Sansepolcro, in Tuscany’s Upper Tiber Valley and the birthplace of Piero della Francesca, welcomed wine producers and enthusiasts for the second edition of B.E.V.I. – Borgo Eccellenze Vinicole Italiane, held on 24–25 October 2026. Created by wine entrepreneur Tommaso Inghirami and promoted by the Municipality of Sansepolcro, the event connects wine, food and culture while encouraging visitors to discover the town and the Upper Tiber Valley, stretching across Tuscany and Umbria.
Tastings and cultural activities animated the historic centre, while three masterclasses offered a closer look at some of Italy’s most distinctive wines. On the second day, producers from across the country gathered at the Borgo Palace Hotel, giving visitors the chance to explore different wine regions and meet the people behind the bottles. The weekend brought together the pleasure of tasting with the opportunity to get to know Sansepolcro and its surroundings.
Three Masterclasses Exploring Terroir and Time
On Saturday afternoon, the Auditorium Santa Chiara hosted three masterclasses guided by Luca Gardini, named Best Sommelier in the World in 2010, and Cristiano Cini, president of AIS Toscana. Each approached Italian wine from a different angle: six vintages of Pinot Nero from the Casentino; a comparison of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo through four leading estates; and a Guado al Tasso vertical spanning fifteen years. Tasted side by side, the wines offered a revealing view of how vineyard origins, winemaking choices and growing seasons influence character and development.
Podere della Civettaja: Pinot Nero from the Casentino Hills
In Tuscany’s upper Casentino valley, Podere della Civettaja reflects Vincenzo Tommasi’s dedication to Pinot Nero. Founded in 2005, the small estate draws inspiration from Burgundy, shaped by his encounters with Henri Jayer and Aubert de Villaine. Research into more than 200 soils led him to the clay-limestone hills around Pratovecchio Stia, near the source of the Arno. Here, at roughly 500 metres, the cool, forest-fringed setting and marked differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures help preserve freshness and aromatic finesse. Dense planting, low yields and meticulous manual work define the approach. Each parcel is fermented separately with indigenous yeasts, followed by maturation in used French oak and a period in cement before bottling without fining or filtration.
The six vintages shared a thread of floral fragrance, lively acidity and salinity, while retaining their individual identities. The 2023 was vibrant and generous, combining crunchy red fruit, violet, peony, balsamic notes and rosemary with a long, warm finish. The 2022 brought sweeter aromatics and greater density, closing on a saline note. Elegance defined the 2021, its complex bouquet matched by beautifully integrated acidity, while the deeper 2020 offered briny nuances, persistent freshness and a lingering herbal finish. The 2019 was particularly harmonious, balancing expressive red fruit and flowers with pronounced sapidity and a subtle menthol lift. The rainier 2018 leaned towards floral and herbaceous notes, sustained by vibrant acidity. Throughout the tasting, Tuscan warmth remained balanced by the freshness and savoury character of the Casentino hills.
Shades of Red: Sangiovese and Nebbiolo in Comparison
Shades of Red explored Sangiovese and Nebbiolo through eight wines from four distinguished estates. Their differences were clear, but so were their connections, particularly in the interplay of acidity, tannin and aromatic complexity. Moving between Tuscany and Piedmont also brought the influence of place and vintage into sharper focus.
The tasting opened with Cepparello from Isole e Olena. Created by Paolo De Marchi in 1980, this pioneering Super Tuscan is made entirely from a selection of the estate’s finest Sangiovese grapes, demonstrating the variety’s capacity for depth, finesse and longevity. Cepparello 2023 combined concentrated fruit aromas with citrus freshness, rhubarb and finely powdered tannins, showing both substance and elegance. Cepparello 2016 revealed greater development and complexity, with clove, chinotto and nutmeg leading into a succulent, mouth-filling palate and a distinctly saline finish recalling capers.
Two Barolos from Luciano Sandrone offered different perspectives on Nebbiolo. Aleste, from Cannubi Boschis in the commune of Barolo, takes its name from Luciano’s grandchildren, Alessia and Stefano, replacing the vineyard name on the label from the 2013 vintage. Aleste 2020 showed a fresh, elegant bouquet and a compact, harmonious palate, with a consistent sense of balance from nose to finish. Le Vigne 2020, a blend of Nebbiolo from several communes within the appellation, shared that elegance and aromatic clarity but presented a leaner profile, with plum and pronounced menthol notes before broadening across the palate.
Biondi-Santi returned the focus to Sangiovese and the origins of Brunello di Montalcino. At Tenuta Greppo, Clemente Santi’s pioneering work laid the foundations for his grandson Ferruccio’s landmark 1888 vintage. Made entirely from Sangiovese and matured in large Slavonian oak casks, its Brunello is renowned for elegance, freshness and exceptional longevity. The 2020 showed fresh, clearly defined fruit on both nose and palate, with musky rose and peach aromas, a supple texture and citrus energy recalling grapefruit and orange pulp. The 2011 demonstrated the enduring vitality of this style, showing little sign of age in its appearance, aromas or flavours. A menthol note added lift, while the refined, beautifully balanced palate was carried by a delicate, persistent thread of acidity.
Mauro Mascarello himself was present to introduce his wines, bringing a personal dimension to the tasting of Monprivato from Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio. A benchmark for traditionally styled Barolo, Monprivato is made entirely from Nebbiolo grown in the vineyard of the same name in Castiglione Falletto. Traditional vinification and extended maturation in large Slavonian oak casks underpin its finesse, complexity and longevity. The 2021 revealed a finely detailed floral bouquet, particularly peony, followed by a delicate yet complex palate, with vibrant acidity, elegant balance and a finish recalling cinchona. The 2010 retained a bright ruby colour, deepening with age, and showed beautiful evolution, its sustained acidity preserving freshness and vitality.
Guado al Tasso: Bolgheri Across Six Vintages
A dedicated masterclass with estate director and oenologist Mario Ferraresi explored Guado al Tasso, Marchesi Antinori’s estate in Bolgheri, where surrounding hills and Mediterranean breezes create favourable conditions for Bordeaux varieties. First produced in 1990, its flagship Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc in a style that balances depth with elegance. The estate’s wider range offers further interpretations of the territory, including the pure Cabernet Franc Matarocchio and the Merlot-based Cont’Ugo.
The six-vintage tasting traced the flagship wine’s development from 2023 back to 2008. Deep ruby in colour, the 2023 offered a fragrant, elegant bouquet of red and black fruit, softly spirit-soaked cherries, myrtle and rosemary, with a supple, finely drawn palate and a distinctly Mediterranean character. The 2021 showed menthol, blackberry and plum, followed by refreshing acidity and a sapid finish. The 2019 was particularly complex, with brined olive and saline aromas accompanying dark fruit, before lingering red-fruit flavours and freshness unfolded across the palate. The 2016 retained fresh herbal notes and firm tannic definition, closing with a slightly assertive grip. The 2013 seemed younger than its years, combining fresh red fruit with a soft, beautifully composed palate. In the 2008, warmth, savoury broth nuances and developed complexity marked a more mature expression, yet lively acidity suggested further ageing potential.
Antinori and Mascarello Honoured for Their Contribution to Italian Wine
Marchesi Antinori and Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio received special recognition for their contributions to Italian viticulture and its international reputation. Established by the Municipality of Sansepolcro and Luca Gardini, the awards were presented during Saturday’s masterclasses at the Auditorium Santa Chiara. As event creator Tommaso Inghirami explained, the recognition reflected B.E.V.I.’s commitment to celebrating excellence within Italy’s wine heritage. Representing Tuscany and Piedmont, the two producers bring different histories to that shared achievement: Antinori’s winemaking tradition dates to 1385 and spans 26 generations, while the Mascarello family has worked in the Langhe for almost 150 years, with Monprivato Barolo among its most distinguished wines. The tribute acknowledged their dedication to research, meticulous work and continual refinement, preserving a clear identity while earning recognition around the world.
The Grand Tasting: Meeting the Producers
On Sunday 25 October, the Borgo Palace Hotel welcomed wine professionals and the public for B.E.V.I.’s grand tasting. From noon until 8 p.m., visitors explored wines from producers selected by Luca Gardini, including Marchesi Antinori, Tedeschi, Maria Vinci, Tenuta Sette Ponti, Su’entu, Tenuta Contessa, Rocca delle Macìe, Poggio al Vento, Cava d’Onice, Cà Viola, Cantine Lunae, Cantine Dei and Ippolito 1845, alongside newer names such as Vezzani. It was a chance to revisit familiar favourites, discover something new and chat directly with producers about their vineyards and wines. Those conversations made the day particularly enjoyable, bringing a personal connection to the many regions represented.
