B.E.V.I. 2026: From Casentino Pinot Nero to Barolo and Bolgheri in Sansepolcro
From the forest-fringed vineyards of the Casentino to the hills of the Langhe and the Mediterranean landscape of Bolgheri, B.E.V.I. 2026 offered plenty to explore in the glass. Its second edition brought producers, wine professionals and enthusiasts to Sansepolcro, in Tuscany’s Upper Tiber Valley, on 24–25 October, with a programme combining guided tastings, conversations with winemakers and cultural activities.
Conceived by wine entrepreneur Tommaso Inghirami and promoted by the Municipality of Sansepolcro, B.E.V.I. – Borgo Eccellenze Vinicole Italiane uses wine as an invitation to discover the town and its surroundings. In the birthplace of Piero della Francesca, that means connecting Italy’s wine heritage with the art, food and landscape of a valley extending across Tuscany and Umbria. Saturday’s activities involved the historic centre and the Auditorium Santa Chiara, before Sunday’s grand tasting brought a wider selection of Italian producers to the Borgo Palace Hotel.
A Closer Look at Vineyard, Variety and Vintage
Three Saturday afternoon masterclasses at the Auditorium Santa Chiara provided the opportunity for a more focused exploration. Leading the sessions were Luca Gardini, named Best Sommelier in the World in 2010, and Cristiano Cini, president of AIS Toscana.
The programme moved from a six-vintage tasting of Podere della Civettaja’s Pinot Nero to a comparison of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, concluding with six vintages of Guado al Tasso. These different formats made it possible to follow both the identity of individual wines and the changes brought by growing conditions and bottle age.
Masterclass 1: Podere della Civettaja: A Tuscan Perspective on Pinot Nero
Vincenzo Tommasi established Podere della Civettaja in 2005, choosing the upper Casentino valley for his interpretation of Pinot Nero. His interest in Burgundy, informed by encounters with Henri Jayer and Aubert de Villaine, was followed by extensive research into more than 200 soils before he settled on the clay-limestone terrain around Pratovecchio Stia, close to the source of the Arno.
At approximately 500 metres above sea level, the vineyards benefit from a cool setting surrounded by forests, with substantial temperature differences between day and night. High planting density, restricted yields and careful manual work support the estate’s emphasis on aromatic detail and freshness. Parcels are fermented individually with indigenous yeasts, then aged in used French oak and subsequently held in cement before bottling without fining or filtration.
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| Vincenzo Tommasi and Luca Gardini |
Across the 2018–2023 vintages, floral aromas, bright acidity and a saline quality provided a recognisable family resemblance. The 2023 was generous and energetic, with crunchy red fruit, violet, peony, rosemary and balsamic nuances, finishing long and warm. Greater density and sweeter aromatic impressions distinguished the 2022, followed by a saline close.
The 2021 stood out for its elegance, combining a more intricate bouquet with well-integrated acidity. The 2020 had greater depth, with briny notes, sustained freshness and herbs lingering on the finish. Red fruit, flowers, pronounced sapidity and a gentle menthol lift gave the 2019 a particularly harmonious character. From a rainier growing season, the 2018 was more floral and herbaceous, with vibrant acidity carrying the palate. The sequence showed how the estate’s cool hillside setting gives definition to the wines’ Tuscan warmth.
Masterclass 2: Sangiovese and Nebbiolo: Eight Wines, Four Estates
The “Shades of Red” masterclass brought together two of Italy’s defining grape varieties through wines from Isole e Olena, Luciano Sandrone, Biondi-Santi and Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio. Acidity and tannins were central to the comparison, alongside the ways fruit, floral and savoury aromas developed with age.
Cepparello from Isole e Olena opened the tasting. First made by Paolo De Marchi in 1980, this early Super Tuscan uses selected Sangiovese grapes to explore the variety’s potential for concentration, refinement and long development. The 2023 paired dense fruit aromas with citrus brightness and rhubarb, while powdery tannins gave texture to an elegant palate. The 2016 was more evolved and layered: clove, chinotto and nutmeg preceded a succulent, expansive mouthful, ending with saltiness and a suggestion of capers.
The two Luciano Sandrone Barolos demonstrated different approaches to Nebbiolo within the same vintage. Aleste comes from Cannubi Boschis in the commune of Barolo. From 2013, its name has honoured Luciano’s grandchildren, Alessia and Stefano, taking the place of the vineyard name previously used on the label. Aleste 2020 was fresh and elegant aromatically, with a compact palate and a seamless relationship between its aromas, texture and structure. Le Vigne 2020, assembled from Nebbiolo grown in several communes, was similarly clear and refined but leaner in expression. Plum and a marked menthol character shaped the bouquet, while the wine opened out across the palate.
With Biondi-Santi, the discussion returned to Sangiovese and the early history of Brunello di Montalcino. Clemente Santi’s work at Tenuta Greppo preceded the landmark 1888 vintage made by his grandson Ferruccio. Pure Sangiovese and maturation in large Slavonian oak casks remain fundamental to a style celebrated for freshness, elegance and longevity. The 2020 offered distinct, fresh fruit, with musky rose and peach on the nose and grapefruit and orange-pulp sensations enlivening a supple palate. The 2011 appeared remarkably youthful in colour, aroma and flavour. Menthol added freshness to the bouquet, and a fine, extended line of acidity sustained its refined balance.
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Luca Gardini and Mauro Mascarello |
Masterclass 3: Guado al Tasso: Fifteen Years of Bolgheri
The final masterclass was devoted to Guado al Tasso, with estate director and oenologist Mario Ferraresi presenting six vintages of Marchesi Antinori’s flagship Bolgheri wine.
The estate’s position between surrounding hills and the Mediterranean provides conditions well suited to Bordeaux varieties. First produced in 1990, Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, combining substantial fruit and structure with finesse. Other wines explore individual aspects of the estate, including Matarocchio, made entirely from Cabernet Franc, and the Merlot-based Cont’Ugo.
The vertical began with the 2023, whose deep ruby colour introduced fragrant red and black fruit, soft notes of cherries steeped in alcohol, and generous myrtle and rosemary. Its finely drawn, supple palate conveyed a clear Mediterranean identity. The 2021 leaned towards blackberry, plum and menthol, with a fresh palate and a savoury, saline conclusion. The 2019 offered notable complexity. Brined olive and salty nuances accompanied the dark-fruit aromas, while red fruit became more apparent through a long, refreshing palate. Fresh herbs and firm tannins characterised the 2016, which retained a little grip at the finish. The 2013 was unexpectedly youthful, its red-fruit freshness matched by a soft, composed texture. The 2008 had moved further into maturity, showing warmth and savoury broth aromas, but its acidity remained lively, suggesting that its development still has some way to go.
Recognition for Antinori and Mascarello
Saturday’s programme also included awards to Marchesi Antinori and Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio, acknowledging their work in Italian viticulture and their contribution to its reputation abroad. The recognition was established by the Municipality of Sansepolcro and Luca Gardini, with the presentations taking place during the masterclasses.
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| Mauro Mascarello of Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio receiving the award with Sansepolcro Mayor Fabrizio Innocenti, Tommaso Inghirami, Luca Gardini and Cristiano Cin |
For event creator Tommaso Inghirami, the awards expressed B.E.V.I.’s purpose of celebrating Italy’s wine excellence. The recipients represented two regions and two distinct family histories: Antinori’s tradition began in 1385 and extends across 26 generations, while the Mascarello family’s work in the Langhe stretches back almost 150 years. Both demonstrate how sustained attention to quality, research and refinement can preserve a producer’s identity while extending its influence internationally.
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| Mario Ferraresi receiving the award for Marchesi Antinori |
Sunday’s Grand Tasting
On Sunday 25 October, the focus shifted to the Borgo Palace Hotel, where the grand tasting welcomed wine professionals and the public from noon until 8 p.m. Producers selected by Luca Gardini offered a broad introduction to Italian regions, grape varieties and winemaking styles.
The participants included Marchesi Antinori, Tedeschi, Maria Vinci, Tenuta Sette Ponti, Su’entu, Tenuta Contessa, Rocca delle Macìe, Poggio al Vento, Cava d’Onice, Cà Viola, Cantine Lunae, Cantine Dei and Ippolito 1845, together with newer names such as Vezzani.
There was room to return to familiar wines as well as try something unexpected. Just as valuable was the chance to talk with producers, ask about a particular vineyard or vintage, and hear how their wines had taken shape. Those exchanges gave the tasting an approachable, personal atmosphere and brought the weekend’s exploration of Italian wine back to the people behind it.
