Capezzana, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Capezzana, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Vintage: 2023

VintageProduct CodeFormatClosureAvailability
2023CA109B236 x 75ScrewcapContact Us
Producer

Capezzana, in the Carmignano zone to the west of Florence, is owned and run by the Contini Bonacossi family who are the latest in a long line of owners. The history of the estate has been found to stretch back to 804 AD. This is evidenced by contracts to rent vines and olive groves at Capezzana, signed in this period, which exist in the archives in Florence.

Today, the responsibility for ensuring the continuation of such longevity lies with the fourth generation of the Contini Bonacossi family. Beatrice Contini Bonacossi looks after all marketing and communication aspects, while her sister Benedetta is in charge of winemaking. Franco Bernabei is their consultant winemaker, under whose guidance the Capezzana wines have achieved additional focus and personality.

The estate comprises 80 hectares of vineyard and 30,000 olive trees, all of which are farmed organically. The wines were certified organic from the 2015 vintage. Capezzana’s reds display supple and silky tannins combined with luminous fruit. The ‘Barco Reale’ is rounded and ripe with a great balance between fruit and structure. The ‘Villa di Capezzana’ Carmignano is made with 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for an average of 12 months in French oak. The resulting wine is beautifully intense and elegant.

The ’Ugo Contini Bonacossi’ pays homage to the family’s late patriarch who was a great advocate and ambassador of the Carmignano denomination. The wine is 100% Sangiovese, sourced from the Viticciana vineyard Ugo himself selected. In 1979, Ugo and Vittorio Contini Bonacossi decided to produce a Bordeaux blend in Carmignano. ‘Ghiaie della Furba’ is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot grapes, planted on gravelly soils (Ghiaie) near the Furba stream after which the wine is named. The Trebbiano shows aromas of yellow flowers, almonds and vanilla from oak ageing. Intense and harmonic on the palate, it has a refreshing acidity and a persistent finish.

Olive Groves

Olive trees in this area, close to the northernmost boundary for olive cultivation, produce less than one tenth of the quantity produced by those in milder, more southerly climes. Capezzana’s oil is made primarily from Moraiolo. This is an early ripening variety, so the olives tend to be blacker when picked, resulting in softer, fruitier oils. The estate has 140 hectares of olive groves with 26,000 trees.

Harvest

A very good year for quality but yields were reduced by adverse weather conditions, a hailstorm on July 26th and extreme rain and wind on November 2nd and 3rd.

Production

Capezzana has improved its technique for olive oil production to obtain a fruitier oil with lower levels of oleic acid. In Extra Virgin olive oil, the level of oleic acid must not exceed 0.8% - Capezzana’s rarely reaches 0.2%. This is achieved by picking early and processing the olives within 12 hours. Ultra modern, stainless steel continuous presses are used. Most experts agree that this method of pressing results in fresher, cleaner oils that retain their colour and fruitiness for longer because oxidation is prevented. The oil is then settled in a mixture of terracotta `orci` (urns) and stainless-steel vats before bottling. Capezzana also invested in a new leaf remover and washing machine, which helps to achieve cleaner olives.

Tasting Notes & Technical Details

The 2023 extra virgin olive oil is really elegant, with a beautiful bright green colour and great aromas with vegetal scents of freshly cut grass, artichoke and pepper. On the palate, the oil is fresh and persistent, but not aggressive. It is able to enhance the quality of food with kindness.