The Story
In 1967, the d’Alessandro family of Rome purchased the old Manzano Farm, a homestead which extended over approximately 100 hectares across the hills around Cortona, and which – as far back as the eighteenth century – consisted of a parish of noble villas. Here they founded the Tenimenti d’Alessandro winery. In 1988, with the expert advice of Attilio Scienza (from the University of Milan), Massimo d’Alessandro organized the experimentation process that would lead them to identify this area of Tuscany as particularly suited to the Syrah grape.
The inspiration to transform a portion of this historical estate into a vineyard resort arose as a result of an outcropping of wine enthusiasts that proliferated in the area, and the series of properties designed and built within the historical buildings that developed to complement the winemaking. These structures include the outstanding Villa Magi-Diligenti, the Fattoria di Manzano, a series of outbuildings, and a small church.
The design for Borgo Syrah was completed in 2007, and renovations on the structures have been well under way. The reconstruction is expected to be completed during the first half of 2010, and will include a neighbouring 18-hole golf course.