Biserno is set in western Tuscany, in the coastal area of the Upper Maremma. The estate lies among the hills of Bibbona. Previously unknown to wine production, it borders the DOC of Bolgheri. The vineyards of Bibbona and Bolgheri meet each other, as Lodovico observes, “very similar to Saint Emilion and Pomerol.” Lodovico learned about this parcel of land from Dante Scanavino, his then-General Manager at Ornellaia. Lodovico surveyed the land and was struck by the similarities between this terroir and that of Masseto. But beyond that, what Lodovico recognized here were other elements in the soil that immediately inspired him to plant Cabernet Franc. He “bet” that this varietal would thrive in this terroir. Also, the panorama of the property was breathtaking, with views down to the Tyrrhenian Sea all the way to Corsica. As with the established tradition of the neighboring Bolgheri DOC, we decided to plant exclusively Bordeaux varietals with one major difference: the use of Cabernet Franc in greater percentage, followed by Merlot. There is also a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a relatively high percentage of Petit Verdot, which has surprised so many wine professionals for the way in which this almost abandoned varietal in Bordeaux is doing so well in these sunny hills. The 90 ha of the Biserno estate are composed of a complex soil consisting of silt, alluvial sand, and in certain parts a high percentage of clay, combined with Bolgheri conglomerate (the geological name for the soil indigenous to the Bolgheri-Bibbona area). It is rich in minerals, recognizable upon tasting the wine.