Meet Tenuta Fratini: A New Voice in Bolgheri
A new-generation producer combining art, innovation and terroir to shape the future of the region.
We are excited to welcome Tenuta Fratini into our portfolio for 2026. A standout producer relatively new on the scene, having started in 2016, they produce incredible wines from Bolgheri. Set amongst the Tuscan hills, Bolgheri is famed for its top-quality Super Tuscan wines, traditionally made as Bordeaux blends.
The estate is in a fantastic location, just south of properties such as Tenuta San Guido of Sassicaia, benefitting from both coastal and altitude influences. Situated just 2 km from the sea and at elevations between 50 and 300 metres, the vineyards enjoy a unique microclimate. This location allows for excellent sun exposure while shielding the vines from strong winds, with cooling coastal breezes tempering extreme temperatures.
Fratini spent three years analysing and mapping the land using state-of-the-art technology to fully understand their terroir and work optimally with their environment when planting. Through electromagnetic conductivity, they were able to assess soil type, texture, and moisture retention, allowing them to select the most promising plots. The estate has been divided into micro-parcels for an even more focused approach, enabling customised rootstock and clone pairings alongside individual care and maintenance.
They have identified 85 lieux-dits, grouped into three climats, to showcase terroir identity and utilise the incredible diversity of their micro-territories. Tenuta Fratini say they “don’t follow trends or replicate what Bolgheri already offers,” but instead aim to present a new definition of what the region can deliver through precision grape growing and winemaking. They are true pioneers in the study of micro-terroir expression within Bolgheri.
Winemaking and Expertise
Winemaking is an art at Tenuta Fratini, where innovation and tradition are perfectly balanced to produce wines that truly express their land and heritage. This philosophy is reflected not only in their wines but also throughout the vineyards, where sculptures are scattered across the property, including exclusive works by Camilla Bacherini.
The estate benefits from exceptional expertise, working with renowned French oenologist Eric Boissenot, previously associated with Lafite, Latour, Mouton, and Margaux. They are also supported by expert agronomist Xavier Choné, who hails from the grand soils of Bordeaux, and Pedro Parra, a world-renowned Chilean wine consultant famed for his research into deep planting.
Tenuta Fratini: This wine pays homage to the ancient roots and traditions that have shaped the region over the centuries. The name Clinio, of Etruscan origin, recalls the timeless elegance and sophistication of Bolgheri. It also traces its roots to Greek and Latin origins; from the Greek kleíō (κλείω), meaning “renowned” or “celebrated,” evoking a legacy of excellence and greatness.
Described as their debut wine, Clinio offers excellent value for money as a Toscana IGT. Made from a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, it expresses a harmonious balance of fruit, power, and structure. Elegant in its youth, it shows bright, crunchy red fruit balanced by savoury woodland notes, while also possessing great potential for further development.
The grapes are grown at elevations of 80–150 metres, facing the sea to gain freshness and salinity. Fermentation is spontaneous in steel conical tanks, followed by 12 months in barriques. The resulting wine is beautiful to enjoy now or to cellar for continued evolution.
95 Points, Wine Enthusiast
94 Points, Luca Maroni
91 Points, Falstaff
Tenuta Fratini: In the heart of the estate, the inherent fusion of art and winemaking is proudly celebrated. Among the lush vineyards, statues stand majestically as guardians of the craft, adding beauty and sophistication to the landscape. Just as a work of art reflects an artist’s vision, these wines express the creativity, experience, and dedication of the winemakers.
A tribute to the connection between art and wine, this cuvée expresses itself with the grace of a piece of art. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, it undergoes spontaneous fermentation in steel tanks before ageing for 16 months in second- and third-use barriques. The grapes are grown on north-facing slopes at 150–210 metres, on soils rich in limestone and schist, allowing the wine to develop finesse and subtle Mediterranean character.
The resulting wine shows vibrant, ripe forest fruit, with freshness derived from herbal notes and vivid acidity, creating an elegantly complex balance between fruit and savoury elements. Showing brilliantly now, it also promises to improve further with time.
96 Points, Wine Enthusiast
97 Points, Falstaff
96 Points, James Suckling
Hortense Bolgheri Superiore DOC
Tenuta Fratini: Inspired by the extraordinary life of Hortense de la Gándara, a figure shrouded in charm and mystery. A Spanish noblewoman with a French upbringing, this wine embodies her journey across eras and continents.
The top wine in the range, Hortense is a wine worthy of investment. The blend leans more heavily towards Cabernet Franc, with fermentation in steel tanks followed by 16 months of ageing in second- and third-use oak. The bush-trained vines are grown at elevations of 180–235 metres on volcanic rhyolite soils, bringing a rich earthiness to the wine.
A truly Mediterranean character emerges, with notes of bay leaf and caper. This vintage delivers remarkable balance: the nose is refined and complex, showing hints of volcanic minerality, black fruit, blackberry, and a salty marine note, with a touch of lavender closing the aromatic profile. On the palate, it offers great fullness and balance — a wine that combines strength with freshness, delivering weightless power that is vigorous yet subtle. Fine tannins add volume, while the long finish returns notes of myrtle, caper, and Mediterranean scrub.
97 Points, Wine Enthusiast
96 Points, Falstaff
96 Points, James Suckling
Italian Wine of the Year, China Wine Competition
By Molly Newport, Senior Wine Buyer
