC of Bolgheri, Argentiera is the estate closest to the sea and also highest in altitude, making the land and microclimate especially well-suited to growing incredible red grapes. The estate is considered among the most beautiful in Italy, with its spectacular view of the islands of the Tuscan archipelago.
As one example of their recent achievements, they were awarded 99 points by James Suckling for their Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore 2015.
Tenuta Argentiera lies on the ancient Donoratico Estate. Formerly the summer home of the notable Serristori family of Florence, the estate is now owned by the Fratini brothers who have made significant investments in the vineyards, winery and cellars over the past decade. Originally the site of precious metal deposits, Argentiera derives its name from the Italian noun “Argento”, or silver. This minerality that permeates the variety of soils on the estate is characteristically present in the wines. Argentiera has been crafting wonderful wines for over a decade, however it was only with their first Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri award did they start garnering the praise they deserve.
The Argentiera Estate spans over 500 hectares, but only a scant 75 are dedicated to vineyards. All of the estate’s plantings lie within the broad Bolgheri DOC. Their soils range from calcareous and stony to sandy to mineral and pebbly, lending complexity to the Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah. The vineyards are surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and the countryside is flush with maritime pines and olive tree groves. Argentiera has five main vineyard sites, ranging in elevation from 80-220 meters above sea level: Argentiera, Ginestre, Ventaglio, Porcarecce, and Ceccosodo. Every plot is harvested and vinified separately, exclusively in stainless steel, to preserve the character and fruity complexity lent by terroir variations. The wineries and cellars themselves are made of recycled or traditional materials such as terracotta and baked roofing tiles.
The Argentiera winery is state of the art. The entire process begins at ground level and as the cellar extends down into the earth, the process continues entirely by gravity. Wines are fermented in stainless steel and then aged in French Oak barrique of varying toasts and age levels.
