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The pioneering Mazzei family, owners of Chianti Classico’s highly esteemed Castello di Fonterutoli, took the helm at the Belguardo estate in Maremma, Tuscany in the 1990s after recognizing the potential for superb quality winemaking in the local terroir. In the years since, the Mazzeis have established a name for Belguardo among the top producers in this exciting, fast emerging wine region.

The Belguardo estate is located on the hills between Grosseto and Montiano, about six miles inland from Italy’s west coast. It comprises a total of 70 hectares (173 acres), including 32 hectares (79 acres) of specialized vineyards, making it one of the most important estates in Maremma.

Belguardo’s logo is fashioned after a geometrical symbol sketched by Leonardo da Vinci, which represents a union between precision and perspective. It is emblematic of the Mazzeis’ commitment to combining Maremma’s exceptional growing conditions with the family’s centuries of winemaking expertise to yield concentrated, complex wines that are extraordinarily elegant and aromatic.

In line with their family philosophy of showcasing the potential of the terroir, the Mazzeis implemented an intense replanting campaign throughout the Belguardo property with careful, studied selection of varieties and clones. Along with the introduction of traditional grapes such as Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, a research and development project is underway to cultivate an ancient local variety found only in the oldest vineyards of nearby Scansano.

The vineyard area is planted at altitudes ranging from 70-130 meters (230-426 feet) above sea level, with south/southwest exposure. The well-drained soil is characterized by an elevated presence of limestone and sandstone rocks.