“The earth is the soul of our craft.”

— Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga

Situated in the shadow of the Dolomites in northeastern Italy’s Trentino region, Tenuta San Leonardo is an acclaimed family-owned wine estate. Most recently, it was awarded the highest honor by Gambero Rosso, Italy’s most prestigious wine guide, which named it 2025’s "Winery of the Year.”

The winery stands apart in the region, both geographically and stylistically, earning recognition for producing world-class Bordeaux-style wines in a rugged, isolated Alpine setting.

A Legacy Rooted in Passion

***Father and son winemakers. Photo: @sanleonardo_***

While San Leonardo has been in the Guerrieri Gonzaga family since 1724, Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga was the one to put the estate on the map in the 1970s, drawing inspiration from the Super Tuscan movement.

In the 1960s, Carlo ventured southwest to Tenuta San Guido, home of the legendary Sassicaia, where he worked under Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, a pioneer in Italy who experimented with Bordeaux-style wines, typically made with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.

Inspired by his time in Bolgheri, Carlo returned to Trentino with a mission to turn the estate’s flagship, a simple Cabernet Franc-Merlot, into a more elegant, age-worthy red wine. He introduced Cabernet Sauvignon into the mix, adding structure, tannins, acidity, and aging potential. In doing so, he transformed San Leonardo into one of Italy’s top wineries, proving that world-class wines could flourish in the shadow of the Dolomites, just as they do in Tuscany.

Carlo’s son Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga, who has led the legendary estate since 2001, has used his knowledge of the local soil, climate, and traditional winemaking techniques to expand the winery’s portfolio and bring the business into the modern era. The wines continue to express the terroir with clarity and freshness while remaining soulful, structured, and unmistakably tied to their Alpine home.

What Makes San Leonardo Special?

Great wine is never an accident. At San Leonardo, it’s a matter of meticulous care—from vineyard to bottle. Over the decades, San Leonardo has fine-tuned every detail, from life beneath the vines to pruning and cellar work. The estate is fully organic and incorporates biodynamic practices, with the idea that healthy soils lead to the best quality grapes. Each grape variety is vinified and aged separately with native yeasts to preserve the wine’s authenticity. Fermentation in small concrete vats ensures purity of flavor. Aging is done in concrete or large oak barrels, depending on the desired style for each wine.

“It would be nice to say, ‘We want to make the best wine in the world,’ but that’s not our only ambition. We also want to preserve the place and its beauty. ”

— Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga

Two Wines to Try

If you’re new to Tenuta San Leonardo, here are two recommended bottles sent to me as samples. They are a must-try for anyone interested in exploring Trentino's best offerings.

2020 Terre di San Leonardo (about $25). This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 10% Carménère is fresh, juicy, and drinkable. Aged in concrete and older oak barrels, it’s a great mix of fruity and savory—red fruit, spice, and a whisper of earth. There's no need to overthink this one—just pour, sip, and enjoy, preferably with pizza. 13% ABV.
2019 Villa Gresti (about $40). A step up in complexity, this fragrant Merlot-driven blend (60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carménère) is aged for 18 months in oak tonneaux, adding layers of tobacco, herbs, tar, and earthy undertones to the tangy, fresh-baked cherry pie. With its saline minerality, it’s the kind of wine that feels right at the dinner table, especially with grilled meats, hearty stews, pasta, and full-flavored cheeses. 13% ABV.

I have no doubt that you’ll be impressed by these two wines, and so you may want to spring for their flagship wine, a splurge-worthy wine for sure.

San Leonardo 2018 (about $118). A powerful yet elegant red, San Leonardo combines the colors, aromas, and flavors of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and Merlot. Aged in small oak barrels, this wine has melded into a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with excellent depth of flavor. Pair with tomato-based sauces, fatty red meats, mushrooms, lamb, and most cheeses.