
~ Ampeleia’s vineyards lie on the Tuscan coast within sight of the Sea ~
What started in the early 1960’s as a pastoral apple orchard also used for breeding sheep and pigeons slowly underwent a transformation under the watchful eyes of Swiss born proprietors Erica and Peter Suter. Together they constructed barns and farmhouses and then planted their first Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines in the area. Today, the farmhouse is home to Ampeleia’s winery and tasting offices and the current winemaking team is run by none other than Elisabetta Foradori. Overall, the estate is planted to approximately 35 hectares of vineyards which produce almost 150,000 bottles of wine annually.

~ Ampeleia di Sopra, centered around the town of Roccatederighi contains the estates highest vineyards ~
The town of Roccatederighi, as well as its fort, were named after the descendants who ruled over the area in the 13th century. Attracted by plentiful silver and copper deposits found in the area, the Sienese took control of Roccatederighi in 1405 and annexed it for the Republic of Siena. The artist Simone Martini depicted the capture of neighbouring Monte Massi in the fresco found in the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena. This rustic and isolated hamlet is home to the “Costa Toscana” IGT designation that Ampeleia’s eponymous wine bears.
The 2013 Ampeleia is the estate’s flagship wine. A blend of 6 different grapes, many of which are unspecified, the largest percentage in the blend is said to be Cabernet Franc followed by Sangiovese. A medium garnet in the glass, the Ampeleia was double decanted about 45 minutes before dinner. Aromas of dark berries are coaxed gently from the glass and are accented by green herbs and green tobacco leaf. On the palate, this wine is dry and austere with little forward nature to the fruit at the moment. Red plum, faint toast notes and spices on the finish wrap up this rather generic red in uneventful fashion. Is it well made? I suppose, given that the wine is devoid of obvious flaws. Yet in blends such as this, where the grapes come from scattered areas along an undefined appellation, I’m often left wondering what the goal is. What is this wine trying to say? What is it trying to be? At the given price point, I expect more. Quite a bit more actually as I can find many better wines for the money. Maybe it needs aging to come together, but frankly, I’m not interested in finding out. Not recommended. 84 points, about $30. Find this wine. (if you want)

~ The 2013 is as much as 40-50% Cabernet Franc with the balance to Sangiovese and 4 other unspecified varietals ~
Salute e buon fine settimana!
John;
Have you tasted the remaining wines…?
If this is their top….what about the others below..?
Anyway I have read and heard all kind of mix opininions about this winery, mostly just ok and nothing special.
But you ask yourself, they make 150k bottles….so who are the customers, and how they can afford the costs..?
M,
I have tasted their low end wine called “Un Litro” which is actually 1 liter as opposed to 750ml standard. It’s maybe $10 here in the US. It’s an odd shaped bottle with an ugly label. To me, jug wine. I didn’t think it noteworthy enough to review.
J
Hi John,
I tasted the 2010 in August last year. I also did not “get” this wine (besides the fact that it is a very difficult bottle in a blind tasting). These were my comments:
“Ampeleia 2010: This is a strange wine. Mind you, it is good and well made, but totally not showing its origin.
Blind tasted, my first guess was C9dP, with the sweet touch and dark fruits – very grenache and carignan-like. Second guess was Priorat, for the same reasons.
Wrong, although those grapes are in the blend but at less than 10%… In hindsight, the acidity of the wine can be attributed to the 30% sangiovese in the blend. But the main grape, cabernet franc (60%) is totally invisible here.
In conclusion: a C9dP made from primarely cab franc and sangiovese and grown in Tuscany. Original, and very difficult to nail when tasted blind.”
Steven,
The first sentence of your note is spot on 100%. That’s my sentiment. What’s the point of the wine? The 2013 tastes frankly unevenly ripened Cab. Franc. For $25 there are many, many more attractive and frankly, Tuscan options.
J