About Rocca di Frassinello
Rocca di Frassinello is a Tuscan winery located in the Maremma Toscana DOC zone, in the coastal hills of Grosseto province. It is a joint venture between the Ruffino estate and Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), established in the early 2000s. The estate is known for its Bordeaux-influenced red blends based primarily on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sangiovese, and for its cellar designed by Renzo Piano.
Prices are for take away and shipping. The wine bar serves from its own list.
The winery
About Rocca di Frassinello
History
Rocca di Frassinello is a winery at Poggio alla Guardia, near Giuncarico Scalo in the municipality of Gavorrano, in the Maremma of Tuscany. It was set up as an Italian and French venture. It grew from a partnership between Paolo Panerai, who owns Castellare di Castellina in Chianti Classico, and Baron Eric de Rothschild of Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite). The first official vintage was 2004, with about 130,000 bottles.
The cellar was built between 2003 and 2007 and inaugurated on 30 June 2007. It is the work of the architect Renzo Piano, and it is the first winery he designed.
The land and the vineyards
The vineyards cover almost 90 hectares. The Italian grapes are Sangiovese and Vermentino, and the French ones are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The estate includes an Etruscan necropolis, and finds in the area show that wine was made here almost three thousand years ago.
The wines
Most wines are blends. The Rocca di Frassinello is the main red, and the range includes San Germano, a white called Rocca di Frassinello Bianco, Le Sughere di Frassinello, Ornello, Poggio alla Guardia Vigne Alte, a rosato, a Vermentino and a grappa. Baffonero is the one wine made entirely from Merlot, and there are limited editions as well.
Today
The cellar is the main feature: a 40 by 40 metre square, set underground to keep humidity and temperature steady, with the barrel room at its centre beneath a large roof slab without columns. Grapes fall by gravity from hatches above into steel tanks, so no pumps are needed. The exhibition Gli Etruschi e il Vino, designed by Italo Rota, is set up beside the barrel room.
- Founded
- First vintage 2004; cellar opened 2007
- Vineyards
- Almost 90 hectares
- Main grapes
- Sangiovese, Vermentino, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
- Owners
- Domini Castellare (Paolo Panerai)