OUR STORY
OUR HISTORY
The Casole d'Elsa area is renowned for wine cultivation spanning hundreds of years. Large farms on estates grew wines, olive groves and other produce. An example is the Castello di Casole area, of which the Otarda vineyard is part. The Casole d'Elsa area is renowned for wine cultivation spanning hundreds of years. Large farms on estates grew vines, olive groves and other produce. Winemaking here had its roots in the Etruscan period, V-II century B.C, when it was produced for daily consumption. The Otarda fields have been used (at least in part) for decades for wine cultivation. Our new Otarda vineyards were planted in 2017 with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Chardonnay.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At Otarda, we believe in restraint. Restraint in the vineyard, organic farming, no irrigation, careful site selection. Restraint in the winery, allowing the fruit and terroir to express themselves. Restraint in the bottle - four wines, each carefully crafted, rather than a large portfolio.
Our wines are designed for drinking and sharing. They are built on quality, balance and the character of our place. We work with respect for the land, the history of this region, and the traditions of winemaking that have shaped Tuscany for centuries.This is not about making the biggest or the most extracted wines. It is about making wines that feel true to where they come from, that age gracefully, and that bring people together around a table.
The Otarda vineyard spans approximately 8 hectares, split into 4.2 hectares Sangiovese, 2.0 hectares Cabernet Franc, 1.0 hectare Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.5 hectares Merlot and 0.3 hectares Chardonnay. The vines are oriented E-SE, with exposure to the east and south-east. This choice allows for a cooler microclimate, optimal ripening conditions, and careful management of the fruit.
The soils are carefully selected, with variations of sand and clay that contribute to the complexity and balance of the wines.
No irrigation is used—the vineyard relies on natural rainfall and the deep root systems of mature vines. The farm has been cultivated with organic farming since the birth of our vineyards in February 2017. We have focused on monitoring climatic conditions throughout the period, acting preventively on diseases (downy mildew), and maintaining the health and vitality of the vines without chemical intervention.
AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION
After World War II, with the migration of agricultural workers and their families from the countryside to larger towns, land cultivation of this kind and estates were often abandoned and harvests very limited.
Today, following a great agricultural revaluation of the area, and thanks to the achievement of the highest quality level of wine cultivation, it has been possible to select the best soils and the best exposures for the crops, part of the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT), a wine classification that allows for more flexibility in winemaking, and is a key part of the story of Super Tuscan
SUPER TUSCAN INNOVATION
Super Tuscan' refers to the innovative winemaking techniques used by Tuscan producers in the 1960s and 1970s. These techniques included using French grapes, aging in new oak barrels, and replacing wooden fermenting tubs with stainless steel vats.
Unlike in the past, in which the varieties cultivated were nearly only those of Tuscany (Colorino, Canaiolo among others), with the new agricultural vision noted above it has been possible to introduce international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which on these soils and in these climatic conditions, give a unique aromaticity and quality.
VINEYARD SIZE
8 hectares
4,1 Ha Sangiovese nero
2 Ha Cabernet Franc
1,05 Cabernet Sauvignon
0,5 Merlot
0,3 Chardonnay
PLANTED
February 2017
Young vines, developing character
FARMING
Organic
No irrigation, no chemicals
