Location and wine-growing area
Castagneto Carducci is located in the province of Livorno and includes the administrative area of the Bolgheri wine appellation. Its area extends for about 13 kilometres from north to south and 7 kilometres from east to west; the coastal area west of the old Via Aurelia is excluded. The wine-growing area lies between the foothills of the Colline Metallifere to the east and the Tyrrhenian coast to the west. The vineyards are located mostly on flat to gently sloping terrain and range in height from about 10 to 380 metres.
Climate and soils
The mild coastal Tuscan climate only rarely sees winter temperatures falling below 0 °C and features an approximately three- to four-month summer dry period. The average annual temperature in the Bolgheri area is around 15.5 °C. Maritime winds occur on at least 250 days a year, reducing moisture in the vineyards. The soils are varied; 27 soil types are described as well as deep, alkaline sand-clay soils, fine gravel and fossil shell fragments.
Grape varieties and wine styles
For white Bolgheri wines, among others Vermentino, Sauvignon and Trebbiano Toscano are permitted. Wines labelled as Bolgheri Vermentino or Bolgheri Sauvignon must contain at least 85 per cent of the respective grape variety. Red and rosé wines may, among others, be made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Sangiovese. The appellation includes dry white wines, rosé wines, red wines, as well as the Bolgheri Rosso and Bolgheri Rosso Superiore variants. The Rosso is described as dry and harmonious, while the Rosso Superiore is described as fuller-bodied and more structured.
History and regulations
Vine cultivation is documented in the wider Bolgheri area from Etruscan times. The modern development of viticulture expanded from the late 17th century onwards through land-reclamation and agricultural initiatives by the Della Gherardesca family. In 1942 and 1944, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet cuttings in Castiglioncello di Bolgheri. The DOC rules for Bolgheri were approved on 1 August 1983; in 1994, Bolgheri red wines were recognised and the Bolgheri Sassicaia sub-zone was established, which became a standalone DOC in 2013. Under the regulations in force, new or replanted vineyards must have at least 4,500 vines per hectare.
