Castello di Bolgheri Introduces Barinca, Its First-Ever 100% Cabernet Franc

LAKE BLUFF, IL (September 30, 2026) – Castello di Bolgheri, the oldest and most historic winery in Tuscany’s renowned Bolgheri region and family-owned for more than 30 generations, proudly introduces Barinca, its flagship 100% Cabernet Franc and the pinnacle of the estate’s winemaking. Produced from a single vineyard and only in exceptional vintages, Barinca is an extremely limited and collectible expression of Cabernet Franc and the distinctive terroir of Bolgheri. The wine is classified as Bolgheri Superiore DOC.

Barinca offers a rare opportunity to experience a pure Cabernet Franc from one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions, known more famously for its Bordeaux-style “Super Tuscan” red blends. The wine comes from a single vineyard planted in limestone- and gravel-rich soils between Tenuta San Guido and Ornellaia. Here, the coastal climate and cooling sea breezes create ideal conditions for slow, balanced ripening, contributing freshness, elegance, and complexity in the wine.

The 2021 vintage marks the first bottling of Barinca, and the wine will be produced only during exceptional vintages. The 2021 vintage is defined by a remarkable concentration balanced by freshness and harmony. A hot, dry summer was tempered by cooling sea breezes, encouraging slightly earlier ripening, while low yields and particularly thick grape skins contributed to the wine’s depth and concentration. The wine can age in the bottle for ten or more years.

Production of Barinca 2021 is exceptionally limited, with just 2,500 bottles and approximately 150 magnums produced.

Barinca is crafted for collectors, sommeliers, and fine wine enthusiasts seeking a distinctive expression of Cabernet Franc and the unique terroir of Bolgheri. Barinca 2021 will be available in select U.S. beginning in October 2026, with a suggested retail price of $399.99.

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About Castello di Bolgheri

Located in the heart of the Bolgheri wine-producing area of Tuscany, Castello di Bolgheri is a historic family-owned estate dedicated to expressing the distinctive character of the region through meticulous viticulture and winemaking. The estate combines a deep respect for Bolgheri’s unique terroir with a commitment to sustainable viticulture and precision in the cellar, producing wines of depth, elegance, and character.

About Terlato Wine Group

Founded in 1938 and headquartered in Lake Bluff, Illinois, Terlato Wine Group is a fourth-generation family-owned business and a leading producer and marketer of premium wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages from around the world. With a passion for excellence and a commitment to exceptional quality and service, Terlato represents a curated selection that exemplifies the artistry and traditions of renowned wine and spirits regions worldwide.