Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Villa Donoratico comes from a 12-hectare vineyard area beyond Viale dei Pini and Villa Serristori, where the dry summer landscape meets the cooling influence of dense vegetation. The vines are predominantly north-facing, with a small south-facing portion, at 30–80 metres a.s.l. Lower ground is formed from continental sands; farther uphill the soils become transitional and increasingly rich in Lower Cretaceous flysch. Limestone, marl and shale are interspersed with sandstone and siliceous rock. Planting density is 6,000 vines per hectare and yield is 70 quintals of grapes per hectare.
Grapes
Blend proportions vary by vintage. Latest published vintage (2024): 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested manually. Alcoholic fermentation and maceration take place for 25 days at a controlled 28–30°C in stainless-steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation is also completed in stainless steel.
Ageing
The wine matures for 12 months in 500-litre French and Austrian oak tonneaux, then spends six months in bottle.
Tasting profile
The palate develops with vibrant aromatic momentum. Fresh mint and an intriguing wild note of Mediterranean scrub accompany the wine’s mineral character, reflecting the transition from sandy to rocky hillside soils.
Vintage notes
The 2024 season was complex, with substantial downy-mildew pressure and an intense heat episode in late July. A mild, wet winter delivered 550 mm of rain between the end of the 2023 harvest and 1 April 2024, encouraging early, even budbreak. Heavy spring rain subsequently slowed the vegetative cycle, while favourable flowering conditions in May produced well-aerated bunches and even ripening. After an unstable June, dry conditions from mid-June to early September created beneficial water stress and concentrated polyphenols. Approximately 70 mm of rain in early September restored vine water balance without compromising grape health. Harvest ran from 5 September through the first days of October, allowing each variety to reach full maturity while retaining soundness, freshness and aromatic precision. The grapes showed delicate aromas and notable elegance.
Label / history
The wine honours the Serristori family, who acquired Donoratico in 1512 and built the Villa in 1660. The family subsequently played an important role in scientific, agricultural and social development.
