Podere Sapaio
ポデーレ・サパイオ
Modern Bolgheri power and elegance from a 16ha estate founded in 1999.
Podere Sapaio was founded in 1999 by Massimo Piccin, a Venetian engineer who left his career to pursue a lifelong passion for wine. He acquired an 8-hectare property in a place called Scopaio in Bolgheri's Castagneto Carducci, planting Bordeaux varieties -- Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot -- under the guidance of renowned consultant Carlo Ferrini. The estate has since grown to 16 hectares across three sites (the home estate, Le Badie and Le Lame), now farmed organically. Podere Sapaio produces two wines: the flagship 'Sapaio', a Bolgheri Superiore DOC blend of roughly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and 'Volpolo', a more approachable Bolgheri Rosso DOC blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Volpolo was named to Wine Spectator's Top 100 list in both 2014 and 2015, and both wines are internationally recognized for combining power, elegance and refined structure in the modern Bolgheri style, alongside neighbors such as Sassicaia and Ornellaia.
www.sapaio.com/en/ ↗Cuvées
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Who Is This For?
Ideal for Super Tuscan and Bordeaux-blend collectors who want the polish of Bolgheri's top estates -- Sassicaia, Ornellaia -- without the flagship price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the flagship wine of Podere Sapaio?
- The flagship is 'Sapaio', a Bolgheri Superiore DOC made from roughly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc, aged for extended structure and aging potential.
- What is the difference between Sapaio and Volpolo?
- Sapaio is the estate's top wine, a concentrated Bolgheri Superiore built for aging, while Volpolo is a Bolgheri Rosso -- a more approachable Cabernet-Merlot-Petit Verdot blend meant to be enjoyed younger, at a friendlier price point.
- Who founded Podere Sapaio and when?
- Massimo Piccin, a Venetian engineer, founded Podere Sapaio in 1999 after acquiring an 8-hectare property in Bolgheri's Castagneto Carducci, working with consultant Carlo Ferrini on the initial plantings.
- Is Podere Sapaio organic?
- Yes, the estate has converted its 16 hectares of vineyards to certified organic viticulture in recent years, while continuing to use modern winemaking techniques under Massimo Piccin's direction.
- Has Podere Sapaio received major critical recognition?
- Yes -- Volpolo was named to Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines list in both 2014 and 2015, and vintages of Sapaio have scored in the low-to-mid 90s from critics including James Suckling and Wine Spectator.