June 5th: Tenuta San Leonardo
At Vinonueva | 5145 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, 33137 | 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Click HERE to get tickets
In partnership with Vias Wine
In this tasting we will be exploring the wines of San Leonardo—a historic estate from Trentino in northern Italy that has quietly built a reputation as one of the country’s most respected producers. With over 300 years of family stewardship, San Leonardo is a place where tradition, terroir, and meticulous care come together in every bottle.
This walkthrough tasting will take you through what makes the estate so special—from its mountain valley location and distinctive soils, to its Bordeaux-inspired blends and organic farming practices. Most of all, we’ll get to taste the results of generations of dedication—wines that are elegant, expressive, and deeply rooted in place.
BACKGROUND
San Leonardo – A Family Estate
San Leonardo is an acclaimed family-owned estate in Trentino, northern Italy.
The Guerrieri Gonzaga family has been at the heart of San Leonardo since the 18th century. Although the property once served as a monastery, it's now a working estate where hands-on, traditional winemaking remains the rule—not the exception. Marchese Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, who studied in Lausanne and spent time in Bordeaux and Tuscany, was the first to bring a focused, modern approach to the family's winemaking. His collaboration with Italian wine legend Mario Incisa della Rocchetta of Sassicaia helped inspire San Leonardo's own take on the Bordeaux blend.
Today, Carlo's son Anselmo continues the family tradition, overseeing the estate with the same care and commitment.
Photo: Marchese Carlo & Marchese Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga
The Land Behind the Wine
San Leonardo sits on a 300-hectare estate nestled in the Adige Valley, bordered by the Monte Baldo and Lessini mountains. Of that land, just 30 hectares are dedicated to vineyards, planted mainly with red grapes. The climate here is ideal for grape growing—protected from harsh northern winds by the Alps, warmed by nearby Lake Garda, and blessed with big swings between daytime and nighttime temperatures. This helps the grapes develop rich aromas and balanced ripeness.
Photo: The San Leonardo vineyards, at the foot of Monte Baldo.
The soils are varied and full of character: Merlot grows in a rich-pebbled ground that was once a riverbed, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère thrive in sandy soils. These well-drained, low-fertility soils naturally yield low crops, resulting in grapes packed with color and flavor.
Each grape variety brings something unique: Carmenère, a historic part of the estate since the 1800s, is the heart of San Leonardo's wines. Merlot adds softness, while Cabernet Sauvignon, introduced by Carlo in 1978, brings structure and longevity. Together, they form a blend that speaks clearly of its place—refined, balanced, and unmistakably San Leonardo.
Why San Leonardo Stands Out
Great wine doesn't happen by chance—it's the result of careful choices, season after season. At San Leonardo, every step in the process is deliberate and intentional. From the way the vines are tended to, to how each grape is handled in the cellar, there is a deep respect for tradition and an eye for quality.
The estate has been certified organic and continues to integrate biodynamic practices grounded in the belief that healthy soils grow better fruit. Each grape variety is harvested, fermented, and aged separately using native yeasts, helping preserve the unique character of the vineyard. Fermentation happens in concrete vats to keep flavors pure and focused, and aging takes place either in concrete or oak barrels, depending on the style of the wine.
As a testament to its excellence and history, San Leonardo was recently honored by one of Italy's top wine authorities. It was named 'Winery of the Year' by Gambero Rosso, 2025.
Check out the lineup for this tasting:
- Tenuta San Leonardo 'Vette di San Leonardo' Sauvignon Blanc 2022
- Tenuta San Leonardo - 'Terre di San Leonardo' Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2019
- Tenuta San Leonardo - 'San Leonardo' Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2017
- Tenuta San Leonardo - San Leonardo Carmenere 2015
- Tenuta San Leonardo - San Leonardo Carménère 2016
Photo Credits: Tenuta San Leonardo