Estate Background
Located along the Tuscan coast in the prestigious wine region of Bolgheri, Tenuta San Guido is one of Italy’s most celebrated estates and the birthplace of the legendary wine Sassicaia. The estate is owned by the historic Incisa della Rocchetta family, whose pioneering vision helped transform the global perception of Italian wine.

The story of Tenuta San Guido began in the 1940s when Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines on the estate. Inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux, he believed the gravelly soils of Bolgheri were ideal for producing a wine of similar elegance and structure. The resulting wine, Sassicaia—named after the “sassi” or stones found in the vineyard soils—was initially produced only for family consumption.

In 1968, Sassicaia was released commercially for the first time. Its success soon attracted international attention and played a defining role in the emergence of the Super Tuscan movement, which challenged traditional appellation rules by prioritising quality, terroir and innovative winemaking.

A Landmark in Italian Wine
Sassicaia’s reputation grew rapidly, and in 1994 it achieved a historic distinction by becoming the only wine in Italy to receive its own appellation: Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC. This recognition cemented Tenuta San Guido’s position as one of the most influential estates in modern Italian winemaking.

Today, the estate continues to be managed by the Incisa della Rocchetta family and produces three wines that reflect the unique coastal terroir of Bolgheri:

Sassicaia – the estate’s flagship wine and global icon
Guidalberto – a refined Bordeaux-style blend offering earlier accessibility
Le Difese – an elegant and approachable expression of the estate

Philosophy
Tenuta San Guido is guided by a philosophy of precision, respect for terroir, and long-term sustainability. The vineyards benefit from a unique combination of gravel-rich soils, Mediterranean climate, and cooling maritime influences from the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea, resulting in wines of remarkable balance, complexity and longevity.

For more than half a century, Tenuta San Guido has remained a benchmark of excellence—producing wines that combine innovation with tradition and continue to define the modern identity of Bolgheri.