When Marchese Mario Incisa della Rochetta planted some Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet
Franc vine trimmings that he’d acquired from his friends at Château Lafite-Rothschild in Bordeaux
during WWII it was the beginning of something truly momentous in Italian wine.
This was the humble beginnings of what became their leading wine
— named “Sassicaia” or “rocky place” in Italian — becoming one of Italy’s most iconic wines,
now known as the first Super Tuscan. Going on to win a Decanter Magazine
tasting of Bordeaux-style wines in 1978. At the time, Italian wines were seen as rustic
and basic by much of the wine world. Not any more!