Poggio al Tesoro

Poggio al Tesoro is located in Bolgheri, in the province of Livorno, within the Bolgheri DOC and Bolgheri Superiore DOC appellations. The estate covers about 70 hectares split across four plots: two along the Via Bolgherese, one in the Le Sondraie area very close to the sea, and one in the municipality of Bibbona. The area is sheltered to the east by the hills of Castagneto Carducci, with Mediterranean scrubland vegetation, and has notably varied soils, which guide the choice of grape variety planted on each individual plot.

The project began with Walter Allegrini, a veteran Valpolicella winemaker, who from 2003 started planting the Poggio al Tesoro vineyards in Bolgheri, drawn to the potential of this territory. Poggio al Tesoro is now part of the Allegrini family's group of estates, led by Marilisa Allegrini, and grew out of an in-depth study of local soils and climate that identified the grape varieties best suited to the different pedoclimatic conditions of each plot.

The winery built its project on a thorough preliminary study of soil and climate, choosing the most suitable variety for each plot: in the sandy, stone-rich soils, varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc predominate, capable of expressing concentration and power, while the clay and mineral-rich soils are given over to Merlot, grown for elegance and aromatic character. This plot-by-plot approach reflects the pursuit of uniqueness that guides the estate's entire viticultural project.

Among Poggio al Tesoro's labels, Sondraia stands out — a Bolgheri Superiore DOC made mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, hand-harvested and aged for 18 months in French Allier oak barriques, some new. It is the winery's most recognized wine, expressing notes of aromatic herbs, forest berries and cherry, with a savory palate and fresh balsamic hints, consistent with the Mediterranean identity of the Bolgheri territory.

Yes: Poggio al Tesoro's Sondraia has earned Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia guide for six consecutive vintages, the guide's top award, with the 2016 vintage described as particularly notable for its intensity of dark fruit and Mediterranean scrub notes. The same label has also scored 95/100 from Decanter magazine, confirming international critical recognition for the Allegrini family's project in Bolgheri.