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WINES OF CENTRAL ITALY
Tenimenti d’Alessandro
The d’Alessandro family moved to Cortona from Rome in 1968. 20 years later the family’s wine
estate, Tenimenti d’Alessandro, began experiments on 5 hectares of land planted by leading Italian
agronomist, Professor Attilio Scienza. Professor Scienza spent the next four years conducting tests
on each plot within those 5 hectares until he determined that Syrah was the variety best suited to
the soils in this location. This marked a turning point in Cortona’s winemaking history as the small
hilltop town in eastern Tuscany, up to this point, had not been known as a quality wine-producing
zone. Syrah’s affinity for Cortona’s hot and dry climate was so profound that Tenimenti d’Alessandro
gradually planted another 40 hectares of the grape between 1993 and 2002. In that time the Syrah-
based wines from Tenimenti d’Alessandro have won praise and recognition internationally. Cortona
earned DOC status in 1999, and thanks to the collaboration between winemakers, Filippo Calabresi
and Luca Currado, Tenimenti d’Alessandro continues to translate the best of Cortona’s terroir through
the Syrah grape.
“Bianco del Borgo” Viognier Toscana IGT
Bianco del Borgo is the entry-level Viognier of Tenimenti d’Alessandro. The wine is made from 100%
Viognier, harvested from the clay soils of the property’s youngest vineyard (planted 2003 – 2004.) It is
fermented and aged in stainless-steel tanks for eight to ten months.
“Fontarca” Viognier Toscana IGT
Fontarca (named for a “fonte” or natural spring near the vineyard) is 100% Viognier from a single
vineyard planted in 1991. The vineyard is densely planted at 7,000 to 8,500 plants per hectare between
290 and 300 meters above sea level. Fontarca is partially fermented and aged in large, truncated
French oak casks for 18 months.
“Pepe Rosa” Rosato Toscana IGT
This rosato of Syrah is named “Pepe Rosa” (pink pepper) referring to the wine’s color and spicy
character. The grapes are harvested in the first two weeks of September to retain freshness. Pepe
Rosa’s pink color is obtained during six hours of maceration before fermentation in stainless steel tanks.
“Borgo” Syrah Cortona DOC
Borgo Syrah is the “village” wine of Tenimenti d’Alessandro and is intended as an introduction to
Cortona’s terroir. The wine is from the youngest vineyards on the estate and mechanization is allowed
for certain operations. Borgo Syrah is completely destemmed and vinified in stainless steel tanks and
concrete vats for 12 months.