Carpezzana Trefiano Vintage Tasting
For the last several years, the Bonacossi family, with their Tenuta Capezzana estate located in the Carmignano region of Tuscany, have showcased their exquisite wines through elegant events. This year (2024) Trefiano is in the spotlight. It is a “SuperTuscan” blend that elegantly marries Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and the native Canaiolo.
History and Legacy of Villa Trefiano
Constructed in 1570 for the noble Florentine Rucellai family by Giovanni Battista Battaglioni, Villa Trefiano stands as a testament to Tuscan heritage. It’s here that Vittorio Contini Bonacossi, inspired by the popular wine styles of the 1970s and the arrival of wine critic Robert Parker, envisioned a unique blend from the stony vineyards enveloping the villa.
Interestingly, there’s a cute story associated with Vittorio and Villa Trefiano. When he was a small boy, he had visited at night with his family. The Villa, after centuries of wear (today it has been restored) both terrified and fascinated him, thus paving the way for his inspiration for the future wine.
The Unique Terroir of Trefiano
The diverse soils of Villa Trefiano’s vineyards, which include stone, clay, and limestone, contribute to the distinctive character of Trefiano wine—a character so exceptional that it is reserved for production only in the best years, resulting in 29 vintages over 40 years.
The Composition of Trefiano Wine
Trefiano maintains a consistent blend of 80% Sangiovese, complemented by 20% of Cabernet Sauvignon and Canaiolo. The clay shale soil of the region imparts unique organoleptic qualities, culminating in a Carmignano DOCG wine of unparalleled elegance and depth.
The Trefiano Vintage Tasting Experience
In a rare tasting event, guests savor four remarkable vintages of Trefiano—1988, 1998, 2012, and 2018. Each vintage, aged for an average of 18 months in French oak, reveals the complexity and versatility of this storied blend.
The Bonacossi family and their representatives worked hard to ensure a great wine and food pairing by holding the event at the luxurious Il Magnifico restaurant within the Tournbuoni hotel in Florence.
The Family's Evolution in Wine Production
Since acquiring Tenuta Capezzana in 1926, the Bonacossi family has not only restored the estate to its current grandeur but also embraced modernity with the addition of a Bed and Breakfast, a pool, and a restaurant. Despite these advancements, winemaking remains their passion and primary pursuit.
The Continuation of a Family Legacy
During the tasting, I was lucky enough to be seated next to several Bonacossi family members who told me stories of their grandmother who started the cooking school in the 1980s. It was a pleasure to spend time with this close, hardworking family and observe the new generation as they take the family reigns.
