Winery of the Month 

                                            December 2008
 

Within the twenty regions of Italy lay hundreds of outstanding wineries. Each month we will highlight one winery that we feel represent their region the best through the wine they produce.

Winery name:  Antinori   

Founder: Giovanni di Pietro Antinori

Owners name: Antinori Family - Marchese Piero Antinori

Established: 1385 - 26 Generations in business

Total production: 18,000,000 Bottles

Region: Tuscany

Province: Florence 

Wine maker: Renzo Cotarella

Wines produced:

Italy  - Antinori

Solaia, Tignanello, Badia A Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva, Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva, Peppoli Chianti Classico, Villa Antinori Rosso Toscana, Villa Antinori Bianco Toscana, Santa Cristina Toscana, Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore, Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio, Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore, Vermentino Bolgheri, Scalabrone Bolgheri Rosato, Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino, Achelo Cortona,Bramasole Cortona,Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Cervaro della Sala Umbria, Bramito del Cervo Umbria, Conte della Viper Umbria, Muffato della Sala Umbria, Campogrande Orvieto Classico, Tormaresca Chardonnay Puglia, Tormaresca Neprica Puglia, Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo Salento, Masseria Maime Negromara Salento, Tomaresca Bocca di Lupo Castel del Monte, Montenisa Franciacorta.

Chile - Vina Haras de Pirque

Albis, Haras de Pirque Elegance Cabernet Sauvignon, Haras Pique Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Haras de Pique Estate Chardonnay, Haras de Pirque Estate Sauvignon Blanc. 

United States 

California, Napa Valley

Antica Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Antica Napa Valley Chardonnay

Washington State - Collaboration between Chateau Ste. Michelle and Marchese Piero Antinori

Col Solare 

 A quick note on Tignanello:

(85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc)

Tignaello was the first Sangiovese base wine to be aged in barriques, the first to blend non-traitional varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the first not to use white grapes and may soley be responsible for putting Italian wines back on the international stage. The rich body, subtle texture and fine ripe tannins are typical for this wine of great finesse. The wine is aged in barriques for 14 months and then is bottle aged for an additional 12 month. The aromas of licorice, dried flowers and current lead into a full-bodied wine with a palate of berries, licorice and dried flowers. The tannins are very elegant with a long lasting layered finish. This wine is a quintessential expression of the land and pure wine making skills. Perfection at its best. This wine has extraordinary aging potential and belongs in everyone's cellar with a selection of other Antinori gems.

Wine awards:  The Antinori  wines have to many awards to list . Visit their web-site

Cellar capacity:  

Wines exported to:  markets world wide

Future products: NA

Other products produced: Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic 

Total size of vineyards:

Website:  www.antinori.it

   Brief Overview

The Antinori family have lived in Florence since the early 13th century when they moved there from Calenzano, a small town between Florence and Prato, where their presence was recorded as far back as 1188. The family was also registered with the Guild of Silk Weavers since 1285 and later with the Guild of Bankers. The Antinori's were also wine producers and merchants, and it was the wine business that became their main focusover time: Giovanni di Piero Antinori registered with the Guild of Winemakers in 1385 . Production and sales of wine became increasingly important for the family and by the 16 th century they were known  throughout europe.
Wine remained the family's main passion and activity and in 1898 “ Fattoria dei Marchesi Lodovico e Piero Antinori ” was founded, the property and farms were transformed into one of the most modern wineries of their time.The business was run by the two sons of Marchese Niccolò - a direct descendent of  Niccolò who purchased Palazzo Antinori in 1506 – who had already devoted a good deal of time to making great Tuscan wines .

                    26 generations of Antinori history: