Lenzini Commercial Farm
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He is dynamic, zippy, a bundle of nerves with bright, jumpy eyes and the gift of the gab; she is blonde and petite, unperturbed, though below the surface she can hardly hide the great passion which animates her daily work. They are Michele Guarino and Benedetta Tronci Lenzini, husband and wife, and, since 2006, owners and managers of the beautiful Tenuta Lenzini (Lenzini Commercial Farm), set in the green Tuscan hills in the province of Lucca.
A Bit of History
In addition to being a city with a rich historic past and a wealth of objects d'art, whose still standing medieval walls are well known around the world, Lucca is characterized by an extensive surrounding hillside which, thanks to the temperate climate and the favorable sun exposure, is particularly suitable to growing olives and vines.
From time immemorial one vineyard in particular has been known in the area for its excellent terroir: the vigna di Gragnano (Gragnano Vineyard). There, in the 16th century the Arnolfini family, portrayed by Jan Van Eyck in a famous painting currently at the National Gallery in London, built an outstanding estate surrounded by luscious, rich fields.
Arnolfini Family
painting by Jan Van Eyck exhibited at London's National Gallery
At the beginning of the 1900s, the Marchi family purchased the land and the agricultural village annexed to the villa, to continue the traditional production of extra virgin olive oil and wine. In 1996, Franco Lenzini, a wine loving entrepreneur, realized his life's dream of becoming a wine producer by purchasing the Gragnano farm, which he had loved since he was growing up in the area, listening the appreciative tales of the wines produced there. Thus the Azienda Agricola La Vigna di Gragnano (The Vineyard of Gragnano) was born. Today the property is known as Tenuta Lenzini and, since 2006, has been managed by Benedetta, granddaughter of Franco Lenzini, and her husband, Michele, who renewed the vineyards and strive to obtain the best quality possible from this blessed terroir.
Vineyards
The Tenuta Lenzini
Currently the commercial farm includes 24 hectares (59.3 acres), 13 of which (around 32 acres) are planted with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Alicante, Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc vines. The remaining six produce olives of the Leccino and Frantoio variety.
The vineyards are worked in part by hand and in part mechanically, applying an integrated agricultural approach which includes mechanical tilling and grass removal, as well as organic underground composting and fall rain. Harvesting is done mechanically for the DOC wines and manually for the IGT wines.
Vinification is made in iron vats at a controlled temperature, with short to medium-long maceration. The malolactic fermentation takes place in iron vats, where the DOC wines and the white Vermentino refine as well, while wood barrels of various volumes are used for the ageing of the red IGT wines. Only the free-run must is used and the use of sulfites is kept at an extremely low level. No intervention to correct the physical or chemical characteristics of the grape is applied, nor are wines purchased by other producers or merchants added to the blends.
Olive Trees and Vines
The Products
Currently the products of the farm include:
- Vermentino IGT Toscana (blended with 15% Sauvignon Blanc)
- Syrah IGT Toscana (blended with 15% Alicante)
- Poggio De' Paoli IGT Toscana (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Alicante)
- Merlot DOC Colline Lucchesi
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil DOP
The great commitment of the Lenzini couple has brought by some important international awards, such as a silver medal for the Poggio De' Paoli 2007 at London's International Wine Challenge, and a gold medal for the Syrah IGT Toscana at the third Syrah du Monde 2009 competition, where Tenuta Lenzini appeared among the top 10 world producers, and was the only Italian estate listed.
The Future
"A few years back I left my bank job to become a peasant, and today I am applying my marketing degree to vitiviniculture," said Michele Guarino. "With the support of my wife, Benedetta, and some trustworthy friends, I want to dedicate myself fully to the improvement of the farm and its products. My, our, philosophy consists of passionately defending the authenticity and personality of these wonderful hills, and the products which made them famous centuries ago."
Future plans include the expansion of visitors accommodation available at Tenuta Lenzini, which already offers a few rooms, to welcome the widening circle of fans and lovers of the farm's products worldwide.
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