Tenuta San Leonardo is a 300 hectare organic estate in the Vallagarina (or Lagarina Valley) in the south part of the Trentino region in Italy. The estate’s wine history began in the 1960s after Marchese Carlo Guerrieri decided to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Carmenère, in line with acquaintances Piero Antinori and Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta (Sassicaia). The main building, a former monastery, was where the signing of the preliminary armistice between Italy and Austria-Hungary took place, marking the end of World War One. Then, 25 years later, it became a German Wehrmacht base that the American Army attempted to bomb during WWII, but missed because of its proximity to the mountains.
Owner: Marchese Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga (+39 335.5214321).
The Villa: Beautiful villa (built in 1874) but an historic battle ground. What was a monastery over a millennium ago, has for nearly three centuries been the residence of the Marchesi Guerrieri Gonzaga family, who revere and preserve it with great devotion.
Staff: Carlo Ferrini consults.
History: The Villa was built in 1874.
Vineyards: 2017 San Leonardo comprises a total of 300 hectares, of which 30 are planted to vineyards. 15ha by the villa, plus an additional 15 hectares, located in northern Trentino, at elevations between 400 and 600 metres, yield the Sauvignon Blanc grapes for Vette di San Leonardo and a Riesling.
Terroir: Mediterranean climate despite the location in the Alpine foothills warm enough for tropical plants to grow here. The barrier of the Alps is said to temper the force of the cold northern winds. Warm afternoon winds or mild breezes from nearby Lake Garda. Cool nights for acidity, aromatics and slow ripening. Nearby Monte Baldo and the Monti Lessini shade the vineyards for a few hours each day.
Organic certification: 2018 Full organic certification for the first time.
White wines
Vette di San Leonardo: Sauvignon Blanc.
Riesling
Red wines
Villa Gresti: Villa Gresti is based on Merlot-driven with a percentage of Carménère. The wine was named after Marchesa Gemma De Gresti Guerrieri Gonzaga, Marchese Carlo’s grandmother. In World War One she sheltered Italian-speaking Austro-Hungarian Empire soldiers.
Terre di San Leonardo: The second wine.
San Leonardo: 2014 A Bordeaux-style blend with 30% Carmenere. Also Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot. | 2016 12.5-13% alc. Marchese Anselmo says the 2016 is on a par with the legendary 1999. The 2016 growing season started with an early budbreak in April and flowering around 20 May. Summer ushered in a providential alternation of long, sunny days, some beneficial rain, and significant day-night temperature differentials. Harvest, carried out between late September and mid-October, brought sound, perfectly healthy, ripe clusters. San Leonardo’s usual meticulous winemaking practices followed, utilising ambient yeasts in the pied de cuve prepared a few days before the harvest and painstakingly-executed manual pump-overs. Carlo Ferrini puts the San Leonardo 2016 on a par with the legendary 1999.
Contact
Tenuta San Leonardo
Località San Leonardo, 1
38063 Avio (TN), Italy
Website: www.sanleonardo.it