Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Lodovico Antinori and is now one of Italy’s most respected wineries. Being one of the early settlers in the region, Ornellaia are one of the few producers to actually own vineyards in the foothills. Bolgheri is a unique place – it’s close proximity to the ocean means less cloud and a higher level of reflected light from the sea, magnifying the solar intensity. The coastal flatlands also experience much higher winds, which creates a fluctuation between hot days and cool nights, locking in the grapes’ acidity, while giving the fruit great concentration and ripeness.

For the 14th edition of Ornellaia Vendemmia d’Artista, Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg have interpreted the “Il Vigore” character of Ornellaia 2019, chosen to describe the energy of plant growth and the flourishing condition of nature that transforms itself, giving life to a landscape of energy, strength and power. As with every edition, the artists created a collection of large formats: 100 Double Magnums (3L), 10 Imperials (6L) and a single Salmanazar (9L). Djurberg and Berg also created a special label for the 750 ml format: each case of Ornellaia 2019 contains one bottle with the artists’ label.

The Artists: Nathalie Djurberg & Hans Berg
The Swedish artists Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg have been working together since 2004. Using different media and techniques to focus on the intersection of images, sounds, animation and music, they create multisensory works with a strong emotional impact. In their imaginary, fairy-tale world, lively stop-motion animations dramatized by Hans Berg’s music are fragments of memories and dreams that unfold a carnival-like overturning of characters and reversal of roles.

Weather: 2019 was characterized by a very variable climate, with alternating periods of cold and rain and long periods of drought and heat. After a fickle spring and an almost perfect summer, the drop in temperature in late September resulted in wines of great finesse and aromatic richness.

Technical Information:
Grape Varieties: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot & 3% Cabernet Franc
Region: Tuscany
Sub Region: Bolgheri
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Production: 12,000 bottles

Tasting Note: Ornellaia 2019 has a bouquet full of intriguing spicy and balsamic notes, including aromas of black pepper, sage and aromatic herbs.The wine is both full-bodied and vibrant in the mouth, filling the palate with its dense and elegant tannic texture and ending with a persistent and beautifully crisp finish.

Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Lodovico Antinori and is now one of Italy’s most respected wineries. Based in the Tuscan foothills of Bolgheri, it neighbours both Sassicaia (the first ‘Super-Tuscan’ estate to start producing a Bordeaux blend in Italy) and Masseto (Italy’s top Merlot, which until 2019 was produced at Ornellaia).

Being one of the early settlers in the region, Ornellaia are one of the few producers to actually own vineyards in the foothills. Bolgheri is a unique place – it’s close proximity to the ocean means less cloud and a higher level of reflected light from the sea, magnifying the solar intensity. The coastal flatlands also experience much higher winds, which creates a fluctuation between hot days and cool nights, locking in the grapes’ acidity, while giving the fruit great concentration and ripeness.

At Ornellaia, every plot is individually assessed, picked and matured in oak for 12 months before the final blending takes place. Within one vineyard alone the four varieties, eight different rootstocks and multiple geological fault-lines provide a complex palette of expressions to choose from. The estate now produces seven wines in total. It’s top wine – the eponymously titled Ornellaia – is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Axel Heinz has been the winemaker at Ornellaia since 2005.