San Leonardo

Rueda Wine Co. is the exclusive South African representative for San Leonardo.

Working with RWC since 2026.

San Leonardo is a historic estate in southern Trentino, where the foothills of the Alps meet the tempering influence of Lake Garda. A former monastery and home to the Guerrieri Gonzaga family for more than three centuries, it has become one of Italy’s great producers of Bordeaux-style blends.

The estate’s modern story is closely tied to Marchese Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, whose fascination with the great wines of Bordeaux shaped his approach to the family vineyards. In 1982, he produced the first vintage of San Leonardo, blending Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Merlot, each vinified and matured separately. His son Anselmo, who joined him in 2001, carries that work forward.

Of the estate’s 300 hectares, just 30 are planted to organic vineyards, surrounded by woodland and sheltered by the mountains. Warm air from Lake Garda and cool Alpine nights allow the grapes to ripen gradually, preserving freshness and aromatic detail. Carmenère is particularly significant here. Planted on the estate in the late 19th century and long mistaken for Cabernet Franc, it contributes the herbal character and spice that have become part of San Leonardo’s identity.

Winemaking remains deliberately artisanal. The reds ferment spontaneously in small concrete vats, with pump-overs carried out by hand and careful extraction to preserve the fruit. Ageing takes place in French oak, with a restrained proportion of new wood, before the individual parcels and varieties are brought together.

The flagship San Leonardo is a wine of fine tannins, layered aromatics and considerable longevity. Terre di San Leonardo offers an earlier-drinking expression of the same varieties, while Villa Gresti places Merlot at the centre of the blend. A varietal Carmenère explores the character of the estate’s oldest vines, with Vette Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Gemma rosé completing the range.

For current wines, vintages and allocation enquiries, contact the RWC team.