Caparzo

Tenuta Caparzo is an estate in the Montalcino region of Tuscany particularly known for its Brunello di Montalcino red wines led by the Vigna La Casa cuvée. Introduced in 1977, it is one of the earliest single-vineyard wines in the region, and also one of the first to use barriques – the wine sees a year in smaller barrels then two years in French and Slavonian 3000-liter casks. The vineyard was once the tenant farm for the workers at the nearby Palazzo Montosoli.

In total, Caparzo has around 90 hectares (220 acres) of vineyards in different locations within the appellation with a wide range of terroirs. The generic Brunello is drawn from across the estate and aged for three years in large casks. The Riserva is drawn from grapes selected personally by the winemaker and only made in the best years, and is aged in a similar way to the La Casa.

Carparzo make two Rosso di Montalcino wines as well. The generic wine is made from fruit sourced from across the estate, while La Caduta, unusually, is a single-vineyard wine produced at Rosso di Montalcino level. The Cà del Pazzo is one of the first Supertuscans produced in the Montalcino region, beginning in 1982. Again produced only in the best vintages, it is a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Caparzo and San Piero Caselle vineyards, aged in barriques.

The range of reds is underpinned by a Toscana IGT Sangiovese – blended with a little Alicante, Merlot and Petit Verdot – sourced from Caparazo estate fruit and partner vineyards in Chianti and Grosseto in coastal Tuscany. Le Grance is an ageworthy white wine made with Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc. The portfolio is completed by a Moscadello di Montalcino traditional sweet white. Both aged in smaller barrels.

Caparzo was founded in the late 1960s when a group of friends bought a ruined farm with vineyards and set about a program of complete replanting and revovation. In 1998, it was bought by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini, who also owns the neighboring Altesino, Borgo Scopeto in Chianti Classico, and a vineyard in the Maremma which produces the Morellino di Scansano La Doga delle Clavule.