Where to taste Cabernet Franc in Tuscany: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.

Cabernet Franc estates in Tuscany

Marchesi Antinori ★ 4.9

Chianti Classico DOCG and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot270 haFounded 1385Antinori family (Marchese Piero Antinori, chairman emeritus; Albiera Antinori, president)Winemaker Renzo CotarellaChianti Classico DOCG

The Antinori family has produced wine in Tuscany since 1385. Anchored by the Tignanello estate in Chianti Classico, the parent house also owns Bolgheri's Guado al Tasso under a separate producer slug.

Tasting: Antinori nel Chianti Classico cellar at Bargino offers visits, tastings and the Rinuccio 1180 restaurant; multi-tier tasting programmes by reservation.

Signature wines: tignanello, solaia, marchese-antinori-chianti-classico-riserva, villa-antinori-chianti-classico-riserva

Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2019), Vinous 96 (2019)

Tenuta San Guido ★ 5.0

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC (single-estate DOC, established 1994)Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc90 haFounded 1944Incisa della Rocchetta family (Marchese Nicolo Incisa della Rocchetta, president)Winemaker Carlo Paoli (estate manager) with Graziana Grassini consultingBolgheri Sassicaia DOC

The Bolgheri estate where Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted Bordeaux cuttings in 1944. First released as Sassicaia 1968; awarded its own Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC in 1994.

Tasting: Strictly limited visits; the estate prioritises trade and allocation customers. Public access is rare.

Signature wines: sassicaia, guidalberto, le-difese

Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (1985)

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia ★ 4.9

Bolgheri Superiore DOC and Toscana IGTCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc115 haFounded 1981Frescobaldi family (acquired full ownership 2005)Winemaker Marco Balsimelli (estate director); Olga Fusari, head winemakerICEABolgheri DOC

Bolgheri estate founded by Lodovico Antinori in 1981 and fully owned by Frescobaldi since 2005. Bordeaux-cloned reds with Masseto and Ornellaia as flagships; the estate is ICEA-organic certified.

Tasting: Cellar tours, vineyard walks and tutored tastings by appointment; the Vendemmia d'Artista label programme is on display at the cellar.

Signature wines: ornellaia, le-volte-dell-ornellaia, ornellaia-bianco, le-serre-nuove-dell-ornellaia

Scores: Wine Spectator 96 (1998), Wine Advocate 98 (2015)

Tenuta Guado al Tasso ★ 4.8

Bolgheri Superiore DOC and Toscana IGTCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Vermentino, Syrah320 haFounded 1990Marchesi Antinori (the Antinori family's Bolgheri estate, separate producer slug from Marchesi Antinori in Chianti Classico)Winemaker Renzo Cotarella (Antinori chief winemaker); Pierluigi Talamo, estate directorBolgheri DOC

Antinori's Bolgheri estate, established as a standalone vineyard in 1990 from the family's 1932 land purchase. 320 hectares; Guado al Tasso Superiore is flagship.

Tasting: Cellar visits, vineyard walks and the Osteria Magona village kitchen at Bolgheri; bookings via the Antinori hospitality desk.

Signature wines: guado-al-tasso, il-bruciato, scalabrone, matarocchio

Scores: Wine Advocate 97 (2015), Vinous 97 (2018)

Le Macchiole ★ 4.8

Bolgheri DOC and Toscana IGTCabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese22 haFounded 1983Cinzia Merli and family (widow of co-founder Eugenio Campolmi)Winemaker Cinzia Merli with Luca d'Attoma consultingCCPBBolgheri DOC

Family estate founded 1983 by Eugenio Campolmi; Cinzia Merli has led the property since his death in 2002. Single-varietal Cabernet Franc (Paleo), Merlot (Messorio) and Syrah (Scrio) bottlings; CCPB-organic certified.

Tasting: Cellar visits and tutored tastings by appointment; vegan vinification practices used since 2014.

Signature wines: le-macchiole-paleo-rosso, le-macchiole-messorio, le-macchiole-scrio, le-macchiole-bolgheri-rosso

Scores: Wine Advocate 97 (2015), Vinous 96 (2019)

Tenuta di Capezzana ★ 4.7

Carmignano DOCG and Vin Santo di Carmignano DOCSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Canaiolo, Trebbiano Toscano, San Colombano96 haFounded 1920Contini Bonacossi familyWinemaker Benedetta Contini BonacossiICEACarmignano DOCG

Contini Bonacossi family estate at Carmignano with vineyard records back to 804 AD on the property. Wine production formalised in 1920; certified organic and a Carmignano DOCG benchmark.

Tasting: Cellar tours, Vin Santo vinsantaia visits, vineyard walks and on-site agriturismo accommodation; certified organic.

Signature wines: capezzana-villa-di-capezzana, capezzana-trefiano-riserva, capezzana-vin-santo-di-carmignano-riserva

Scores: Wine Advocate 93 (2018), Vinous 93 (2018)

Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni ★ 4.5

Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot110 haFounded 1100Frescobaldi family (Marchesi Frescobaldi)Winemaker Niccolo d'AfflittoChianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG

The Frescobaldi family's oldest property, in continuous family ownership since the 11th century. 110 hectares of vines in Montespertoli; Giramonte is the Bordeaux-blended IGT flagship.

Tasting: Cellar visits, vineyard walks and tasting flights at the Castiglioni manor; Tenuta di Castiglioni is the historical Frescobaldi family property.

Signature wines: castiglioni-giramonte, castiglioni-chianti, castiglioni-tenuta-di-castiglioni

Scores: Wine Advocate 95 (2019), Vinous 93 (2018)

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