A Star Was Born

Ivy Ng reports on the enduring legacy of Sassicaia

The family emblem of the Incisa Della Rochetta family is the Stellone d'Italia of Star of Italy, and rather appropriately it is also the logo for the iconic creation of Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia, the wine that reached superstar status when it beat 32 other wines from 11 countries in a Cabernet Sauvingon contest organized by Decanter in 1978.

Sassicaia put Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast firmly on the fine world map. Started by Mario, the father of the estate’s current owner Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta, as a hobby using grafts of Cabernet Sauvignon purchased from Château Lafite to plant vines on the estate in 1948, Sassicaia was launched in 1968 and immediately attracted world acclaim. Bolgheri offers maritime climate and different soil types, and at selective locations, perfect microclimate and sun exposure to encourage ideal ripening conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Written by Ivy Ng

Click here to see the published article.

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