The Estate
La Madonnina extends over more than 70 hectares on the western side of the Bolgherese Road, in the intermediate macro-zone between the Metallifere Hills and the sea. Right in the heart of the area of Bolgheri Appellation, the estate is at an altitude of only 45 metres above sea level, with a wide sunlight exposure, predominantly to the west. The view of the symmetrical and orderly vine rows, with the pine and oak trees in the background, is one of the most picturesque and exclusive sights of Bolgheri.
The Vineyard
The vineyard, planted in 2002, is protected on the western side by the Macchia del Bruciato Woods. The soil presents important variations, with good proportions of clay and sand, and relatively low nutritional levels, thus enabling a balanced development of the vines. They cover an area of about 6 hectares: 2 hectare of Bolgheri DOC and 4 hectares of Toscana IGT (Regional Geographical Indication) divided into Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and a small percentage of Petit Verdot. All the vines, planted at a density of 10.000 plants per hacre, are trained with the Guyot system and, as a choice of excellence, the average production per vine-stock never exceeds 500 grams. Both the vineyard and the cellar are managed by the oenologist Riccardo Cotarella.
The Olive Grove
La Madonnina’s small olive tree grove, of about 2 hectares, was planted at the beginning of the ‘70s with Leccino, Frantoio e Moraiolo varieties.
It was laid with a traditional planting pattern, with a 7-meter spacing between trees and rows.
The Pine Forest
The ”Macchia del Bruciato” woods, which extend over the western part of the estate for around 31 hectares, is a real natural gem. This vegetation is, in fact, what remains of the southern extension of the ancient Macchia di Bolgheri Woods, recorded at the Leopoldine Land Registry of 1765. It is a beautiful example of the Tuscan inland pinewood, consisting of oak species with patches of pine trees and a large number of cork oaks.
The woods are thinned out only in the proximity of the fence, while the core is savage and the human impact is kept to a minimum, focusing only on the pruning of dead branches and shrubs in excess, in order to preserve the habitat of all the wild species that live in the area: deer, wild boars, hedgehogs, hares, squirrels, small predators and many migrating and settled bird species.