Media & Distribution Hub
About
Tenuta Fratini is a reality project based in Bolgheri, developed with the objective of reassessing the production potential of the area’s higher-altitude hillside zones.
Our project is not just a revival of Bolgheri’s original spirit — it is a bold reinterpretation that honors the land’s natural vocation, celebrating the diversity of soils and the magic of high-altitude cultivation.
The estate covers more than 1,300 hectares on the southern slopes of the Colline Metallifere, within the Bolgheri DOC, and includes 28 hectares of vineyards situated between 80 and 235 meters above sea level.
The focus of the project is on areas characterized by greater elevation variability, complex soil composition, and microclimatic diversity. These factors—altitude, soil structure, and exposure—form the basis of a site-specific approach to viticulture and winemaking.
Rather than adopting the stylistic conventions that have defined the international reputation of Bolgheri in recent decades, Tenuta Fratini prioritizes geological precision, climatic expression, and long-term aging potential as the core parameters for vineyard selection and wine production.
From analysis to selection: a scientific foundation
Tenuta Fratini was developed through a rigorous, multi-year study of the land.
To fully understand the viticultural potential of our land, we conducted a three-year study across all 1,300 hectares of the estate, using Electro-Conductivity Mapping (EMC).
This advanced technology allowed us to analyze the subsoil with high resolution, focusing on the following key factors:
Soil Texture and Depth
Identification of the soil’s geological composition and stratification in order to map its variability in detail, and select only the most structurally suitable areas for vine development.
Moisture Retention
Detection of areas with higher water retention capacity to evaluate natural drainage, identifying plots where deep and consistent root systems can develop.
Mineral Composition
Analysis of the mineral content of each zone to determine the most expressive and geologically balanced combinations for varietal and site-specific expression.
Micro-Parcel Selection and Management
Following the soil analysis, 28 hectares were selected and subdivided into micro-parcels ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 hectares. This scale enables precise viticultural management based on the unique characteristics of each plot.
Rootstock, Clone and Variety Matching
Each parcel hosts tailored combinations of rootstocks and clones, selected for their compatibility with the specific soil structure, moisture profile, and microclimatic exposure.
Individualized Vineyard Management
Precision viticulture techniques such as pruning, canopy management, and integrated pest control are applied with parcel-level specificity, rather than block-based uniformity.
Parcel-Based Harvest and Vinification
All grapes are harvested and vinified separately by parcel. This ensures that the specific chemical and phenolic profile of each micro-zone is preserved and expressed without compromise.
Vinification Approach
At Tenuta Fratini, each micro-parcel is vinified separately in order to preserve the identity of the site. Fermentations take place in raw concrete tanks using indigenous yeasts, with minimal intervention and no artificial adjustments.
The goal is not to shape the wine, but to let the site express itself with clarity and precision. Ageing is carried out in a selection of fine-grain French oak barrels, tailored to the structure and tension of each lot.
​
This approach reflects our belief that precision and restraint are the most effective tools in translating a terroir-driven philosophy into the glass.
Eric Boissenot
The oenological direction of Tenuta Fratini is guided by Eric Boissenot, one of the most respected consultants in Bordeaux and internationally.
Known for his discreet yet influential work with Château Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux and Mouton Rothschild, Boissenot brings to Bolgheri a legacy rooted in elegance, balance, and longevity.
His collaboration with Tenuta Fratini marks a significant moment: for the first time, he applies the same analytical and stylistic rigour used in the great terroirs of the Left Bank to the unique context of high-altitude Bolgheri.
