Masseto

Masseto is a true legend of the Bolgheri region, born from an exceptional terroir and a visionary approach to winemaking. This prestigious estate is located on the Tuscan coast, in the hills of Bolgheri, where just 7 hectares of Merlot have been cultivated since 1986 — a vineyard that has become one of the most iconic in the world.

The name Masseto derives from the dense blue clay soils (“masso”) that dominate the site and date back to the Pliocene era. These unique soils, combined with a maritime climate and constant coastal breezes, give the wine its remarkable structure, depth, and longevity. The extraordinary potential of this vineyard was first recognized in the late 1970s by legendary consultant André Tchelistcheff, who foresaw its exceptional suitability for Merlot.

History and Philosophy

The story of Masseto began in 1981, when it was founded by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, at the same time he was developing the renowned Ornellaia estate. Initially conceived as part of the Ornellaia project, Masseto quickly proved to be something unique and soon established its own identity as a standalone icon.

Since 2005, the estate has been owned by the Frescobaldi family, who continue to develop Masseto as one of the world’s most celebrated expressions of Merlot.

In 2019, a new, purpose-built gravity-flow winery was inaugurated, designed exclusively for Masseto. This state-of-the-art facility allows for the utmost precision at every stage of production and preserves the purest expression of the vineyard’s terroir.