Bolgheri

Bolgheri is a small village (frazione) in the municipality of Castagneto Carducci, in the province of Livorno, Tuscany, Italy. It sits on a hillside near the Tyrrhenian coast, several kilometers inland from Marina di Bibbona and close to Castagneto Carducci. The area forms part of the Tuscan Maremma and is characterized by a combination of medieval architecture, rolling vineyards, and olive groves.

The settlement grew around the medieval Castle of Bolgheri, dating from the 12th century and built by the della Gherardesca family. A defining feature of Bolgheri is the long cypress-lined avenue known as Viale dei Cipressi, which leads from the village toward San Guido. The avenue is a celebrated symbol of the Tuscan countryside and was associated with the poet Giosuè Carducci, who wrote about the landscape in his works.

Bolgheri is also renowned for its wine-producing region. The Bolgheri wine area gained international attention in the late 20th century, with the Bolgheri DOC established in 1995 to regulate wines produced there. The region is known for Bordeaux-style blends based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, as well as Mediterranean varietals such as Vermentino and Sangiovese, grown on soils ranging from sandy plains to clay and on slopes cooled by the sea. Notable estates include Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia) and Ornellaia, among others, contributing to Bolgheri’s reputation as a premier wine destination.

Today Bolgheri emphasizes wine tourism alongside its agricultural heritage. Visitors explore estate cellars, participate in tastings, and enjoy the rural landscape and historic sites that define the village’s character.