Story: Rocca di Frassinello | Tuscany
Page: 1/1

Rocca di Frassinello - Where culture, history, and viticulture converge
In the heart of the Maremma, between Bolgheri and Scansano, stands Rocca di Frassinello, a winery that is much more than just a place of wine production. Visitors can expect a journey through time and the senses: from the visionary architecture of the winery designed by Renzo Piano to the exhibition Gli Etruschi e il Vino, which documents the region's millennia-old wine tradition, to contemporary art with David LaChapelle's work Rapture of the Grape. A stay in the guest rooms of the Foresteria rounds off the experience and allows you to experience wine production from vine to bottle up close - nestled in the unspoiled nature of the Tuscan hills.

The birth of an extraordinary partnership
The Rocca di Frassinello project was born from a clear vision: to transfer the excellence of Castellare di Castellina to a new, unique terroir. The choice fell on the Maremma, whose soils are a natural continuation of Chianti and Montalcino, but characterized by a warmer climate. This allows the grapes to ripen earlier and develop an intense aromatic expression. In this ideal location, the first and to date only Italian-French joint venture in viticulture was created: a collaboration between Castellare and Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite. It combines Tuscan expertise in Sangiovese with French know-how in international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz.

Vineyards with character and diversity
Both indigenous and international grape varieties thrive on around 90 hectares of vineyards. Sangioveto and Vermentino meet Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz to produce cuvées of remarkable personality. One exception is the single-varietal Merlot Baffonero, which has established itself as a challenger to the most famous Super Tuscans. The influence of the sea breeze, which blows through a geographical “canyon” to the vineyards, ensures a constant, dry climate that provides optimal conditions for the grapes. Since the first official harvest in 2004 with 130,000 bottles, Rocca di Frassinello has stood for wines that combine elegance, power, and international appeal.

Renzo Piano's vision - architecture of functionality
World-renowned architect Renzo Piano wrote a decisive chapter in the history of the winery. He designed a winery that is characterized by clean lines and uncompromising functionality. At its heart is the Barricaia - a 40 x 40 meter underground square that offers ideal conditions for aging thanks to its stable temperature and constant humidity. An imposing roof, which does not require any columns, spans the room like a cathedral of wine. Surrounded by all production areas, this arrangement enables short distances and a particularly gentle process: during harvest, the grapes are fed directly from above into the fermentation tanks through openings - without any pumps that could impair quality.

A winery as an overall experience
Rocca di Frassinello is not only a producer of excellent wines, but also a place where history, art, and modernity merge in a unique way. The combination of millennia-old wine tradition with visionary architecture and international wine expertise makes the estate a symbol for the future of Tuscan viticulture. Visitors to Rocca di Frassinello not only experience outstanding wines, but also a place where culture and nature come together in perfect harmony. - Gerardo [TS09/25]