ORMA, Italy
Having already made their name at Tenuta Sette Ponti with Bordeaux-style blends such as Oreno, they decided to take their love of Cabernet and Merlot to the Tuscan coast. Orma is located on the Bolgherese Provincial Road (AKA the ‘Wine Road’), just a short distance from the area’s most historic vineyards. Situated in the heart of the Bolgheri DOC appellation, with Ornellaia to the right and Sassicaia to the left, it is indeed perfectly suited to vine cultivation. North of Via Bolgherese, rocky, clay-rich soils prevail, while the soils become progressively sandier as they near the sea. This, together with the cooling influence of the sea itself, results in a range of wines that beautifully express their terroir and which have put Super-Tuscans firmly on the map.
Viticulture
Orma is in the heart of Bolgheri, sandwiched between the Ornellaia and Sassicaia estates on the Strada Bolgherese. Orma and 2nd wine Passi di Orma are richly textured powerful reds from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc; the rosso is fun and succulent; the Vermentino, poised and mineral-edged. Tenuta Sette Ponti, lies further west in Arezzo, and is home to the Moretti Cuseri family who have shaped the estate since its purchase from princesses Margherita and Maria Cristina Savoia-Aosta. The estate takes its name from the Buriano Bridge which the family proudly point out is depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Flagship wine Oreno combines Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, 2nd wine Crognolo is Sangiovese focused, typically with 5-10% Merlot. The pair capture the same depth and texture of the Orma wines yet with more elegance. Farming is all organic and fruit hand harvested.
Winemaking
Giuseppe 'Beppe' Caviola carved his niche in winemaking in the 1980s as a consultant winemaker, primarily in Piedmont but also across all of Italy's key regions. Crowned Winemaker of the Year in 2002 (Gamberro Rosso & Slow Food), Caviola's appeal comes from his ability to let the natural qualities of each variety, when solo or in a blend, shine brightly. This earns the wines he consults on both national acclaim and international prestige. Caviola has a close working relationship with the Moretti family and there has been a consistent elevation in style in recent years.
