Located not far from the town of Castiglione della Pescaia, in the heart of the Maremma, there is a particularly beautiful winery called Le Mortelle. Vineyards and wineries are dotted all over the area but this particular example is especially charming and set within the most extraordinary surroundings. It is an excellent spot to go and sample and purchase some delicious Tuscan wines and learn more about wine and wine-making so, if you have found a vacation rental in the Grosetto-Maremma area and are looking to indulge in some local vintages, make sure to head to Le Mortelle.
Named after the “mortella”, or wild myrtle, that grows all over the surrounding landscape of the area, the winery is on an estate that was once part of an even larger estate called La Badiola that is recorded on the maps of Grand Duke Leopoldo II of Tuscany in the 19th century. La Badiola was a pilot version of a model of an estate that the Hapsburg Lorraine rulers of the Grand Duchy hoped to establish, in which the marshy and malaria-ridden lands of this coastal part of Tuscany would be drained and repurposed for raising cattle. This land, however, has been since reappropriated once more and the 270 hectares of the estate have been planted with 170 hectares of vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, as well as more recently planted vineyards of white grape varieties such as Vermentino, Ansonica, Viognier, and a small area of Carménère by the Antinori family.
Named after the “mortella”, or wild myrtle, that grows all over the surrounding landscape of the area, the winery is on an estate that was once part of an even larger estate called La Badiola that is recorded on the maps of Grand Duke Leopoldo II of Tuscany in the 19th century. La Badiola was a pilot version of a model of an estate that the Hapsburg Lorraine rulers of the Grand Duchy hoped to establish, in which the marshy and malaria-ridden lands of this coastal part of Tuscany would be drained and repurposed for raising cattle. This land, however, has been since reappropriated once more and the 270 hectares of the estate have been planted with 170 hectares of vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, as well as more recently planted vineyards of white grape varieties such as Vermentino, Ansonica, Viognier, and a small area of Carménère by the Antinori family.
The Antinori family purchased the estate in 1999 and while they have been in the winemaking industry since the 14th century (when Giovanni di Piero Antinori was officially recorded as having become a member of the Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri winemakers’ guild in 1385) and 26 generations, they were just coming into prominence on the Italian winemaking scene at the time. The family has also been in the area of Le Mortelle for generations with evidence of ownership of land in the territory recorded in a property deed dated to 1863 that notes their ownership of Poggio Franco, one of the best vineyards on the estate, and some other bits of land in the area. Now owners of several estates around Tuscany and Italy, they took on the entirety of Le Mortelle in the nineties and transformed it, dedicating their efforts to improving the vineyards and expanding the facilities with features like new cellars, “with the conviction that the area…had a very significant potential for the production of high quality wine.”
Those 270 hectares of land are filled with lots of extraordinary elements. The 170 hectares of organic vineyards are planted in soil that, “is of medium consistency, sandy and loamy composed of clay and silica” and “some parts of the estate is rich in rocky deposits.” This soil and the mild coastal climate both perfectly complement the grape varieties grown on the estate, allowing the base ingredient of the wines made on the estate to be of the highest possible quality. In addition to the vineyards, there is also 15 hectares of olive groves and peach, plum, apricot, and pear fruit trees, as well as blueberries. Two manmade lakes have been constructed on the estate and the combination of the rolling hills and incredible natural beauty of the Maremma, the wildlife haven created by these new additions, and the vibrant organic agricultural activities, has made this an especially lovely wine estate.
Those 270 hectares of land are filled with lots of extraordinary elements. The 170 hectares of organic vineyards are planted in soil that, “is of medium consistency, sandy and loamy composed of clay and silica” and “some parts of the estate is rich in rocky deposits.” This soil and the mild coastal climate both perfectly complement the grape varieties grown on the estate, allowing the base ingredient of the wines made on the estate to be of the highest possible quality. In addition to the vineyards, there is also 15 hectares of olive groves and peach, plum, apricot, and pear fruit trees, as well as blueberries. Two manmade lakes have been constructed on the estate and the combination of the rolling hills and incredible natural beauty of the Maremma, the wildlife haven created by these new additions, and the vibrant organic agricultural activities, has made this an especially lovely wine estate.
The buildings don’t let it down either, with an incredible winery designed and built by AEI Progetti of Florence between 2007 and 2009, at the cost of €11 million, set atop a hillside looking down over the whole estate and taking in those amazing views. Built largely underground to minimise its environmental impact, it was constructed sustainably, using all natural materials, with an elegant form following a perfectly realised function. This gorgeous wood, glass, and plant-covered building sits in front of the historic farmhouse and, inside, the new winery only continues to stun: a massive a 60-metre wide circular cavern that has been carved out of solid rock and goes down 3 storeys height into the earth and is wrought in concrete, steel and warm-coloured wood, connected from top to bottom by a single imposing spiral staircase.
There are three wines made on the estate – the Vivia DOC (a white), the Botrosecco Rosso DOC (a red), and the flagship red, Poggio alle Nane DOC. The Vivia is a white blend of equal parts Vermentino, Ansonica and Viognier and is very dry with good length and balance and peach and citrus notes. The Botrosecco is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc and is a deep ruby red with a nose that has berry, herb, and pencil shaving notes. Finally, the Poggio alle Nane is the wine upon which the reputation of the estate rests and is their Nobile. A blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a dark ruby colour and has notes of tobacco, herbs, red berry fruit, juniper, balsamic, and mocha. It is the most elegant of the three with a price-point to match.
There are three wines made on the estate – the Vivia DOC (a white), the Botrosecco Rosso DOC (a red), and the flagship red, Poggio alle Nane DOC. The Vivia is a white blend of equal parts Vermentino, Ansonica and Viognier and is very dry with good length and balance and peach and citrus notes. The Botrosecco is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc and is a deep ruby red with a nose that has berry, herb, and pencil shaving notes. Finally, the Poggio alle Nane is the wine upon which the reputation of the estate rests and is their Nobile. A blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, it is a dark ruby colour and has notes of tobacco, herbs, red berry fruit, juniper, balsamic, and mocha. It is the most elegant of the three with a price-point to match.
If you are interested in visiting the estate to sample their three wonderful wines, visit their stunning winery, and explore the lovely grounds, you can do so easily as it is open every day. If you have found a villa in the Maremma area and are exploring the culinary culture of the region, it is a must as what must be one of the prettiest wineries in all of Tuscany.
Fattoria Le Mortelle
Loc. Ampio, Castiglione della Pescaia
visite@lemortelle.it
+39 0564 944003/+39 347 4610704
Opening Hours:
Summer Season (1/06 – 1/09): Daily, 10am to 8pm
Spring and Autumn (3/04 – 31/05 | 2/09 – 3/11): Daily, 10am to 5pm
Fattoria Le Mortelle
Loc. Ampio, Castiglione della Pescaia
visite@lemortelle.it
+39 0564 944003/+39 347 4610704
Opening Hours:
Summer Season (1/06 – 1/09): Daily, 10am to 8pm
Spring and Autumn (3/04 – 31/05 | 2/09 – 3/11): Daily, 10am to 5pm
