The landscape surrounding the medieval village of Riparbella, which stretches along the southern slopes of Poggio di Nocola just a few miles inland from Tuscany’s Tyrrhenian coastline, is quintessentially Tuscan Maremma. Orderly rows of cypress trees rise as a vertical counterpoint to verdant vineyards, silvery olive groves and pastures where the region’s famed Maremmana cattle graze. In this wild and rugged natural setting lies Tenuta Prima Pietra, the coastal sister of Montalcino-based estate Castiglion del Bosco. Perched on a hill overlooking the sea, the estate spans 200 hectares, 11 of which are devoted to vineyards, while the remainder is cloaked in dense woodland.
The estate is guided by a philosophy of respect for, and harmony with, the environment. At the heart of this philosophy lies the vineyard, planted to four red-grape varieties that thrive in this coastal area of Tuscany: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Sitting at an altitude of 450 metres, Tenuta Prima Pietra’s vineyard is the highest on the entire Tuscan coast. On clear days, it is even possible to enjoy the view of the Elba and Capraia islands from the summit of its sea-facing slopes.
The estate is guided by a philosophy of respect for, and harmony with, the environment
The vineyard lies just over 12 miles north of Bolgheri, yet its microclimate could not be more different. The vines enjoy warmth and full, intense sunlight throughout the growing season. At the same time, however, the altitude and coastal exposure bring sea breezes that help moderate summer temperatures and slow grape maturation (harvest here can be up to two weeks later than in Bolgheri). Together with the vineyard’s natural isolation from other crops, these conditions also contribute to protecting the vineyard from disease and pests, reducing the need for chemical intervention. The higher altitude also creates a pronounced diurnal temperature shift. This ensures a gradual and even ripening of the grapes, crucial for developing rich, layered aromas and remarkable balance in the wine.
A respectful approach to viticulture
The favourable natural environment enabled Tenuta Prima Pietra to adopt a gentle and natural approach to viticulture, which culminated in organic certification in 2016. The vineyard team carries out work entirely by hand, carefully monitoring each vine on a daily basis and providing tailored care according to its specific needs. When interventions are required, they remain minimal and respectful of the soil, relying on estate-produced compost to meet the vineyard’s nutritional needs as naturally as possible.
Maximising the favourable climate, Tenuta Prima Pietra promotes biodiversity by encouraging beneficial insects and sowing a variety of cover crops to restore balance in the vineyard and strengthen the vines. Wildflowers are left to grow freely, while periodic grass-cutting protects the soil and enriches it with organic matter.
The same minimalist approach, respecting both the environment and the estate’s history, guided the creation of the winery itself, restored from an old farmhouse on the property. Here, head winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi shows the same meticulous care for the fruit as the vine-growing team does in the vineyard, fermenting each variety separately at controlled temperatures and using only native yeasts to maximise the grapes’ terroir expression and local character.
Championing the Maremma Toscana
With several grape varieties of outstanding quality at its disposal, Tenuta Prima Pietra embraces the Super-Tuscan tradition, bottling all its wines as IGT Costa Toscana, a designation that guarantees their origin while granting the winemaker the freedom to shape wines with individuality and character.
Prima Pietra is the estate’s flagship wine: a blend of various proportions of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc depending on vintage, each component maturing in French oak barriques for 18 months before the final blend is composed. The result is a wine of both complexity and elegance, a true expression of the terroir. The vineyard’s altitude imparts freshness and depth, while the slow ripening of the grapes translates into remarkable aromatic intensity. Notes of red berries mingle harmoniously with delicate spice, leading to a layered palate defined by richness, softness and dense, velvety tannins.
The wines act as ambassadors for their origin
The Permassimo cuvée is crafted as a tribute to Cabernet Franc’s potential in this terroir. Aged in a combination of barriques and larger tonneaux, it is produced only in the best vintages, with each release limited to around 2,700 bottles. Permassimo represents the pinnacle of Tenuta Prima Pietra’s aromatic expression, releasing an explosion of ripe dark fruits that evolve into a bouquet of violets and spice. On the palate, it carries the estate’s signature freshness, enriched by vibrant layers of flavour, refined tannins and a supple texture.
Completing the lineup is Il Rosso, a linear and refined interpretation of Merlot and a true reflection of its terroir. Elegance combined with accessibility, Il Rosso offers an aromatic bouquet dominated by vibrant notes of wild berries, intertwined with hints of Mediterranean scrub that echo the surrounding landscape.
The wines act as ambassadors for their origin, a unique high-altitude vineyard just a few miles from the Tyrrhenian shore yet right in the wild heart of the Maremma Toscana. The interplay of sunshine, altitude and sea breezes, together with Tenuta Prima Pietra’s care for each individual vine, yields grapes of rare quality, giving rise to wines of freshness, depth and elegance.
