Private Wine Tours to Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci at the Castle of the Counts Della Gherardesca. Tour the Ornellaia and Sassicaia Estates, the Tenuta dell´Ornellaia and Tenuta San Guido, with your private American Tour Guide, Frida Ruggiero

Tuscany´s Secret Wine Pleasures is the pride of the signature collection tours designed by Shore Excursions Tuscany, and is performed by a team of local professionals, selected experts and licensed tour operators. In each role we perform much care is given to several quintessential factors, especially to the local history and cultural heritage, people´s labor and their profound relationship with the Northern Maremma territory. Every place, from the little sleepy villages to the prestigious estates and historic dwellings, as well as every drop of wine and glimpse of landscape, is the result of long–lasting family traditions, that are distinctive of this land only. While you enjoy the wine and slow food pleasures here at Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci, you will sense the love of authenticity and will capture precious moments of the country lifestyle, keeping them forever in your memories. Before booking our guided tour in this lovely corner of Tuscany, take some time to read about the interesting facts we are pleased to share with you, as an anticipation of Tuscany´s Secret Wine Pleasures.

Counts Della Gherardesca

This is one of the most ancient aristocratic families of Italy, boasting Longobard origins that go way back to 800 AD. In other words, the family has been holding sway in this land for over 1,200 years. They were granted their title and coat of arms in 1344, by the Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV of the House of Wittelsbach. At the present day the castle is first and foremost the family home owned by the Counts Manfredi and Gaddo and by their sister Countess Sibilla. The siblings return here rather often with their children and other family members, especially in the summertime, to spend their holidays and to celebrate family reunions. Countess Sibilla works in the fields of communication and fashion, and currently directs the public relations office of Pitti Immagine. Count Manfredi lives in London and is a successful art dealer. He is married to Princess Maria Theodora, the daughter of Prince Rupert zu Löwenstein, also known as the financial manager of the Rolling Stones. Count Gaddo lives in Milan and is the vice president of a leading advertising agency. In the past years Count Gaddo was engaged to the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, and some personal remembrances of their special relationship may be seen in the Portrait Gallery of the castle.

Notable Members of the Family

Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, was Count of Donoratico and Naval Commander of the Maritime Republic of Pisa. See Dante´s Inferno, canto XXXIII, vv.1–90.

Saint Guido della Gherardesca, lived as a hermit in the lands of Donoratico, and died in 1140. Saint Guido reposes in the transept of the Cathedral of Pisa, at the Field of Miracles.

Cardinal Pietro della Gherardesca, also listed as Petrus Pisanus, was the brother of Saint Guido. Pietro was appointed Cardinal Priest of Saint Susanna by Pope Paschal II.

Archbishop Tommaso Bonaventura della Gherardesca, lived between the 17th and the 18th–century and was appointed Bishop of Fiesole and Archbishop of Florence in 1703.

Bonifacio, or Fazio della Gherardesca, was the founder of the University of Pisa in the year 1343. One of the world´s most ancient universities, it also boasts Europe´s oldest Academic Botanical Garden, established in 1544.

Guided Tour of the Castle

Frida Ruggiero has been appointed official guide of the della Gherardesca castle in 2007 and is delighted to take you on a tour of the Counts´ family home and extraordinary treasures inside. Visit the sumptuous salons and survey the Room of the Coat of Arms decorated with frescoes and precious tapestries, then admire the Portrait Gallery with the private collections and paintings depicting members of the Medici family linked to the Counts della Gherardesca, and the astonishing African Room of Count Guelfo, father of the siblings. Walk across the gardens and explore the Medieval rampart walkway, to enjoy the superb seascape and sights from the highest viewpoint of Castagneto Carducci.

Wine Spectator´s "Wine of the Year"

The Super Tuscan premium wines Ornellaia and Sassicaia are produced in the Bolgheri DOC Area, on the Strada del Vino Costa degli Etruschi Wine Trail. Indeed, this is one of the most famous and prestigious wine trails in the world, winding through the Maremma hills in the Province of Livorno. Ornellaia was created by Marquis Lodovico Antinori in the 80´s and is produced at the Tenuta dell´Ornellaia, while Sassicaia was created by Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in the 60´s, and is produced at the Tenuta San Guido. Niccolò Antinori married Countess Carlotta della Gherardesca, and his cousin Mario Incisa della Rocchetta married her younger sister, Countess Clarice della Gherardesca. The brides´ father Count Giuseppe della Gherardesca endowed the Tenuta San Guido and the Tenuta dell´Ornellaia, that were part of the family property, as his wedding gift to his daughters. Among the innumerable accolades conferred, the most illustrious achievement is the Wine Spectator Magazine "Wine of the Year" title in 2001, which refers to the 1998 vintage of Ornellaia:

"Ornellaia embodies the modern renaissance of Italian wines. This Cabernet blend from the coastal region of Bolgheri is path breaking in its origin, contemporary in its winemaking, international in its varietal blend, and thoroughly Tuscan in its soul. Given the brilliant quality of the 1998 Ornellaia, it's hard to know if the luster of this great red can possibly shine more brightly. 13,330 cases made."

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 1998, 96 points, 110 dollars.

The Wine Spectator, 2001