Poggio Lamentano, located in the rural coastal region of Bolgheri, was acquired by the Żyw family in the 1960s. Aleksander Żyw, a War Artist for the Polish army during WWII, and his wife Leslie moved to Tuscany to manage the property. While Aleksander painted, Leslie worked the olive grove, producing the first single-farm olive oil sold in the UK, praised by cookery writer Elizabeth David. Since 1962, they have produced EVOO every harvest, which is sold on strict allocation today.

Though Poggio Lamentano has a long history with olive groves, its potential for world-class wine production has always been evident. The estate boasts the second-oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the region, next to Sassicaia. However, they did not produce wine for sale until the 2020 vintage, with help from Luca Marrone of Grattamacco and Giorgio Meletti of Cavallari. Their wine blends ancient Tuscan traditions with contemporary influences.

Situated on one of the region’s few hills, Lamentano neighbours exceptional vineyards like Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda and Grattamacco. These higher-altitude vineyards benefit from cooler winds and complex, mineral-rich soils. Lamentano’s use of amphora instead of oak results in a wine with clean, savoury Mediterranean flavours, lighter and without sweet oak influence. Their “Extra Tuscan” style emphasises the character of the vineyards, blending native Sangiovese.

Producing around 1,333 bottles annually, Lamentano is pioneering a new regional style. Jancis Robinson scored their 2021 release 18/20, her second-highest for a Bolgheri wine that year, marking them as a promising investment for collectors and enthusiasts alike.