FORNACELLE Estate is located on the Tuscan Coast, along the Strada del Vino Costa degli Etruschi, the Wine Road of Etruscan Coast. It belongs to Bolgheri DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), one of the most prestigious Italian wine regions.
The farm was founded at the end of the XIX Century and it has always been a family estate. In 1998 Stefano Billi inherited the property from his grandfather and planted the new vineyards. A few years ago Stefano’s wife, Silvia, joined in the management of the estate. Today Fornacelle estate covers a total surface area of 15 he
ctares. The vineyard extends for 8 hectares. The rest of the farm consists of an 
olive-grove of 1000 plants, a 1 hectare peach-orchard, and various vegetable gardens.
From the beginning Stefano’s philosophy focused on high quality. He selected vines and clones according to the different soils of the estate parcels. He introduced the modern vineyard practice based on lower yields. But, on the other hand, following the example of his ancestors, at the same time, Stefano pays great attention to hard work and details. He says: “Our challenge is to find the best combination of climate, soil, grape variety and winemaking methods in order to produce top-class-wines which mirrors our terroir and express our work. Our meticulous work in the vineyard, allows us to obtain a unique and high quality harvest, every vintage, making every year, and for each parcel, the perfect decision when to cut, to select, and to pick grapes.”
The Bolgheri DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) was created in 1984 for white and rosé wines and in 1994 for the red ones, in the wake of the worldwide fame reached by several wines from the region.
For white wines the regulation provides mostly local white grapes such as Vermentino, while for red wines production the rule is an exception compared with the other Tuscan wine regions.
Indeed even if in Bolgheri you can find some rare examples of high quality wines based on Sangiovese grape, the excellent wines from Bolgheri are mainly produced from international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and others. This special attitude for international grapes has also been confirmed by an important research on the Bolgheri terroir, carried on by the University of Milan.
Our Wines
FOGLIO 38 BOLGHERI SUPERIORE – TOSCANA IGT – 2012
VINEYARD
Geographic location: 80 m. above sea level, in the shape called Amphitheatre Bolgherese, facing south.
The loam soil tended predominantly sandy sediments with gravel.
Training system: spurred cordon pruning.
Density: 8,000 vines per hectare.
Production: Approximately 8,000 kg of grapes per hectare with a yield of 60%.
THE WINE
Cadastral sheet 38 is an indication which identifies our vineyards.
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Franc
Year: 2012
Alcohol level: 14.5%
Winemaking: Fermentation in open barrels of French oak, with manual punching. Alcoholic fermentation and maceration lasting 20 days. Using only the yeasts of the grape.
Aging: 18 months in the same barrel, which is new for fermentation.
Aging: 18 months in bottle. Bottled by hand, without filtration.
ORGANOLEPTIC
Color: brilliant ruby red
Aroma: Intense and complex with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and ripe cherry, mulberry, rose and mild tones toasted
Taste: Tasty and mouth while balanced, silky tannins and elegant, Long finish
PAIRINGS
Some examples: roast leg of lamb with mint, scottiglia beef, veal shank
Serving temperature: 18 °C. (64-65°F)
PREVIOUS VINTAGES AWARDS
Veronelli: 90 points
Wine Spectator: 91 points
Wine Enthusiast: 93 points
Help A.I.S. Duemilavini: 4 grapes
Falsaff: 90 points
Download Foglio38 2012 Specification PDF
ZIZZOLO ROSSO BOLGHERI – DOC – 2014
The Vineyard
Geographical position: At the foot of the hills of Castagneto Carducci, along the Bolgheri Wine Road
The soil: middle hard clayey soil with gravely structure
Age of the vineyard: 10 years old
Training system: Cordon spur
Density: 6,000 plants per hectare
Production: Around 7,000 kg of grapes per hectare with a yield of 70% of wine per 100 kg of grapes.
The Wine
Zizzolo is the name of the vineyard. Guarda Boschi, and Vigna allo Zizzolo as well, were small parcels in the Bolgheri region, former vineyards of the Counts Della Gherardesca, who owned the largest part of Tuscan Coast till the end of the XIX Century. Replanted the vineyard according to the high quality philosophy in 1998.
Grapes: 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Alcohol by Vol.: 13.5%
Wine making method
Pure vinification (every single type of grape): Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 26-28°C.
Length of maceration: 12 days. Only use natural yeast.
Malolactic fermentation and aging in second use barriques
Refining: 12 months in bottle
Production: about 1800 cases per year
Organoleptical evaluation
Colour: Ruby-red, bright
Nose: Fruity aromas with notes of flowers and herbs
Taste: Fruity and fresh with round tannins and a delicious aftertaste
Drinking temperature: 16-18°C (61-65°F)
Preservation: 4-5 years, depending on the vintage
Food Matches
It is a multi sided wine , It combines very well with different kind of menus. White and red meat, steak, Pasta dishes, cheese. Alone, just for pleasure.
Zizzolo 2007 awards (in progress)
Wine Enthusiast: 90 points.
Decanter Wine World Awards: Silver Medal.
Japan World Wine Challenge: Gold Medal.
VINI D’ITALIA 2010 Italian Sommelier Association: 4/5 Grapes
Download Zizzolo Rosso 2014 Specification PDF
ZIZZOLO BIANCO BOLGHERI – DOC – 2015
The Vineyard
Geographical position: At the foot of the hills of Castagneto Carducci, along the Bolgheri Wine Road.
The soil: middle hard clayey soil with sandy sediment
Age of the vineyard: 10 years old
Training system: Cordon spur
Density: 5,000 plants per hectare
Production: Around 9,000 kg of grapes per hectare with a yield of 70% of wine
The Wine
Zizzolo is the name of the vineyard. Guarda Boschi is the name of the vineyard. Guarda Boschi, and Vigna allo Zizzolo as well, were small parcels in the Bolgheri region, former vineyards of the Counts Della Gherardesca, who owned the largest part of Tuscan Coast till the end of the XIX Century. We replanted the vineyard according to the high quality philosophy in 1998.
Grapes: 85% Vermentino, 15% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol by Vol.: 13%
Wine making method
Pure vinification (every single type of grape); with blending to follow. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 16-18°C. Length of fermentation: 20 days.
Refining: 2 months in bottle
Production: about 700 cases per year
Organoleptical evaluation
Color: Straw yellow
Nose: Flowery and herbaceous aromas, with white fruit notes
Taste: Fresh and fruity, with a pleasant finish
Drinking temperature: 10-12°C. (50-54°F)
Food Matches
Fish and delicate cheese; first courses with vegetables. It is also very pleasant as aperitif.
Download Zizzolo Bianco 2015 Specification PDF
