Emiliano Falsini
BOLGHERI, ETNA, SARDEGNA, TUSCANY
“...Falsini’s most exciting recent project is the development of his own wines — a stunning Cabernet Franc from Bolgheri that’s a cross between a vibrant Loire style and a richer Tuscan style; the other a very promising Nerello Mascalese from Etna.”
Emiliano Falsini, one of Italy’s leading winemaking consultants, launched his own project in 2019. Born in Tuscany, Falsini draws on extensive experience throughout Italy and especially on Mount Etna, where he played a pioneering role in the region’s modern evolution, guiding estates such as Girolamo Russo and Graci. With the 2024 vintage, the project expanded to Sardegna, and from 2025 it will also include a Pinot Nero from Casentino, his grandparents’ hometown in the Tuscan Apennines. Working with tiny yields, exceptional vineyard sites and graceful technique, Emiliano’s expert touch is on display wherever he turns his focus.
In BOLGHERI, Falsini farms two hectares of Cabernet Franc alongside a small parcel of Vermentino. ‘Limite’ is a powerful, age-worthy expression of Cabernet Franc, matured in 100% new French oak yet notable for its precision and restraint. ‘Il Debbio’, sourced from younger vines, offers a more immediate and approachable profile while retaining the balance and complexity emblematic of his work in this noble appellation. The Bolgheri Bianco,’Via Aurelia’, was first released with the 2024 vintage and is a poised, saline white, marking an impressive debut for the category.
On ETNA, Falsini works two hectares in the Contrada Feudo Pignatone on the northern slope, at approximately 700 metres above sea level. Vines range from 30 to over 100 years of age. From a single parcel, he produces ‘Davanti Casa’, raised in new oak, while ‘Feudo Pignatone’ draws from a series of minute parcels to deliver an Etna Rosso of striking freshness and mineral tension. Both wines incorporate a high proportion of whole bunch fermentation, a technique in which Falsini excels. The Etna Rosato, ’Sciauro’, is 100% Nerello Mascalese from 30-100 year old vines with short ageing in oak. Complex, textural and saline, with exceptional length, it is among the finest rosés produced in Italy today. From the 2025 harvest a Bianco from 100% Carricante was also produced.
From MAMOIADA, high in the mountains of Sardegna, Falsini produces a Cannonau from a rented vineyard in the Sa’ Lahana sub-zone, planted at 760 metres above sea level. Among the highest vineyards, it sits at the very limit of viticulture – hence the name ‘Quota 760 Sa’ Lahana’, as a geographical locator. A fellow Grenache lover, Emiliano is at the forefront of change coming to Sardegna seeking elegance as well as power in his wine.
CASENTINO is a small town in the Apennine mountains to the east of Florence. As well as being the birthplace and home of his grandparents, Falsini has identified this zone as an optimal for Pinot Noir where elegance, finesse, and red fruit are the hallmarks of the wine. The grapes come from a biodynamically farmed vineyard at 500 meters of altitude. The wine will be put on the market in 2027 and extremely limited.
All of Falsini’s wines are plugged with Diam 10 and Diam 30 with very low oxygen release to guarantee the maximum quality wine, cellar stability and fewer possible differences between the bottles. They are presented with elegant labels designed by artist Francesca Ballarini (also known for her work with our friend, and Sangiovese hero, Chiara Condello in Romagna).
THE WINES
Emiliano Falsini Bolgheri Bianco DOC ‘Via Aurelia’
A co-ferment of 80% Vermentino and 20% Verdicchio from 0.5 hectares of sandy clay soils in the Le Ferruggini vineyard, planted in 2013 with east/west exposure. Pre-ferment cold maceration of 6 hours before 20 days fermentation started by a wild ferment pied de cuvee. Maturation for 6 months in 90% stainless steel and 10% oak barrels. Sterile filtration. 2000 bottles.
Emiliano Falsini Bolgheri Superiore DOC ‘Il Limite’ (Cabernet Franc)
A Super Tuscan made from the finest Cabernet Franc in ‘Il Debbio’ – a 3 hectare vineyard planted in 2015 to the clones 327 and 215. 10 days spontaneous fermentation with approximately 30% whole bunches. 14 days maceration with daily punch downs. the wine matures in new French oak for 10 months. Unfined, unfiltered. 2500 bottles. The wine carries the DOC from the 2024 vintage.
Awarded ‘Vino Raro’ in the Gambero Rosso Wine Guide 2026 – a special selection of 50 Italian wines recognised for their strong territorial identity and limited production.
“Falsini's Cabernet Franc is a scintillating example of this variety. The name 'Limite' refers partly to the estate's location at the northern limits of Bolgheri, where the soils have more pebbles and clay. Ripe aromas of blackcurrant leaf, roasted coffee bean and cream come in waves. It has a beautiful texture and weight in the mouth, with juicy blackcurrant accompanied by leafy, crunchy notes and very fine tannins. Quite Loire-influenced, but in a sunnier Tuscan style.” 96 points – Susan Hulme, Decanter (2019 vintage)
"Opening to dark concentration and an especially rich appearance, packed tight with ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, grilled herb, crushed granite and pencil shaving. This wine is deeply redolent of the grape, but Cabernet Franc is interpreted with an all-Tuscan personality that prizes fruit and texture. These wines are Emiliano Falsini's passion project." 94 points – Wine Advocate (2020 vintage)
Emiliano Falsini Costa Toscana IGT ‘Il Debbio’ (Cabernet Franc)
100% Cabernet Franc from the 3 hectare vineyard of ‘Il Debbio’. Planted between 2015-2018 to the clones 327 and 215, it has east/west exposure and alluvial, limestone soils. After 12-14 days spontaneous fermentation and maceration for 12-14 days, the wine matures for 10 months – half in used oak barrels and half in cocciopesto (amphora). The result is a modern and elegant Cabernet Franc expressing the exemplary terroir of Costa Toscana. Unfined, unfiltered. 6000 bottles.
"A powerful but elegant expression with lots of dark fruit, spice and tarry smoke. Emiliano Falsini shows a deft hand with this grape. There is a point of sweet fruit or blackberry confit that gives this wine a slightly softer, more textured finish." 92 points – Robert Parker
Emiliano Falsini Etna Bianco DOC Feudo Pignatone
The first release of Etna Bianco Feudo Pignatone is planned for September 2026.
Emiliano Falsini Etna Rosato DOC Feudo Pignatone ‘Sciauro’
100% Nerello Mascalese organically grown in the contrada of Feudo Pignatone, on the northern slope of Mount Etna at approximately 700 metres above sea level. The grapes come from a three-hectare vineyard with vines ranging from 30 to 100 years old. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out by natural yeasts. Matured for 6 months in barrels and filtered before bottling. The result is a mineral, textured and savoury rose wine with great presence – and one of Italy’s finest.
“The 2024 Etna Rosato Feudo Pignatone displays a yellow-golden hue with faint touches of pink. Its airy bouquet entices with a whiff of sweet melon and confectionary spices. It's round and supple with ripe orchard fruits and the slightest tropical tinge toward the close. This leaves nuances of sage and zests of citrus while finishing clean with a lovely inner tension.” 91 points - Eric Guido, Vinous
Emiliano Falsini Etna Rosso DOC Feudo Pignatone
The estate bottling of Nerello Mascalese, drawn from younger vines (approx 30 years-old) across several small, north facing parcels within Contrada Feudo Pignatone. After 10 days spontaneous fermentation and maceration on the skins for 14 days, the wine matures for 10 months in used oak barrels. Unfined, unfiltered. 8,000 bottles.
“The 2023 Etna Rosso Feudo Pignatone wafts up with a zesty bouquet of crushed sour cherry, mint and cedar spice box. This is juicy and energetic in character, with bright strawberry and sweet inner herbal tones that settle on the senses. While grippy, the 2023 maintains excellent momentum, leaving silky tannins to contrast with a tart cranberry saturation. This aims to please and does so exceedingly well.” 93 points – Eric Guido, Vinous
Emiliano Falsini Etna Rosso DOC ‘Davanti Casa’
100% Nerello Mascalese from a 1.6 hectare, north-facing cru site of 100+ year old vines (planted in 1921) grown organically at 700m altitude. Spontaneous fermentation is carried out using only the yeasts naturally present in the grapes in small open vessels with 35% whole bunches. 12-14 days of maceration with daily punch-downs. Aged for 10 months in new French oak barrels. The bunches are carefully selected in the vineyard, with each parcel vinified separately to preserve the character of the terroir and the contrada. The result is a wine full of energy, combining depth, elegance and finesse. Excellent ageing potential. Unfined, unfiltered.
“Youthfully coy in the glass, the 2022 Etna Rosso Feudo Pignatone Davanti Casa requires coaxing to reveal its dusty bouquet of dried black cherries, grilled herbs and hints of ash. Rich, pure and full of energy, this casts waves of ripe black raspberry and tart wild berries across the palate. A core of zesty acidity provides guidance and maintains freshness in spite of the 2022’s youthful tension. This tapers off into a black hole of structure, dramatically long and intense, with an air of rosy florals and a saturation of spiced orange. Bury the 2022 in the cellar for a number of years—it’s full of potential.” 94+ points – Eric Guido, Vinous
Emiliano Falsini Cannonau di Sardegna ‘Quota 760 Sa’ Lahana’
After years of searching Emiliano discovered a 0.5 hectare vineyard of 100% Cannonau in the highest altitude area in Mamoiada, ‘Ghirada Sa’ Lahana’. Planted in 2000 to sandy granite with a SW face at 760m , this is one of the latest ripening spots on the island. Sa’ Lahana means ‘the border’, referring to the extreme limit of the growing zone. After 10 days spontaneous fermentation and maceration on the skins for 14 days, the wine matures for 12 months in used oak barrels. Unfined, unfiltered. First vintage 2024. 1700 bottles.
Emiliano is a leader of the new generation of Mamoiada producers that is searching for intensity with freshness and elegance, a counterpoint to the massive, rich wines of the past.
Emiliano Falsini Pinot Nero
A tribute to Emiliano’s family from his grandparents’ Apennine Tuscan town, Casentino. The micro climate of Casentino allows Pinot Noir to mature slowly and maintain low alcohol levels and low ph, conditions that Emiliano considers optimal for his wines. Pinot noir from this site shows it’s hallmark qualities of elegance, finesse, and red fruit.
From a biodynamically farmed Pinot Noir vineyard at 500 meters altitude. Spontaneously fermented with 30% whole clusters and 14 days of maceration. Aging in barriques (30% new, 70% used). Less than 2000 bottles will be on the market in 2027.
