Belguardo Rosé 2023
Country
Italy
Region
Tuscany
Grape Varieties
Sangiovese, Syrah, Vermentino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Wine Types
Still, Rose, Red, White
About Belguardo
Belguardo is a Tuscan wine estate in Maremma, Italy, owned by the Mazzei family and located between Grosseto and Montiano, close to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Known for Vermentino, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Mediterranean red blends. Belguardo brings the Mazzei family’s long winemaking experience into one of Tuscany’s most dynamic coastal regions. The estate’s combination of sea influence, sandstone and limestone-rich soils, south to south-west exposures and research-led vineyard work gives Belguardo a distinctive place within modern Tuscan wine.
The Mazzei family is closely linked to the history of Tuscan wine, with documented family history dating back to the early eleventh century and long-standing ownership of Castello di Fonterutoli in Chianti Classico. Belguardo represents a later chapter in that history, extending the family’s work beyond inland Tuscany into the coastal conditions of Maremma.
Heritage
Mazzei family expertise in coastal Tuscany
The estate was purchased in the mid-1990s after the Mazzei family identified its potential for producing high-quality wines from both local and international grape varieties. Their approach at Belguardo follows the same philosophy applied across their estates: respect for place, careful research, and continuous improvement in both vineyard and cellar.
A Maremma estate shaped by innovation
From the beginning, Belguardo was treated as a research-led project. The Mazzei family introduced an intensive replanting programme, selecting grape varieties and clones suited to the estate’s coastal climate and soils.
Alongside international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, the family also invested in work around an ancient local strain of Sangiovese found in older vineyards around Scansano. This focus gives Belguardo an identity that is both international in outlook and firmly rooted in Maremma’s local viticultural heritage.
Region and Vineyards
In the heart of Maremma
Belguardo is situated in the Tuscan Maremma, between the hills of Grosseto and Montiano, within the official Morellino di Scansano viticultural zone. The estate is close to the Tyrrhenian Sea, whose influence is central to the vineyard microclimate.
The coastal position brings cooling breezes and thermal currents, particularly during spring and summer. The climate is characterised by low humidity, lower-than-average rainfall for the area and a high rate of evaporation and plant transpiration. This helps reduce disease pressure, encourage healthy grapes and support full ripening while preserving aromatic clarity.
Soils, altitude and vineyard layout
The estate’s vineyards are planted on south and south-west facing slopes, with altitudes varying across the property. The soils are marked by sandstone and Alberese, the limestone-clay mix widely associated with high-quality Tuscan vineyards. Their structure ranges from medium-textured soils with good water retention to lighter, sandy soils with strong drainage.
This varied soil profile allows Belguardo to cultivate a broad range of grape varieties successfully. Sangiovese, Alicante, Ciliegiolo and Vermentino bring regional identity, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah respond well to the warm, dry coastal conditions. Planting densities range from 5,500 to 6,600 vines per hectare, supporting concentration and precision.
Viticulture and Winemaking
Vineyard selection and clonal research
Belguardo’s vineyard work is based on matching each grape variety to the right soil, exposure and microclimate. The replanting programme carried out after the Mazzei family purchased the estate was central to this, allowing the team to select suitable clones and refine vineyard layout according to the estate’s diverse conditions.
The research into old Sangiovese strains from Scansano reflects a desire to build quality from within the region rather than simply impose an external model. This is important for Maremma, a region capable of producing both polished international-style wines and wines with a clear Tuscan identity.
Precision in the cellar
Winemaking at Belguardo is focused on preserving the estate’s combination of concentration, elegance and aromatic character. The warm coastal climate can give generous fruit and structure, while careful vineyard management and measured cellar work help retain freshness and definition.
Red wines are handled to express depth, ripe tannins and Mediterranean complexity without excessive heaviness. Vermentino is vinified to preserve freshness, mineral character and coastal salinity, while rosé production highlights the estate’s ability to produce fruit-driven, gastronomic wines with structure and poise.
Style of Wine
Belguardo produces still red, white and rosé wines from Maremma. The red wines include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Alicante and Ciliegiolo expressions, ranging from approachable regional wines to more structured, age-worthy bottlings. They typically show ripe dark fruit, Mediterranean herbs, spice, polished tannins and freshness from coastal influence.
The white wines, led by Vermentino, show citrus, stone fruit, savoury minerality and a clean, saline finish. The rosé wines combine fruit, freshness and structure, making them particularly suitable for food-led listings.
A Maremma benchmark in the UK wine trade
Belguardo offers an alternative range of wine from Tuscany. Vermentino works well for by-the-glass and seafood-led listings, while rosé supports aperitif and casual dining occasions. The Cabernet and Sangiovese-led reds add depth for Italian wine lists, steak pairings and customers seeking coastal Tuscan wines beyond Chianti Classico.
