Ornellaia. It’s a name that excites wine lovers around the world. Since its debut in 1985, this famous Italian wine has established itself as one of the finest red wines globally. Known for its elegance, liveliness, and expressiveness, this Super Tuscan is a coveted addition to any wine enthusiast’s collection. The upcoming release of the 2018 vintage holds a special allure. Axel Heinz, the director of Ornellaia estate, describes it as a wine that embodies harmony and complexity, with a smooth and silky texture that beautifully integrates all its components.
Consistently recognized as one of the top Italian wineries by renowned critics such as Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, James Suckling, Antonio Galloni, Bruce Sanderson, and various Italian Wine Guides, Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori in Bolgheri along the Tuscan coast. This region, previously not known for grape cultivation, was discovered in the 1980s to have great potential for growing Bordeaux varietals, sparking a Super Tuscan revolution with Ornellaia at its forefront. The 1998 Ornellaia was honored as ‘Wine of the Year’ by Wine Spectator in 2001, and in 2011, the German publication Der Feinschmecker bestowed upon Ornellaia its coveted ‘Weinlegende’ award.
Under the ownership of the Frescobaldi family since 2005, Ornellaia is celebrated not only for its exceptional wines but also for its unique Vendemmia d’Artista program. This initiative commemorates the distinct character of each vintage through artistic expression. Since the launch of Ornellaia 2006 in May 2009, a contemporary artist has been chosen annually to create a site-specific artwork and limited-edition labels based on a word selected by Axel Heinz to capture the essence of the new vintage. For the 2018 vintage, Belgian artist Jan Fabre was tasked with interpreting ‘La Grazia.’ Fabre’s work featured dramatic red coral sculptures atop three Salmanazars (9 liters) named A Candle of Mercy, The Crown of Kindness, and The Heart of Virtue.
Fabre explained his inspiration, stating, “I believe that art should reconcile ethical values and aesthetic principles.” He incorporated symbols like the heart, crown, candle, and wings into his sculptures made of twigs and red coral pearls, representing passion, virtue, and purity. These symbols, as seen in A Candle of Mercy and The Heart of Virtue, symbolize the fluidity and grace of Ornellaia wine.
A Fabre-designed label is included on one of the six 750ml bottles in every Ornellaia case. Additionally, 111 large-format bottles are released as part of the project, including 100 Jeroboams (3 liters), 10 Imperials (6 liters), and 1 Salmanazar (9 liters), each numbered and personally signed by the artist. In their dedication to the arts, the Frescobaldi family auctions off some of these bottles at Sotheby’s, with proceeds supporting the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation Mind’s Eye Program, benefiting blind and low vision art enthusiasts.
In the United States, Ornellaia is imported by Vintus and can be found in top restaurants, fine wine stores, and on Wine.com.
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