Founded by Lodovico Antinori as an extension of his Tenuta dell’Ornellaia wine estate, Masseto is located in the heart of Tuscan wine country, on a stretch of land where soil and climate mimic those found in Bordeaux.
The name, Masseto, comes from the Italian word for rock, ‘masso’ and is a reflection of the vineyard’s unique terroir, which contains large amounts of blue and grey clay.
Masseto refers not only to the vineyard but also to its flagship red blend that is named after it.
The hillside which would become Masseto was identified by acclaimed oenologist Andre Tchelistcheff in 1980, who noted its potential for producing high-quality wines from Merlot plantings.
In 1981 Lodovico Antinori began the work of planting Masseto’s vines majority Merlot and a small percentage of Cabernet Franc.
Initially, the wine from Masseto was vinified and aged at Ornellaia and Masseto did live in the shadow of its sibling for some time. However, it proved so popular that it quickly came to rival Ornellaia and the estate was changed to Ornellaia e Masseto in 2012 to reflect this.
Today, Masseto is recognized for producing rich wines with substantial tannins and tasting notes of blackberries, chocolate and tobacco.
In 2012, a new wine production facility was built at Masseto and it has since undergone a very thorough renovation process to ensure that the best wines continue to be produced. This included completely refurbishing and replacing tanks, as well as installing new electrical and fermentation equipment.
The vineyard converted entirely to organic farming in 2012 and it continues to maintain its organic status. Additionally, Masseto is known for the work they do in preserving their local ecosystem and ensuring that the land remains healthy even after many years of wine production.
in 201, the vineyard produced its second wine Massetino, a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Massetino has been as well-received as Masseto and is noted for its aromas of ripe red berries, notes of cherry and chocolate and a well-rounded finish.
Masseto’s wines are very well-regarded by critics because of their balance between elegance and power as well as deep colour with a rich, velvety texture.
Masseto has been referred to as ‘the jewel in the crown of one of Tuscany’s most famous wine brands’ and, because of its very truncated production, the vineyard only produces 30,000 bottles a year, prices average around £630 per bottle.
