PRODUCTS
At Fattoria Ambra wine is produced and estate bottled. The vineyards are owned by the estate and are within the Carmignano DOCG appellation. The following wines are produced:
•Carmignano DOCG Riserva “ Montalbiolo” and Carmignano DOCG Riserva “Elzana” (red wines , blend: 80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo Nero, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) – Ageing: 24 months in wood
•Carmignano DOCG “S. Cristina in Pilli” and Carmignano DOCG “Montefortini-Podere Lombarda” (red wines, blend: 75% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet, 10% Canaiolo Nero, 5% other red berry varietals) – Ageing: 12 months in wood
•Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC (red wine, blend: 75% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet, 10% Canaiolo Nero, 5% other red berry varietals)- Ageing: 6 months
YEAR OF ESTABLISHMENT : 1890
HISTORY OF THE ESTATE
The history Fattoria Ambra goes back in time. At the end of the 1800s the Romei family purchased Fattoria Ambra. Ludovica Romei, the mother of the present owners, named the property “Ambra” after the poem about the nymph Ambra written by Lorenzo de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany in the second half of the 15th century. The estate has been managed by Beppe Rigoli, son of Ludovica and an agronomist specialised in oenology, since 1983 The total vineyard extension is now 20 hectares. The average production has now reached 80,000-90,000 bottles/year. Beppe is supported by his wife Susan, also an agronomist, by the talented cellar master Fabio and more recently by his nephew Guido. The wines of Carmignano are produced from the indigenous grape varieties, mainly Sangiovese and Canaiolo. “Uva Francesca” (which means “French grapes”) is the name for Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in Carmignano. This grape variety is compulsory in the blend of Carmignano. This variety can also be considered indigenous as it has been grown in the area of Carmignano since the times of the Medici family as it was probably brought from France after Caterina de’ Medici married Henry the II of France. Four different Carmignano wines are made.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WINE OF CARMIGNANO AND OF THE AREA
Carmignano is one of the first appellations in the world. In fact it was established 300 years ago in 1716 when a decree was issued by the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III of the Medici family. The borders of the appellation were set out and they are the same as nowadays . Fines for counterfeits were also established. But viticulture in Carmignano is very ancient: the Etruscans used to grow vines, followed by the ancient Romans, as testified by the amphorae (used to store wine) found in the Etruscan tombs of Monterfortini and of Boschetti, which are right next to one of the crus of Fattoria Ambra. Therefore, a wine with a great historical tradition that was awarded the DOC status in 1975 and in 1990 it was the seventh Italian wine to be awarded the DOCG status. Barco Reale di Carmignano Rosso completes the appellations of the wines of Carmignano. All the hills of the area were the hunting grounds of the Medici family. The whole area, called Barco Reale (meaning royal park) was protected by a wall.
