San Leonardo debuts 2021 vintage of its Grand Vin, one of the greatest vintages in the estate’s history

(September 23, 2026; Rome, Italy)— San Leonardo, the centuries-old, family-run wine estate in Italy's Trentino region, is pleased to announce the international release of the 2021 San Leonardo, the estate's flagship Bordeaux blend, just in time for the autumn equinox. The 2021 vintage is hailed as one of the estate's best growing seasons—defined by balanced weather conditions that supported slow, steady fruit ripening.

The estate’s unique location, where Alpine and Mediterranean climates co-exist, is a primary factor in the distinct profile of San Leonardo, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot. Situated in the Adige River Valley, among the Trentino Alps that shelter the vines during the hottest hours of the day, the estate benefits daily from clear mountain light and the Ora del Garda breeze, which moderates the climate. Each of these elements was at its finest during the 2021 vintage, resulting in a wine with striking flavors, energy and outstanding ageing potential.

“2021 is one of those vintages in which the vines were given the time to complete their natural cycle”, observes oenologist Carlo Ferrini, who has worked alongside the Marchesi Guerrieri Gonzaga since 2001, crafting the estate’s wines for decades. “The slow ripening fostered an exceptional balance between aromatic expression, freshness and phenolic ripeness. Rather than being a drawback, the delayed vegetative cycle proved to be an advantage, allowing the grapes to reach full ripeness during a period of shorter days and pronounced diurnal temperature variation, conditions that preserved both balance and complexity. In a vintage like this, the oenologist’s task is above all to guide the wine, without altering what nature has created.”

True to tradition, San Leonardo 2021 is crafted through spontaneous fermentation in small concrete tanks, manual pump-overs and 24 months of ageing in barriques and tonneaux, with limited use of new oak. For the first time with this vintage, the wine was aged in bottle for 30 months, 6 months longer than prior vintages. 

“2021 resulted in a wine that is both harmonious and textured, while remaining true to its unmistakable character and signature herbaceous notes,” says Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga. “Its remarkable structure, with only 13% ABV, has a natural capacity to evolve over time while retaining its freshness and drinkability, which is another defining characteristic of our mountain wine.”

Last March, San Leonardo 2021 took center stage in the fourth edition of ‘Arte a San Leonardo’, the annual project that invites an artist to interpret each new vintage. For the 2021 vintage, Chiara Camoni, who represented Italy at the 2026 Venice Biennale, created the label for a limited edition of 999 bottles and 99 magnums.

About San Leonardo:  

San Leonardo stands out for its microclimate. The Ora del Garda wind moderates temperatures. The surrounding mountains provide natural shade during the hottest hours, and the clear mountain light promotes constant photosynthesis, allowing for slow, complete ripening. Each year, this unique combination of factors gives rise to the estate's historic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and Merlot.

In the cellar, the winemaking process remains faithful to tradition, involving spontaneous fermentation in small concrete tanks, manual pumping over, and 24 months of aging in barriques and tonneaux with minimal use of new wood. This is followed by a protracted rest in the bottle, which is necessary for the wine to achieve its full expression.

Over a thousand years ago, San Leonardo was a monastery. For the past three centuries, the estate has been home to the Marchesi Guerrieri Gonzaga family, who have been its passionate custodians. The 300-hectare estate is protected by the imposing mountains of Trentino and includes 30 hectares of vineyards. The mountains block cold northern winds while embracing the temperate breezes from Lake Garda. San Leonardo is a world with an ancient tradition of patience, where fully artisanal winemaking practices produce authentic gems of Italian oenology —wines that stand out for their freshness, harmony, and innate elegance.

San Leonardo was named "Winery of the Year 2025" by the Gambero Rosso Guide. Its flagship wine, San Leonardo, won the "Red Wine of the Year" prize in 2025 from the Guide de L'Espresso (2019 vintage) and the Guida Essenziale DoctorWine 2026 (2020 vintage). San Leonardo is a "Friend of Biodiversity" company, and Equalitas has certified its environmental, social, and economic sustainability since 2024.