Genius Loci
TIME HAS A PLACE
The Genius loci is the spirit of a place that is unique in its character. If no one disturbs it, the spirit of the place lives on forever. It acquires the most fascinating forms in the vineyards of Tenuta San Guido: from the ancient olive trees to the centuries-old oaks, to the pebbly or jagged stones and all around the Mediterranean shrubland, with its scents, its fragrance, the suggestions that this place arouses.
Agricultural Heritage
“Nature responds to mankind with gratitude for the care it receives.”
Mario Incisa sees nature as his friend and works with it. In his book "La terra è viva" (The Earth is Alive), which deals with agricultural science, one can understand his preference for small, isolated, stony, marginal sloping areas, the right terroir, in his opinion, to produce a great wine.
Architectural Heritage
Historic buildings dialoguing with the present
Tenuta San Guido is the place where one rediscovers the tranquility of a suspended time: the Genius loci is its breath, the perfect integration of different styles, and its language.
The Genius loci resides in the space of a single property where different motifs and styles coexist, perfectly integrated: the architecture of the old dwellings, the work buildings, the stables, and the cellars, almost hidden in their functional grandeur, right up to the mediaeval fortress of Castiglioncello di Bolgheri.
The Genius loci resides in the space of a single property where different motifs and styles coexist, perfectly integrated: the architecture of the old dwellings, the work buildings, the stables, and the cellars, almost hidden in their functional grandeur, right up to the mediaeval fortress of Castiglioncello di Bolgheri.
History
Entrepreneurial morality
The move to Bolgheri and the first intuitions
After his marriage to Clarice della Gherardesca, Mario Incisa started going to Bolgheri with his family for the summer holidays, but after the war he began to look at this land with different eyes and to think about a definitive move to Bolgheri. The first thing to do was to reorganise the Tenuta San Guido, and little by little he managed to set up a direct economy and started a rational production of soft wheat, fruit and vegetables for the Swiss market and gladiolus plant bulbs for Europe and America. He also produced fodder for cattle and for breeding racehorses, which he decided to transfer entirely to Bolgheri. We are at the dawn of the integrated economy that is still the basis of the processes in every sector of Tenuta San Guido.
Territory
Knowing how to observe and look far ahead
A territory stretching 13 km from the sea to the hills
Mario Incisa soon realised that the vast terrain extends from the sea to the hills. Not unnoticed were the lean hillside vineyards, little more than farm gardens, which held great promise for their position and terrain. He was impressed by that strip of land with a special ground, a mixture of sand and clay, which runs on both sides along the cypress avenue. This part of the farm would soon become a magnificent training track for thoroughbreds.
Territory
Ancient knowledge
TRADITIONAL CROPS
The Genius Loci dwells in the traditional crops of wheat, oats and pulses, which are essential to sustain a conscientious economy. It thrives and progresses, making the land fertile, generating fodder for animals, hay for horses as well as rich and generous soils.
Territory
Architecture
The Castle of Castiglioncello di Bolgheri
In the Middle Ages, when Castiglioncello was built, supposedly around 780, it was known as 'Monte Oliveto'. Its position made it at first a perfect hermitage and later a fortress that was difficult to conquer.
It changed hands many times during its existence, often belonging to the Counts della Gherardesca until the 15th century, and then passed to the Soderini and Incontri families.
Count Cammillo della Gherardesca bought it back in 1801 from the Incontri, marquises of Volterra, who had in turn bought it from the Monte di Pietà of Florence, with which the Soderini family, owners of Castiglioncello since 1441, had contracted an unpayable debt.
Evidence of the journey of these families over the centuries can be found in the baptismal font of the church of San Bernardo, and in the frame of the door, both bearing the Incontri and Soderini coats of arms engraved in stone. These are also found in the armoury, painted between the coats of arms of all the previous owners.
The multi-faceted Castello di Castiglioncello was used as the cellar for the first Sassicaia vineyard, which lies beneath it.
It changed hands many times during its existence, often belonging to the Counts della Gherardesca until the 15th century, and then passed to the Soderini and Incontri families.
Count Cammillo della Gherardesca bought it back in 1801 from the Incontri, marquises of Volterra, who had in turn bought it from the Monte di Pietà of Florence, with which the Soderini family, owners of Castiglioncello since 1441, had contracted an unpayable debt.
Evidence of the journey of these families over the centuries can be found in the baptismal font of the church of San Bernardo, and in the frame of the door, both bearing the Incontri and Soderini coats of arms engraved in stone. These are also found in the armoury, painted between the coats of arms of all the previous owners.
The multi-faceted Castello di Castiglioncello was used as the cellar for the first Sassicaia vineyard, which lies beneath it.
Territory
Religious buildings
The Oratory of San Guido
The building depicted on the Guidalberto label is located at the end of Bolgheri's cypress avenue. It was built by Simone Maria della Gherardesca in 1703 in honour of Guido della Gherardesca (Pisa, 1060 - Pisa, 20 May 1140 † Blessed), and was carried out by the master stonemason Romolo della Bella, originally from Fiesole, Florence.
The idea was to provide the area with an oratory for the fulfilment of the festive precept, especially during the period of large-scale work, when stops had to be kept to a minimum due to the costs and dangers of malaria.
Moreover, the construction would have brought decorum and a certain benefit to the career of his nephew Tommaso, who had already become vicar general in 1700 and Bishop of Fiesole in 1702. A few months after the construction of the church, on 12 November 1703, Bishop Tommaso Bonaventura was in fact appointed Archbishop of Florence.
The idea was to provide the area with an oratory for the fulfilment of the festive precept, especially during the period of large-scale work, when stops had to be kept to a minimum due to the costs and dangers of malaria.
Moreover, the construction would have brought decorum and a certain benefit to the career of his nephew Tommaso, who had already become vicar general in 1700 and Bishop of Fiesole in 1702. A few months after the construction of the church, on 12 November 1703, Bishop Tommaso Bonaventura was in fact appointed Archbishop of Florence.
Method
Observing and dialoguing with all things
Everybody at Tenuta San Guido contributes to the responsible preservation of the ecosystem, respecting nature, biodiversity, and integrated agriculture. Pursuing quality means valuing nature and drawing all the best from it.
Working in the stable
Working in the vineyard
Working in the carpentry
Working in the cellar
Working in the wildlife refuge
Working in the mechanical workshop