The Italo-Swiss couple Adriana and Urs Burkard dreamed about investing their time and resources in something different after a life spent in Switzerland’s corporate and finance sector. They decided on Tuscany and ended up acquiring three different estates: La Tenuta di Terrabianca in Radda in Chianti where the selling owner also had land in Maremma, which turned into Tenuta Il Tesoro that I will talk more about in this article. The third estate, Colle Brezza, is located in Val d’Orcia not far from Pienza. This is also where they spend their time when they are in Tuscany.
Adriana who hails from Emilia-Romagna fondly remembers how she as a little girl often accompanied her grandparents in the Lambrusco vineyards and fields close to Modena. Therefore, she wanted to rediscover and reconnect with her roots and her passion for agriculture and viticulture. This convinced her and her husband to invest in viticulture and winemaking with a focus on sustainability. In 2019, they pursued their dream and have been renovating and innovating the three estates step by step ever since.
In Radda, a new winery has been constructed based on the design of the renowned architect Mario Botta. The winery will feature a fine dining restaurant in collaboration with the 3-Star Michelin Chef Heinz Beck. They are also renovating the old buildings to turn them into a wine resort/agriturismo with a pool.
Tenuta Il Tesoro in Maremma
On an early June day, we headed towards Maremma for the inauguration of the Tenuta Il Tesoro winery, just south of Massa Marittima and close to Follonica and the Tyrrhenian Sea in Tuscany. It lies within the area of the National Park of the Metalliferous Hills which is an UNESCO site. I love this part of Tuscany, especially the lower part of Maremma with its wilder nature, yet stunningly beautiful landscape with rolling hills, picturesque Medieval hamlets – think the romantic mystique of Pitigliano lit up by night -, and the closeness to the sea with well-known locations such as Follonica, Punta Ala, and Castiglione della Pescaia, Talamone, and Porto Santo Stefano further south.
Tenuta Il Tesoro comprises 115 hectares (284 acres) of which 36 hectares (89 acres) are under vine where they grow both native – Vermentino and Sangiovese – and international grapes – Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The mineral-rich stone, rock, and clay soil, along with the favorable climate characterized by sea winds and a significant diurnal range, make it ideal for viticulture.
At Tenuta Il Tesoro, they produce the “Bevo” line of wines, which are more approachable with good drinkability, as well as two other “premium” red wines. At the inauguration lunch, we tasted all of the wines paired with delicious and locally inspired food. At our table, we all agreed that the 100% Sangiovese rosé wine Bevorosa Doc Maremma Toscana Rosato 2023 is a pleasant and refreshing rosé wine with its fruit-forwardness, minerality, and touch of salty sea breeze. It has just the right amount of structure. I and my table friends, Donatella and Stefania, all agreed that it was a rosé that we wanted more of.
The two red wines Campaccio IGT Toscana Rosso 2020 and Campaccio Collezione IGT Toscana Rosso 2019 are wines more in Supertuscan style if we want to use this a bit abused word for powerful Tuscan red blends made with mainly international grapes. The Campaccio IGT Toscana Rosso 2020 spoke more to me for its linearity and complexity, the dominating character of Sangiovese (70%), and enjoyable drinkability. The oak was still perceivable but not too much and with time I am sure it will smoothen out.
The blend is more even in the Campaccio Collezione IGT Toscana Rosso 2019 with 40% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 30% Merlot. It has a more intense and complex character with its aging in French barrique for 24 months, which is one year more than the Campaccio 2020. I enjoyed it, but I think it’s better suited for a cozy winter evening by the fire.
They also have a white Vermentino wine in the making, and I am very curious to taste it when it is released.
Thank you to Adriana and Urs Burkard for the invitation to the inauguration of Tenuta il Tesoro. Thank you to Dario Pettinelli for the invitation and the road trip together.
