The Long View to a Global Icon w/ Lamberto Frescobaldi, Ornellaia

With 30 generations in the wine business, the Frescobaldis have a long-term view of the wine business. This mindset has enabled Ornellaia to become a global icon. Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of Frescobaldi, discusses how Ornellaia established and maintained its status as a global icon. Detailed Show Notes: Background: grew up in the Italian countryside, studied at UC Davis, learned the wines of the world working at Corti Bros in Sacramento Frescobaldi family 30 generations in wine Now in Tuscany, Northern Italy, Oregon, & Sicily Focused only on wine Ornellaia overview Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot based Bolgheri not historically known as a wine region, not good for Sangiovese Sassicaia, Orenellaia, & Masseto put Bolgheri on the map From year 1, quality was consistently good Founded by Antinoris, Mondavis invited Frescobaldis to partner (Feb 2002), when Mondavi sold to Constellation (2004), Frescobaldi bought out Ornellaia (April 1, 2005) Frescolbaldis have long-term view, have owned Castiglioni since 1052 Distribution is mostly allocated due to limited quantities Consistent in giving allocations to people who bought the year before Grew distribution globally to maintain scarcity Focused on top restaurants first, get in the right accounts 3rd party validation (wine critics, famous artists, top restaurants) key to building reputation Vendemmia d’Artista Great artists interpret the wine Each vintage given a name (e.g. - power, elegance) Partnership w/ the Guggenheim globally introduces wine to art collectors Artist label on large formats and 1 bottle of each 6 bottle case Ornellaia Blanco 1st planting by Antinori was Sauvignon Blanc Cooler, north facing site, small amount produced Aged same amount of time as red, not aromatic, but complex Monitors secondary market to help learn about wine’s age ability, if prices dropping, implies inability to age Not sure if people buy Ornellaia from seeing it on social media, but allows winery to connect directly to customers Negative macro market conditions and trade wars not impacting Ornellaia much, 3rd wine (Le Volte) more susceptible, but haven’t seen impact yet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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The Long View to a Global Icon w/ Lamberto Frescobaldi, Ornellaia is an episode from XChateau Wine Podcast by Robert Vernick.

This episode is 53:20 long.

This episode was published on Nov 12, 2025.

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