One of Italy's most iconic producers, Ornellaia is located in Bolgheri which is widely considered to be one of the most exciting wine producing regions in the country. This part of the Tuscan coast benefits from a mild maritime climate and a unique terroir, which combined with great care taken in both the vineyard and winery, are key in the production of these modern and elegant wines.

Ornellaia is a blend of Cabernet and Merlot and every vintage offers an expression of the unique terroir developed in harmony with nature.

For the last ten years, Ornellaia has collaborated with a contemporary artist in its Vendemmia d’Artista project. Each year the artist creates a work of art and a series of limited edition labels drawing inspiration from the single word chosen by the winemaker to describe the character of the new vintage. A series of limited edition bottles are then auctioned for charity.

Interview with Axel Heinz, Estate Director and Winemaker

How did you find the 2015 vintage?

After the unusual 2014, the 2015 vintage proved to be very regular, almost ‘textbook’ like. After a normal, rainy, mild winter, spring was characterized by dry and sunny weather. July will be remembered as particularly scorching and dry. Luckily rain came around the 10th of August. The abundant precipitation allowed the grapes to continue ripening, also bringing a much cooler weather during the final stages. This cool yet sunny weather persisted throughout the harvest, allowing us to pick very slowly, combining a fresh and lively aromatic quality with a perfect phenolic maturation with abundant yet silky and soft tannins 

How do you go about choosing a word to describe each vintage for the Vendemmia d’Artista project, including 2015’s ‘Il Carisma’?

It is an interesting exercise, but very simple for the 2015 vintage. Like people of great ‘Carisma’ (Charisma), wines of great vintages know how to impose themselves naturally, without force, their balance allowing them to shine without having to flaunt themselves.

How much money have you raised for charity since the project was started in May 2009?

Almost 2 Million Euros to the best museums in the world.

Toscana IGT is a wine appellation located in the central region of Italy, known for producing some of the finest wines in the world. The history of winemaking in Toscana dates back to the Etruscan era, and the region has been producing wine for over 3,000 years. The appellation is home to some of the most famous wine regions in Italy, including Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

The style of production in Toscana IGT is heavily influenced by the region's climate and soil. The appellation is characterized by a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The soil is predominantly clay and limestone, which provides excellent drainage and mineral content for the vines. The grapes grown in Toscana IGT include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, among others.

The typical wines produced in Toscana IGT are red wines, with Sangiovese being the most widely planted grape variety. The wines are known for their rich, full-bodied flavors, with notes of cherry, plum, and spice. The tannins are firm and well-structured, providing a long, lingering finish. The wines are often aged in oak barrels, which adds complexity and depth to the flavor profile.

One of the most famous wines from Toscana IGT is Chianti, which is made from Sangiovese grapes. Chianti is known for its bright, fruity flavors, with notes of cherry, raspberry, and violet. The wine is typically aged in oak barrels, which adds a subtle vanilla and spice flavor to the wine. Another famous wine from Toscana IGT is Brunello di Montalcino, which is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. Brunello di Montalcino is known for its rich, full-bodied flavors, with notes of black cherry, leather, and tobacco. The wine is aged for at least four years, which gives it a complex, layered flavor profile.

In conclusion, Toscana IGT is a wine appellation that has a rich history of winemaking and produces some of the finest wines in the world. The style of production is heavily influenced by the region's climate and soil, and the grapes grown in Toscana IGT include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, among others. The typical wines produced in Toscana IGT are red wines, with Sangiovese being the most widely planted grape variety. The wines are known for their rich, full-bodied flavors, with notes of cherry, plum, and spice, and are often aged in oak barrels, which adds complexity and depth to the flavor profile.