Terrabianca Winery

[ter-rah-bee-AN-kah]

Location: Radda in Chianti, Province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Founded in 1988, Terrabianca is owned by Adriana and Urs Burkard. Terrabianca stretches across two properties, one in Chianti Classico and one in Maremma. Combined, the winery has a total of 123 acres under vine.

Points of Differentiation

• The first documents referencing “Podere Terrabianca” dates back to 1223.
• All the grapes are transferred to the winery the same day as picking
• The soil is slightly acidic, ideal for grape vines
• The soils are composed of sand and clay loam which promote proper root development and penetration
• The vineyards encompass 15 clones of Sangiovese, 12 of Cabernet and 9 of Merlot

The History

The first document testifying the existence of a rural property called “Terra Bianca,” meaning “white soil” due to the light-colored soil, is dated 1223. The Terrabianca we all know, however, began nearly a thousand years later, in 1988.

In the late 1980s and early ’90s, the vineyards were overhauled. The vines, which had been last planted in the 1950s and ’60s, were planted for quantity, not quality. This reflected the change in thinking in Italian viniculture at the end of the 20th century. The new planting system focuses on planting with higher density and uses new select clones. As a result, the vineyards began producing higher-quality grapes suited to Terrabianca’s wines.

The property covers 306 acres of vineyards, olive groves, and woodland. The second estate with an additional 222 acres was added in recent years, 43 miles away and close to Massa Marittima, in Maremma. The second property is called “Il Tesoro,” or “Treasure.”

Shortly after its modern-day foundation, Terrabianca became a major Tuscan star and the wines have reaped countless accolades worldwide – both for their quality and the stunning design of the labels and bottles.The success story of Terrabianca started with Roberto and Maya Guldener in 1988 in the heart of Chianti Classico region. The winery now called Arillo in Terrabianca is approaching a new epoch with the change of ownership with Adriana and Urs Burkard, a like-minded, equally committed family of Swiss and Italian origin.

Adriana and Urs, are now taking care of these unique terroirs and vineyards at the best age with their passion and drive to excellence. Because the highest quality wines of the region can mature only with such care and uncompromising dedication.

The Terroir

The original Terrabianca property is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation, in the middle of Tuscany, 12 km from Siena and 50 km from Florence. The soil, which consists of layers of chalk, sand and clay from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic ages has the ideal composition to grow grapes of the highest quality.

Here, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Trebbiano Toscano vines are planted with  south/southeastern exposure.

The Il Tesoro estate, 222 acres, is situated in Massa Marittima. The soil in this area is renowned for its fertility which is enriched with minerals, that allows – in combination with the Mediterranean climate – high-quality grapes to grow here.

The Il Tesoro estate grows Sangiovese as well as produces extraordinary Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.