The winery is located in the municipality of Bolgheri in the Italian wine-growing region of Tuscany. It was founded by Ludovico Antinori (a younger brother of the famous Piero) in 1981. The oenologists André Tchelistcheff (1901-1994) and Michel Rolland acted as advisors during the planting of the first vineyards (previously forest and pasture land) and the construction of the winery. The Hungarian oenologist Tibor Gál (1958-2005) was responsible as cellar master for several years. The first vintage was 1985, the first wines were marketed in 1988.
In 2002, the winery was taken over in equal parts by the multinationals Mondavi (California) and Frescobaldi (Italy). Following the sale of Mondavi to Constellation Brands in 2005, Frescobaldi exercised its right of first refusal and took over 100% of Ornellaia. In 2012, the name of the winery was changed from "Tenuta dell'Ornellaia" to "Ornellaia e Masseto". Axel Heinz is responsible as estate director and oenologist.
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Roman Horvath MW
Domäne Wachau (Wachau)