the Vineyards

Tenuta San Leonardo, an ancient walled settlement, extends over almost 300 hectares of what was once a medieval fief. About 20 of those hectares are planted to vine on fairly loose-packed hillside soil. The vines face north-south at between 150 and 200 metres above sea level. Higher up, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown on sandy soil while Merlot has found a welcoming home on the pebbly soil slightly lower down.

Training systems vary. Some of the vine stock is trained over the traditional "pergola Trentina" trellises and the rest is pruned to the modern, rational Guyot system, which is less productive but more suitable for producing wines with good concentration. Tenuta San Leonardo was the first estate to introduce the Guyot system of cane pruning into the province of Trento. The age of the vines ranges from 10 to 25 years and planting densities vary from 4,000 to 5,500 vines per hectare. The traditional local varieties are Lambrusco a foglia tonda, Marzemino and Teroldego but for our wine quality project we have opted for the classic grapes of the Haut Médoc and Bordeaux blending.

The varieties planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. These grapes go into San Leonardo in the respective proportions of 60%, 30% and 10%. We are particularly satisfied with the results we have achieved from Cabernet Franc, which on the Tenuta San Leonardo terroir ripens to perfection and acquires a markedly less green, rustic personality than usual. It is Cabernet Franc that gives our wine such longevity and elegance.