Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia 2020 Launches with a Special Chef Ambassador Project

The name Ornellaia is synonymous with fine winemaking and an authentic expression of the beauty of Tuscany. Situated along the Tuscan coastline, a short distance from the medieval town of Bolgheri, the iconic wine estate is home to Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore and Ornellaia Bianco, as well as second vin Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, Le Volte dell’Ornellaia and the white Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia, the 2020 vintage of which makes its debut this September, along with the Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia Ambassadors book project that pays homage to this beautiful wine. 

Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia owes its elegant Mediterranean style to the special microclimate that distinguishes the Ornellaia estate. The 2020 vintage was characterized by a rainy yet mild winter. “The earlier harvest and the absence of particular water stress, due to the water reserves accumulated in June, enabled the grapes to convey all their hallmark aromas, especially the Sauvignon Blanc,” said Ornellaia Estate Director Axel Heinz of this particular wine. Heinz admits that in Tuscany, wine is often regarded as red by definition. “And yet with a clear vision, patient research into the best soil and aspect, a suitable selection of the varieties to be planted and a constant commitment to cultivating the vines with care and attention, we are certain that the genius loci of this unique land can also be conveyed in the straw yellow color of our white wines.”

“With this bright straw yellow color, Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia 2020 displays beautiful aromatic complexity on the nose: woodland and white flowers, accompanied by white peach, sage and herbal notes, are released in the glass,” said winemaker Olga Fusari. “On tasting, the wine fills the palate with elegance and decisiveness, showing the right balance between freshness, acidity and density. The finish is vibrant, lasting and on the savory side.” 

Olga Fusari

Fusari’s winemaking and aging must support rather the balance that distinguishes Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia, in addition to accentuating the texture, without making it heavier. In so doing, the bright colors and refined aromas are kept intact. The practical winemaking choices are aimed at acquiring additional balance, layers of complexity that allow the wine to withstand the test of time and reveal its deepest soul and the ultimate expression of the terroir with the passing of the years. The wine is made by gently pressing the grapes, followed by the decision to decant and allow half the wine to age in steel tanks, while the remaining half ages in barriques. The wine subsequently spends six months on the lees with bâtonnage.

Chefs Daniele and Andrea Zazzeri of La Pineta in Marina di Bibbona

The release of the 2020 vintage is accompanied by the Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia Ambassadors book project whereby culinary ambassadors from throughout Italy have been selected for their creativity and for the quality of their dishes that pair brilliantly with Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia. Each recipe is an homage to the Mediterranean Sea and Italian excellence.Taking part in the project are Daniele and Andrea Zazzeri, La Pineta in Marina di Bibbona; Gennaro Esposito, La Torre del Saracino in Vico Equense; Andrea Migliaccio and Salvatore Elefante, Il Riccio in Capri; Emanuele Riccobono, Ristorante Zagara in Sciacca; Pietro d’Agostino, La Capinera in Taormina; Enzo Florio, Da Tuccino in Polignano a Mare; Roberto Gatto, Cip’s Club in Venice; Domenico Soranno, Langosteria in Paraggi; and finally, Antonio Colaianni, Ristorante Ornellaia in Zurich. 

Chef Gennaro Esposito of La Torre del Saracino in Vico Equense

Chefs Andrea Migliaccio and Salvatore Elefante of Il Riccio in Capri

Chef Emanuele Riccobono of Ristorante Zagara in Sciacca

Chef Pietro d’Agostino of La Capinera in Taormina

Chef Enzo Florio of Da Tuccino in Polignano a Mare

Chef Roberto Gatto of Cip’s Club in Venice

Chef Domenico Soranno of Langosteria in Paraggi

Chef Antonio Colaianni of Ristorante Ornellaia in Zurich

Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia 2020 will be available in the U.S. market in September, and is imported exclusively into the U.S. by VINTUS at a suggested retail price of $82.

Photos courtesy of Ornellaia