Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia)
The founding Super Tuscan. A Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc Bordeaux blend grown in coastal Bolgheri — the wine that proved Tuscany could produce world-class non-Sangiovese reds.
About Tenuta
Tenuta San Guido produces Sassicaia — the wine that founded the Super Tuscan category and changed the trajectory of Italian fine wine in the late 20th century. Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Cabernet Sauvignon in coastal Bolgheri in the 1940s — a then-radical decision in a region traditionally dominated by Sangiovese and considered unsuited to French varieties. The first commercial release of Sassicaia was in 1968 (the 1968 vintage), and the wine’s rise was meteoric: by the 1980s it was being compared to Bordeaux First Growths, and the 1985 vintage scored 100 points from Wine Spectator and helped establish the modern Italian premium wine market. The DOC “Bolgheri Sassicaia” is unique — it applies only to wines made by this single estate from this specific terroir. The grand vin is Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated (typically 80-85%) with Cabernet Franc and minor Merlot/Petit Verdot.
Flagship wines
- Sassicaia (Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC)
- Guidalberto (Bolgheri DOC)
- Le Difese (Toscana IGT)
Editorial notes
Sassicaia 1985 is one of the most historically important Italian vintages — it elevated the entire Italian wine industry to international premium tier. The Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC is monopolio (single-estate appellation) — only Tenuta San Guido produces it.