Tenuta San Leonardo

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The history of Tenuta San Leonardo dates back at least fifteen hundred years, to the days when a group of prisoners from Trentino, held by the Lombard duchy, came home after their release at the intercession of Queen Theodolinda and Bishop Agnellus. The men had spent a period of confinement in France after their capture by the Frankish army. On their release, the former captives decided to give thanks to the patron saint of prisoners, Saint Leonard, by erecting a chapel. The earliest evidence of the estate itself dates from the ninth century of the Christian era, when Nottingus, the bishop of Verona, granted in usufruct to the bishop of Trento the woodlands, meadows and vineyards he owned at Sarnis in Vallagarina. Three centuries later, the Fratres Cruciferi, an order with adherents all over Europe and which remained at San Leonardo until 1656, expanded grape growing and adopted a modern approach to viticulture at their monastery. Today, the Romanesque apse survives, with its hanging arches on the outside and fragments of frescoes inside. The ancient monastery hospice, which once gave shelter to the destitute, is the cellar where our wines mature in their barrels. Over the centuries, Tenuta San Leonardo has witnessed many historic events. Legend has it that it was here that Queen Theodolinda became the bride of Autari, king of the Lombards. On 21 January 1549, Philip, son of the Holy Roman emperor, Charles V, was received on his way to the Diet at Augsburg by the prince bishop of Trento and lord of the four vicariates, Cristoforo Madruzzo. More recently, wine from the estate cheered the guests at the table of the Viennese cardinal, Cristoforo Migazzi, a descendant of the Conti Migazzi, who had taken over Tenuta di San Leonardo. Cristofoto became archbishop of Vienna in 1757. In the two world wars, San Leonardo was the headquarters first of the high command of the Italian 29th army corps. In fact it was here that Austria made a formal request for an armistice. During the second world war, San Leonardo was the headquarters of the counterespionage section of the German high command on the Italian front. The Guerrieri Gonzaga family succeeded to the property through the female line in the mid 18th century, and then by direct line in the early 20th century. Today, the family is proud to have the stewardship of an estate with such an august heritage. In history and in legend, this ancient fief has for more than a millennium respected, safeguarded and promoted the farming tradition of a fertile corner of Vallagarina, maintaining the healthy custom of producing good wine that in the past has cheered the tables of cardinals, emperors, princes and soldiers. Today, that same wine is available to render more convivial the encounters and reminiscences of wine lovers all over the world. – Description from Dragac (hide)

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Tenuta San Leonardo Red Bordeaux Blend Trentino

Varietals Produced by Tenuta San Leonardo View all

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...
Merlot

The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...
Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...
Sauvignon
Carmenère

History of the grape: Carmenère was once widely planted in Bordeaux’s Medoc for its deep color and unique gaminess. I...

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Tenuta San Leonardo on Snooth

April 2015

Montalcino is a beautiful medieval hilltop village just 40 miles south of Siena, on the ancient roadway to Rome. It is dominated by a castle, called La Fortezza, which doubles as an enoteca and wine shop. La Fortezza offers most of the wines of the zone, plus older vintages, as well as honey, olive oil, jams and the like. It also offers a breath... Read More

From the article Time In a Bottle: 2010 Brunello di Montalcino
December 2013

So far I’ve worked my way through a pretty impressive set of wines that ... that ... Guerrieri Gonzaga Tenuta San Leonardo San Leonardo $48-$62 Finally, further south in Trentino, almost to the border with the Veneto one finds the isolated farm of San Leonardo. Making a Bordeaux blend in indigenous wine country is not an easy or simple task. ... Read More

From the article Wine Gifts: Italy
April 2013

Tenuta San Leonardo Merlot Trentino 1998

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by stefano massari
January 2013

Tenuta San Leonardo Merlot Blend Villa Gresti 2003

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Barberesco
July 2012

Tenuta di San Leonardo-San Leonardo Ast. Legno 2001

Snoothrank:

This has a lovely tea scent on the nose along with some green olives and cigar box notes adding complexity to the bright red berry fruit. In the mouth this is lightly structured yet remains a bit on the tough side with obvious wood tannin in a decidedly medium weight frame. The fruit on the palate is juicy and bright, red cherries and raspberrie... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
July 2012

Italian Red Trentino Alto Adige San Leonardo Gonzaga 2000

Snoothrank:

This is still youthful but its showing the signs of maturity with a huge core of black currant, black berry fruit topped with lovely olive, herb and green pepper notes as well as finely integrated cigar box spice notes. In the mouth this has unusual weight but remains superbly balanced with plenty of almost chewy tannins lurking under the rich, ... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
April 2012

San Leonardo Valgarina IGT Borghetto All'Adige Trentino 2005

Snoothrank:

Tight, very wood driven, pretty closed, lots of oak but not overwhelming oak, smooth, soft acids, slightly chalky tannins, closed, and clumsy. In a very tough spot right now and not worth rating. Judgment Reserved. Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
April 2012

Tenuta di San Leonardo Proprietary Cabernet Sauvignon/Blend "San Leonardo" Trentino 2004

Snoothrank:

Sweet black currants, cedary oak, roasted green pepper, creamy, spicy oaky, red raspberry fruit, very peppery with a nice dose of vanilla. Very smooth, bright acids, soft tannins, a touch of rose petal, lively red fruit, nice cut, big fruit on the backend, then a clipped finish. Lightish bodied, elegant and refined. This is going to age very we... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
April 2012

San Leonardo Riserva San Leonardo 2003

Snoothrank:

Lots of almost pruny dried strawberry, chocolates, green pepper, cigar box, smells much more modern, much more ripe rich, ripe good acid, lacks a bit of a center, slightly muddled fruit, simple, good acid, nicely balanced, easy to drink now, not a huge future. Cherry pit finish with a touch of cedar. Pleasant and quite drinkable but no more. 8... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
April 2012

Gozaga San Leonardo 1999

Snoothrank:

Beefy, bit of caramel, much younger, caramel and spice oak. Choco cherry nice spice note, zesty red fruit. Bright, juicy, very lively still showing some significant wood tannin up front, edge of caramel, soft fruit lurking underneath, nice acid and spice on the finish, good length, wild cherry fruit, lovely this is dense and youthful, tight win... Read More

Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz
Oct 16, 2009

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Oct 16, 2009

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