Wine sea view
The most beautiful Tuscan wineries overlooking the sea
There are eight and they share a breathtaking view: Tuscan wineries that look out over the sea. For tasting a glass of excellent wine with the inebriating tang of salt water in your nostrils.
The Argentiera Estate is the DOC Bolgheri producer nearest to the sea. Its vineyards, overlook the sea and are completely surrounded by green Mediterranean scrub. This property is bordered by secular maritime pine trees and olives. The terrain comprises a variety of soils planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. The newly built cellar, designed to innovate the vinification processes without ruining the beauty of the surrounding area, is in perfect harmony with the lie of this high plain. Offering a 180° panorama that embraces part of the Gulf from Castiglioncello to Baratti, the site chosen is home to a brick building reminiscent of 18th century garrisons, with thick slightly sloping walls for correct heat regulation. Facing materials also fully respect Tuscan traditions, with terracotta, travertine and tiles providing the perfect match for an architectural style that features large arches and vaulted ceilings. The large wine production areas are located underground to make optimum use of the thermal conditions in the cellar.
Tenuta Monteti, owned by Paolo Baratta, is in the south of Maremma in the municipality of Capalbio, about 15km from the sea. This very new, yet promising, company is a good place to stop and enjoy a glass of Caburnio 2006 when visiting the area.
Another must-visit in the municipality of Massa Marittima is Fattoria Poggetti in Cura Nuova, owned by the Moris family, with its fabulous sea view. Wines up for tasting here are Avvoltore, an IGT red from Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, their Morellino with its bouquet of damp earth, humus, liquorice and sandalwood and the latest addition to the family, Scalabreto, a fairly unusual sweet wine made from Syrah and Montepulciano grapes.
We are at Poggio la Mozza, province of Grosseto. Kingdom of Val delle Rose. The immense area of 105 hectares under vine turns toward the sea. Here Sangiovese expresses warmth and body not denying his identity which makes it an ideal companion of Italian cuisine. Owned by Cecchi Winery since 1996, you can do tours and tastings.
Near Riparbella in the Pisa area, a little place called Serra dell’Olio is home to Caiarossa. This is the Val di Cecina, surrounded by the peace and quiet of nature and an unmade winding road hides the property from the view of passersby. Since 2004 it has belonged to Eric Albada Jelgersma, a Dutch gentleman with a passion for wine, who also owns estates in Margoux and Burgundy in France. His wines are the excellent result of the Steiner philosophy: red Pergolaia (Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Franc), white Caiarossa (Viognier, Chardonnay) and the sweet white Caiarossa Oro (all Petit Manseng grapes).
Biodynamic and eco-friendly choices for the young Duemani company belonging to Luca D’Attoma and Elena Celli, in Otrecavoli, after Riparbella heading towards Castellina Marittima. They produce three excellent wines: Duemani (Cabernet Franc 100%), Suisassi (Syrah 100%) and Altrovino (Merlot and Cabernet Franc).
Castello del Terriccio, in the place of the same name, municipality of Castellina Marittima, produces three red wines by the name of Lupicaia, Castello del Terriccio and Tassinaia, two whites Con Vento and Rondinaia, extra virgin olive oil and wheat (hard and tender), barley, oats, rye, maize and sunflowers. A very respectable company.
We take a detour and set sail for Elba, landing in Portoferraio. This is home to La Chiusa, an elegant eighteenth-century residence owned by Giuliana Bertozzi, where the surrounding vineyards reach right down to the sea. A spectacle of nature and fruit of man’s labours where you can even spend an unusual holiday in this bizarre period folly. Recommended wines: Elba Bianco with Trebbiano and Sauvignon grapes and Elba Ansonica Passito, entirely made from Ansonica grapes.
With the Apuan hills as the backdrop, the view from Fosdinovo includes of the River Magra, the coast, the sea and the wonderful gulf of La Spezia. Podere Lavandaro is located here in Via Castiglione, in the inter-regional DOC zone of Colli di Luni and top of products here is sweet white Canizzo (Vermentino, Trebbiano, Malvasia), followed by red Vignanera (Merlot, Canaiolo), and the DOC white Colli di Luni Vermentino.
