Producer Profile
Lenzini
Tuscany, Italy

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Tenuta Lenzini

Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

A couple’s journey of transformation

Benedetta Tronci and Michele Guarino’s outlook changed, in 2007, with the birth of their first son Filippo. This started a journey of reconnection with the roots of their land that prompted the conversion to organic and then, in 2010, biodynamic farming. This newfound approach has led to the increasing elegance and purity of their wines.

Location: Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

Working with us since: 2021

Total area under vine: 13 hectares

Viticultural Standards: Organic & biodynamic certified

Website: tenutalenzini.it

Interesting fact:Tenuta Lenzini is an historical estate with records dating back to the fifteenth century. It was once owned by the illustrious Arnolfini couple (famously portrayed by Van Eyck in one of his most iconic pieces). It was under their helm that vines were first planted.
Another historical fact of note is that the pilgrimage route ‘Via Francigena’ used to cross the lands of the Lenzini estate. Napoleon and Bonaparte’s troops walked in the same places now cultivated with vines and olive trees.

Lenzini Wines

The modern history of Tenuta Lenzini starts with Franco, a man of great vision and love for the land. He restored the property – then in a state of ruin – so that it could once again be productive and receive guests. But it was when Benedetta, Franco’s granddaughter, together with husband Michele Guarino, embarked on a journey of transformation that the estate really came into its own.

After the birth of their first son, Filippo, they changed their overall work and life philosophy, and realised this needed to be reflected on the management standards of their property.

In 2007 they switched to organic farming and then to biodynamic practices in 2010. This ultimately impacted on the way they work in the cellar as well, with a less interventionist approach, resorting to natural fermentation only and with minimum use of sulphites. The wines are aged in a combination of stainless steel, concrete tanks and second-use tonneaux, to give softness to the wines without imparting flavour.

The estate spans over 24 hectares, 13 of which are under vine, on the hills of Lucca.

It is nestled in a natural amphitheatre with its particular microclimate. The belief in the top quality of this terroir motivated the Lenzini family to focus on international grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet) believing they could stand up to their benchmark examples. Today they remain committed to finding purity and expressiveness by making their wines primarily through the work in the vineyard. Having abandoned the use of chemicals, they seek increasing microbiological diversity in the soil for better fruit and ever more vibrant wines.

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