Berkmann Wine Cellars is thrilled to announce that it will be the exclusive UK distributor of Tenuta San Leonardo from March 1^st 2020.

The addition of San Leonardo, widely agreed to produce the finest bordeaux blend of northern Italy, will further strengthen an Italian portfolio that already includes such leading lights as Antinori, Masi, Tasca, Ca’ del Bosco and Umani Ronchi.

Founded over 1,000 years ago as a monastery, San Leonardo has for three centuries been the home of the Guerrieri Gonzaga family, but it is only since the second half of the twentieth century, when Marchese Carlo took over, that this estate began to take wine production seriously. Following a spell working at Tenuta San Guido with the creator of Sassicaia, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, Carlo was inspired to see if the clay-limestone soils of his family estate in Trentino could yield similar results to those achieved by his mentor back in Tuscany. In 1978 the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines joined the Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Carmenère already planted, and in 1982 the first vintage of the flagship San Leonardo was produced, rapidly taking its place in the pantheon of Italy’s greatest wines.

Marchese Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga commented:
“We are extremely proud to have become part of the Berkmann family. We feel that San Leonardo has found a great home which will inevitably bring awareness of the values of our estate. Thanks to the professionalism of BWC’s team and the great portfolio quality we are convinced we will have the chance to show in the best possible way the artisanal qualities which are hidden behind the creation of our wines. The values that drive our work are in great hands for our future in the UK.”

Berkmann’s purchasing director, Alex Hunt MW, said:
“It is hard to imagine a producer that could chime better with our vision than San Leonardo. Trail-blazing yet absolutely steadfast in their commitment to a timelessly beautiful style, the Marchesi Guerreri Gonzaga embody the particular benefits of long-term family ownership in the wine industry. Independent, confident, but never complacent, they have the mindset – as well as the terroir – needed to produce wine at the highest level. We are truly honoured to be beginning our partnership, and look forward to connecting this great estate with a wider audience throughout the UK.”