Trinoro, Tenuta di
Summary
Tenuta di Trinoro is a small-scale Tuscan producer in the remote Val d'Orcia, where just 22 hectares of high-elevation vineyards planted to Bordeaux varieties thrive in a complex mosaic of limestone, volcanic, and clay soils. The estate's radical approach includes extremely high-density plantings, aggressive green harvesting, deliberately limited production of approximately 25,000 bottles annually, and a willingness to declassify entire vintages when quality standards aren't met.
Heritage & Leadership
Tenuta di Trinoro was established in 1991 when Andrea Franchetti acquired an abandoned property in the remote Val d'Orcia region of southeastern Tuscany. Franchetti, who had previously worked in the wine trade in New York and Rome, deliberately chose this isolated location near the medieval village of Sarteano for its unique terroir and growing conditions. The estate remained under his singular vision and direction until his death in December 2021 at age 72. During his tenure, Franchetti transformed the wild, uncultivated land into one of Italy's most distinctive wine estates, operating outside traditional Tuscan winemaking conventions by focusing on Bordeaux varieties rather than Sangiovese. Following Andrea's passing, his son Benjamin Franchetti assumed leadership of the estate, continuing his father's meticulous approach while bringing his own perspective to the winemaking process. The estate represents a significant chapter in the evolution of Super Tuscan wines, having developed a reputation for producing terroir-driven wines that reflect both the distinctive character of the Val d'Orcia and Franchetti's uncompromising standards.
Vineyards & Wines
Tenuta di Trinoro encompasses approximately 200 hectares of land, with 22 hectares planted to vineyards at elevations ranging from 450 to 600 meters above sea level. The vineyards are situated in a valley surrounded by the Monte Amiata and the Orcia River, creating a microclimate with significant diurnal temperature variations. The estate's soils vary dramatically across small distances, featuring a complex mix of limestone, volcanic elements, and clay. Franchetti planted predominantly Bordeaux varieties—Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot—at unusually high densities of 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare, forcing the roots to compete and dig deeply into the mineral-rich subsoil.
The estate produces several wines, with the flagship "Tenuta di Trinoro" representing a varying blend of these Bordeaux varieties, adjusted each vintage according to growing conditions. Since 2011, Tenuta di Trinoro has also produced single-vineyard bottlings from exceptional parcels, including "Campo di Camagi" (Cabernet Franc), "Campo di Magnacosta" (Cabernet Franc), and "Campo di Tenaglia" (Cabernet Franc). The estate also produces "Le Cupole," introduced as a second wine in 1995. In exceptional years, they release "Palazzi," a Merlot-dominant blend. Annual production remains deliberately limited, with approximately 25,000 bottles produced across all wines, allowing for meticulous attention to each vineyard block.
Philosophy & Practice
Andrea Franchetti's winemaking philosophy at Tenuta di Trinoro centered on extreme viticulture and minimal intervention. The estate practices high-density planting to create natural competition among vines, resulting in lower yields and more concentrated fruit. Vineyard management includes rigorous green harvesting, with up to 60% of the fruit often removed during the growing season to concentrate flavors in the remaining clusters. Franchetti was known for his willingness to wait for optimal ripeness, often harvesting significantly later than neighboring estates—sometimes extending into November.
In the winery, fermentation occurs in steel tanks with native yeasts. Malolactic fermentation and aging take place in new French oak barriques, with aging periods typically ranging from 8 months for Le Cupole to 18-24 months for the flagship Tenuta di Trinoro and single-vineyard bottlings. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve their full character. Franchetti's approach rejected standardization in favor of vintage expression, resulting in significant variation in blend compositions from year to year based on which varieties performed best. This philosophy extends to the estate's willingness to declassify entire vintages when quality standards aren't met, as occurred in 2002 and 2014. Under Benjamin Franchetti's leadership, the estate continues this uncompromising approach while maintaining the distinctive character that has defined Tenuta di Trinoro since its inception.