Prima Pietra 2020
Country
Italy
Region
Tuscany
Grape Varieties
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Sustainability
Organic Certification
Wine Types
Still, Red
About Tenuta Prima Pietra
Tenuta Prima Pietra is a coastal Tuscan estate in Riparbella, north of Bolgheri in Maremma, Italy, known for Toscana IGT red wine from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Set at 450 metres above sea level, it is recognised as the highest vineyard on the Tuscan coast, with sea breezes, strong light and day-night temperature variation shaping slow ripening and aromatic definition. Tenuta Prima Pietra’s range offers a polished Super Tuscan proposition with organic certification, limited vineyard scale and a clear coastal identity.
Tenuta Prima Pietra forms part of the wider Castiglion del Bosco story, developed under Massimo Ferragamo’s ownership alongside the Montalcino estate. While Castiglion del Bosco is rooted in Sangiovese and Brunello di Montalcino, Prima Pietra looks west towards the Tuscan coast, bringing a different expression of Tuscany through Bordeaux varieties and maritime influence.
Heritage
The estate lies near the medieval village of Riparbella, a few kilometres from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its name, Prima Pietra, suggests a first stone or foundation, reflecting the idea of creating a distinctive coastal estate from a highly specific site rather than following an established regional formula.
Region and Vineyards
Riparbella and the highest vineyard on the Tuscan coast
Prima Pietra covers around 200 hectares, of which 11 hectares are planted to vines. The rest of the estate is largely forest and Mediterranean scrub, giving the vineyard natural isolation from other crops and supporting biodiversity. The vineyard sits on a hill overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, with views towards Elba and Capraia on clear days.
Altitude is central to the estate’s character. At 450 metres above sea level, the vineyard benefits from full coastal light, cooling sea breezes and significant temperature shifts between day and night. These conditions slow the ripening of the grapes, helping preserve freshness and develop more refined aromas in a warm Mediterranean climate.
The soils are rich in stones, iron clays and minerals, with deep reserves that help support the vines during dry summer months. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted to express this coastal Maremma site through structure, ripeness, freshness and mineral detail.
Viticulture and Winemaking
Organic vineyard work
Tenuta Prima Pietra follows an organic approach, with certification obtained in 2016 after a conversion process that began in 2014. The vines are trained using Guyot, and vineyard work is carried out with minimal intervention and close attention to each plant. Green manure and estate-produced compost are used to support soil nutrition naturally.
The estate’s windy, elevated position helps reduce disease pressure, limiting the need for pest defence. Manual work in the vineyard is central to the philosophy, with each plot managed according to its own needs. The aim is to preserve the identity of the site while allowing the fruit to reach full maturity without excess.
Separate vinification and native yeasts
Winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi oversees the vineyard and cellar. The varieties are fermented separately at controlled temperature, allowing each grape to retain its aromatic profile and structural identity. Native yeasts are used to preserve a closer link between fruit, place and vintage.
The cellar was created within a centuries-old farmhouse and renovated into a modern production space in 2017. The winemaking approach is precise but restrained, with careful sorting and selection continuing from vineyard to cellar. Ageing in French oak supports texture and polish while allowing the coastal freshness and mineral character of the fruit to remain visible.
Style of Wine
Tenuta Prima Pietra produces still red Toscana IGT wine from Bordeaux varieties. The estate’s flagship Prima Pietra is structured, layered and age-worthy, combining dark fruit, herbal detail, spice, polished tannins and a fresh, mineral frame. Dainero offers a more accessible expression of the estate, led by Merlot and designed to show fruit, roundness and Tuscan coastal freshness.
A coastal Tuscan fine wine for the UK trade
Tenuta Prima Pietra offers a focused Super Tuscan option with strong provenance and a clear point of difference from the region. The range is well-suited for Italian lists, steak-led menus and independent retail, while the wines also provide an approachable route to regional Toscana IGT listings.
