Ampeleia

Italy, Tuscany

Ampeleia was established in 2002 in Alta Maremma, below the medieval town of Roccatederighi. The project was founded with a clear ambition: to produce wines that faithfully express their place of origin through attentive viticulture and precise, thoughtful winemaking.

Today the estate is led by winemaker and director Marco Tait. The team refer to themselves as Gentle Souls, reflecting a restrained, land-led philosophy rooted in respect for balance, biodiversity and long-term sustainability. Cabernet Franc sits at the core of the estate’s identity, shaping its stylistic direction.

Farming Philosophy

Ampeleia operates as an integrated farm comprising vineyards, olive groves, arable land and woodland. Although the property covers 120 hectares, only 35 are under vine — a deliberate decision that reflects the estate’s commitment to landscape preservation and biodiversity.

Farming follows biodynamic principles within a broader regenerative framework aimed at enhancing soil vitality and long-term sustainability. This measured, respectful approach underpins the estate’s identity and supports its objective: to craft wines that express Alta Maremma with authenticity, precision and continuity over time.

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Terroir

The estate extends over 120 hectares, of which 35 hectares are planted to vine. The vineyards are set between 250 and 600 metres above sea level, across distinct high-hill sites surrounded by oak forests and Mediterranean vegetation. This landscape creates a dynamic interaction between woodland and vineyard, reinforcing biodiversity and ecological balance.

Altitude plays a defining role. While proximity to the Tyrrhenian coast ensures Mediterranean light and sea breezes, the inland elevation of Alta Maremma brings cooler nights and significant diurnal variation. The result is wines of mineral clarity, aromatic precision and structural definition.

The property lies within the UNESCO-recognised Colline Metallifere Geopark, an area shaped by complex geological history and mineral-rich soils. This geological diversity contributes to the tension, depth and mineral profile that characterise the wines.

Watch Francesco Pascucci’s interview with 67 Pall Mall.

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Tom standing in front of colourful crates

"Ampeleia is one of the stars of the Tuscan coast. At their best, the Ampeleia wines are among the most pure, transparent expressions of the coast readers will find. Elisabetta Foradori and her team are doing important work here. Ampeleia is a young estate. There is every reason to believe the best is yet to come." Antonio Galloni, September 2014

Landscape of mountains and a valley in the morning mist

The Place

Tuscany, Italy

Ampeleia di Sopra (450–600m)
15 hectares planted mainly with Cabernet Franc. These higher-altitude vineyards benefit from varied exposures and soil types, producing wines of structure and aromatic refinement. The “Lo Sbocco” vineyard, where Merlot for Empatia is grown, is located here.

Ampeleia di Mezzo (250–350m)
10 hectares divided into small plots surrounded by cork oak woods and Mediterranean scrub. Plantings include Sangiovese, Carignan, Grenache and Alicante Bouschet, reflecting the local tradition of mixed varieties and enhancing complexity.

Ampeleia di Sotto (around 200m)
10 hectares of vineyards closer to the sea, expressing a distinctly Mediterranean character. Grenache is the principal variety planted here.

Wines

Cabernet Franc represents the backbone of Ampeleia’s production. In this environment, it combines Mediterranean warmth with altitude-driven freshness, expressing structure, tension and refined aromatics.

Alongside Cabernet Franc, Mediterranean varieties such as Alicante Nero, Carignano and Mourvèdre contribute to the estate’s territorial coherence. A small parcel of Merlot complements the plantings.

White varieties — Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia and Ansonica — are co-planted within a single vineyard, following a traditional agricultural model that promotes natural balance in the field.