bolgheri – Tuscany – Italy
Bolgheri, a lovely village in the middle of Tuscany’s most prestigious wine area
One of the places you should definitely visit is Bolgheri. This place is located in the southwest of Tuscany, about 50 kilometers south of Livorno. This little cute village has no more than 140 inhabitants. The village is about ten kilometers from the coast and has a long history.
The name of Bolgheri was first mentioned in the writings in the year 1150. The name of the place is due to the Bulgarian soldiers who defended the city as mercenaries from the Lombards in the battles against the Sardinians. The Italian word for Bulgarians is Bulgari and that’s how the name Bolgheri came into being.
Bolgheri, the wine municipality, as we know it today was born from a dream. Seventy years ago, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta devoted the sun-drenched hills around the old village to the cultivation of French vines. Meanwhile, it has grown into a refined and highly valued wine-growing area on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Tuscan coast.
As a visit to this super cute typical Tuscany village is worth it, I will share with you the main hot spots to see.
Viali dei Cipressi
You probably have seen the cypresses road on pictures many times, and this is for sure also you idea of the Tuscany landscape. The most famous road in the wider area of Bolgheri is without a doubt the Viali dei Cipressi. The name of this street literally means avenue of the cypresses. The Viali dei Cipressi is a long avenue with beautiful cypress trees on both sides. According to the latest counts, the total number of cypress trees along the five-kilometer road is around 2000 trees. The road is one of the most beautiful avenues in Italy and is also a symbol of beautiful Tuscany. The Viali dei Cipressi runs from the town of Bolgheri to the temple Oratorio di San Guido. You should visit the special Viali dei Cipressi for sure when you are in Bolgheri while driving, walking or cycling around.
Oratorio di San Guido
As just mentioned, at the beginning of the beautiful Viali dei Cipressi you can find the Oratorio di San Guido. This temple dates from the early eighteenth century. The Oratorio di San Guido was commissioned by the powerful Gheradesca family. With the temple they wanted to honor the saint Guido, who lived as a hermit in this area in the 11th and 12th centuries. The Oratorio di San Guido is built in a beautiful place and many people say that they can relax here.
The Tenuta di San Guido
The area around Bolgheri has acquired a great reputation and international fame for its delicious wines. The most famous and exclusive wine from this region is the Sassicaia wine. This mouthwatering wine may only be produced by the wine castle named Tenuta di San Guido. You can find this castle on the, how could it be otherwise, Vialli dei Cipressi. The wine was first made in the middle of the last century. Marquis Mario Incisa della Rochetta took grape vines from the Bordeaux region of France in 1944 to plant them on his own land. The grapes also proved to be doing well in Italy and the first Sassicaia wine was eventually made from this. The wine is so popular these days that the cheapest bottles already cost more than 100 euros. The prices of the more expensive bottles of this wine even run into the thousands of euros. The Tenuta di San Guido also produces less expensive wines such as the Bolgheri Sauvignon, Bolgheri Rosato and the Bolgheri Blanco. These wines are also delicious and affordable for everyone. If you’re a wine lover or just interested in what it’s like at a wine castle in Tuscany, a visit to the Tenuta di San Guido is highly recommended.
Castello di Bolgheric
One of the most famous sights in Bolgheri is the imposing Castello di Bolgheri. Like the Oratorio di San Guido, the castle was commissioned by the Gheredasca family. You can also see the coat of arms of this powerful family above the entrance gate of the castle. The castle was built in the thirteenth century and has been extended and renovated several times over the centuries. This has resulted in a very impressive castle that is visible from afar. If you are in Bolgheri you should definitely see this impressive castle from the inside!
Chiesa dei Santo Giacomo e Cristoforo
When you enter the town of Bolgheri through the entrance gate and immediately turn right, you will arrive at the Chiesa dei Santo Giacomo e Cristoforo. This small church is the oldest of all the buildings in Bolgheri. The only part that is still in the traditional style is the facade because the rest of the church was completely renovated in the 19th century. The interior has been given a neo-Gothic style because of this renovation.
In addition to these sights, there are several nice restaurants and bars in Bolgheri where you can relax and eat. Of course, you can also taste the delicious local wines here.
Wines
Wine Village of Bolgheri
Bolgheri is known for the prestigious Sassicaia wine. This mouthwatering wine may only be produced by the wine castle named Tenuta di San Guido. You can find this castle on the Vialli dei Cipressi. But there are also other ‘Super Tuscans’, Tuscan top wines. Those who love wine should certainly not only explore the more north (eastern) Chianti region or the surroundings of Montalcino, but also Bolgheri!
Therefore we have choosen to go into the Bolgheri area. Driving around the area you see so many different winehouses, which winery is absolute worth visiting?
Donna Olimpia 1898
When entering the estate, you will be already amazed of the long lane with hundreds of pine trees. When leaving the estate during sunset the view can be even more beautiful, like painting.
The estate bears the name “Donna Olimpia 1898“. In 1898, Gherardo della Gherardesca gave the name of his wife, Olimpia Alliata, Lady of Biserno, to the estate to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. The estate covers an area of about 60 hectares and is located in the DOC Bolgheri.
Their philosophy is based on excellence, on product quality, on the constant search for self-improvement, and on products typical to an identifiable territory. “Well aware that the earth has its own needs and pace …… that have to be respected”.
But don’t misunderstand me, almost every winery in this area is worth visiting!!
When we arrive in a new place we alway start with talking to the locals and asking them for the best places to go. Well this is the winery list we got from the owners of Trattoria Da Grazia;
- Donna Olympia – Wine Estate
- Micheale Satta – Wine Estate
- Caccia al piano – Wine Estate
- Campo alle comete – Wine Estate
- Rest la Magona – Restaurant
Food
Tuscany’s national dish
Once you are in Bolgheri you must taste Tuscany’s national dish;
Pappardelle al cinghiale – Pappardelle with wild boar saus
Boar meat is super popular that this dish became Tuscany’s national dish. Wild boar are numerous in Tuscany, and the best time and place to see them is at night near cultivated land. Boar love to feed on grapes in the vineyards.
In the little village of Bolgheri there are several shops who sell wild boar products to bring back home. Feeling like wine tasting but not at only one winery? Bulgheri Bistrot is a restaurant and they have a wine shop too. You can taste different wines during your lunch or dinner. If you prefer a real wine tasting, in their shop next to the restaurant they have all the local wines from economical up to super exclusive ones.
