When unexpected opportunities arise, sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith. That's exactly what my wife Dio and I did when we became investors in an 18th-century Tuscan hamlet being transformed into a world-class winery and luxury destination. What started with our first winemaker dinner has evolved into a cross-continental adventure that continues to unfold in surprising ways.

FIRST BRUSH WITH TUSCAN DREAMS

Those of you who've been following my blog might recall all of this from my very first post. If not, here's a summary: Our connection with Michael Kennedy began at an Atlanta High Museum Wine Auction winemaker dinner in March 2022. We were so impressed with both Michael and his wines that when the auction rolled around days later, we reconnected with him and met his equally charming wife at the auction’s Vintner's Reception. We set our sights on the "Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards" lot, and when the gavel fell, we were the high bidders – setting our first real wine country adventure in motion.

During that Napa trip, we stayed at the "Smuggler's Hideaway" cottage on the Caldwell property, where we enjoyed a memorable tasting at the Vin Fraiche Cheese Shed. It was there that we first experienced 2018 La Caccia di San Giovanni, a captivating Tuscan red that would eventually lead us down an unexpected path. While enjoying this extraordinary wine, we learned more about Michael Kennedy's unique venture, Vin Fraiche Wine Group, a collective of boutique wineries spanning from Napa to Tuscany.

What we couldn't have known then was how that initial connection would blossom into something far more significant than simply adding bottles to our cellar.

WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS IN TUSCANY

Fast forward to April 2023. An email from Michael Kennedy landed in my inbox with news about subscription and equity membership opportunities. The message explained that they were acquiring a stunning new estate called Borgo Bonelli in the Terre di Casole region of Tuscany. This dream project would become the new winemaking home to all of their Tuscan wines, and they were inviting a select group to join their ownership family.

I shared the news with Dio, and after discussing the opportunity, we decided to learn more. After reviewing the details, we were intrigued by the vision and potential of this historic property.

A RENAISSANCE VISION IN MODERN TUSCANY

Borgo Bonelli's story began centuries ago as a thriving 18th-century village supporting the neighboring Castello Galena. Now, Michael Kennedy and his partners aimed to transform this historic property into something remarkable – a modern winery with luxury accommodations, just minutes from their existing estate, Villa San Giovanni.

The investment deck painted an ambitious vision: an 11,000-square-foot property renovated into luxury villa suites, a private club similar to Napa Valley Reserve, and one of Tuscany's most advanced wineries designed by renowned winemaker Marc Gagnon.

The documents described how, once completed, visitors would experience the striking contrast between centuries-old stone structures and state-of-the-art accommodations – a perfect blend of historic authenticity and modern luxury that would define the Borgo Bonelli experience.

The location itself is another extraordinary aspect of Borgo Bonelli. While Tuscany abounds with wineries, this specific area – the Terre di Casole – remains relatively undeveloped, offering an authentic experience increasingly rare in more touristed parts of the region. The project sits near Castello di Casole, creating a pocket of exceptional luxury in this still-undiscovered corner of Tuscany.

Perhaps most intriguing is the viticultural potential. The area's terroir shows remarkable similarities to certain Bordeaux regions, with diverse soil compositions that support multiple varietals. While Sangiovese naturally thrives here, the team has identified parcels ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and even Chardonnay. This diversity will allow for both traditional Tuscan expressions and innovative blends that showcase the unique characteristics of the estate.

The winemaking facility itself will represent a perfect marriage of traditional techniques and cutting-edge technology. Marc Gagnon's design incorporates both ancient aging methods like terracotta amphorae alongside state-of-the-art tank systems and temperature-controlled aging rooms. Even the barrel room has been conceptualized as both a functional space and a dramatic setting for special tastings and events.

The wine program plans are particularly exciting. Under Marc's direction, they plan to develop an impressive portfolio ranging from entry-level to reserve wines including single vineyard bottlings, a Tuscan red blend, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and some white wines including Chardonnay and a white blend. Their goal is to build one of the most respected wineries in central Tuscany, taking advantage of excellent terroir similar to Bordeaux.

Beyond wine production, the hospitality vision encompasses a holistic approach to the Tuscan lifestyle. The farm-to-table restaurant will source ingredients from their organic gardens and neighboring farms. The planned recreational amenities are particularly impressive – tennis courts, pickleball courts, and traditional Italian bocce, creating a true activity hub for this underdeveloped region of Tuscany.

The spa design shows similar attention to detail with plans for both outdoor and indoor massage treatments, an outdoor sauna, and luxury locker rooms. These wellness offerings will utilize products that enhance the experience, including treatments incorporating the estate's olive oil and wine-derived elements.

THE INVESTMENT DECISION

With each investor receiving a minor equity stake in the holding business and benefits including annual wine allocations and a yearly stay at the estate, this opportunity aligned perfectly with our growing interest in supporting exceptional winemaking and luxury travel. I pulled out our lone bottle of 2018 La Caccia di San Giovanni from our cellar – part of the wines we'd received from the auction lot – and opened it, reminding us just how good the wine was. This was a key factor in our decision to invest.

When we learned how quickly investment spots were filling, Dio and I didn't hesitate. We made our decision and eagerly joined the Borgo Bonelli family.

BEYOND THE INVESTMENT: BECOMING BRAND AMBASSADORS

One of the unexpected benefits of our involvement has been the invitation to exclusive Vin Fraiche events. In October 2023, we received an invitation to a "Boutique Wine Tasting" at The Capital Grille in Dunwoody, Georgia – a launch party introducing these wines to the Atlanta market. This event was coordinated by Sean O'Keefe Enterprises, a hospitality and media marketing company known for creating memorable experiences.

We invited our friends Katie and Taylor to join us for what turned out to be a delightful evening of wine exploration and new connections.

A TASTING TOUR THROUGH VIN FRAICHE'S PORTFOLIO

The October event at Capital Grille offered a perfect opportunity to deepen our familiarity with the Vin Fraiche portfolio. Having already experienced several of their wines across the winemaker dinner and our Cheese Shed tasting, we were excited to sample some new offerings and compare different vintages of wines we'd come to enjoy.

We sampled six distinctive wines that evening, paired with light bites including cheese, crackers, asparagus, and lamb lollipops.

We began with 2022 Component Wine Company Sémillon, which I scored 89 points – a nice white to start the evening, pairing well with the cheese and crackers. This was our first time trying a Sémillon from Component, as we'd previously only experienced their Cabernet Sauvignons.

Next came the 2021 State of Mind Chardonnay LS Vineyard from Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills, earning a respectable 90 points. Having previously enjoyed the 2019 vintage during our Cheese Shed tasting, it was interesting to compare how this wine had evolved in their more recent offering. This was the second white of the evening, and I preferred it to the Sémillon.

The 2021 State of Mind Pinot Noir LS Vineyard, also from Eola-Amity Hills, marked our transition to reds. This very nice pinot, scoring 91 points, featured no tannins and was quite approachable – the most forward of the reds poured that evening. This was our first experience with their Pinot Noir, expanding our understanding of their SOM wines portfolio.

Then we moved to 2020 La Caccia di San Giovanni Toscana IGT, which I scored 92 points. Having experienced the 2018 vintage both at the winemaker dinner and again at the Cheese Shed tasting, it was fascinating to taste their newest release. I've also had the opportunity to try the 2019 several times since they sent us our first allocation after becoming investors, so I've been able to follow the evolution of this wine across multiple vintages. This 2020 vintage showed more tannic structure than previous releases we'd tasted. It paired beautifully with the lamb lollipops and promises to evolve nicely with a couple years of age. This wine earned the highest praise from several others in our group, including Dio, who named it her favorite of the night.

The wine I found most impressive was the 2021 Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Samuel Brannan from Napa Valley, which had been decanted for an unknown period before our arrival. This beautifully balanced cab earned 93 points from me and stood as my wine of the night. Having previously tried their Beckstoffer Georges III at the winemaker dinner and Monte Ross Vineyard at the Cheese Shed, this Samuel Brannan vineyard-designated wine offered yet another perspective on their exceptional Napa Cabernets.

We concluded with the 2021 Gagnon-Kennedy Vineyards Napa Valley Cuvée, scoring 92 points. While excellent, I slightly preferred the Brannen Vineyard cab. This was our first experience with their Napa Valley blend, offering a different expression from the single-vineyard Gagon-Kennedy bottlings we'd enjoyed previously.

LOOKING FORWARD: THE UNFOLDING BORGO BONELLI STORY

As we await the grand opening of Borgo Bonelli in Spring 2025, I find myself reflecting on how seemingly small decisions can lead to extraordinary adventures. What began with a winemaker dinner in Atlanta has evolved into ownership in a Tuscan winery that promises to combine the best of old-world tradition with modern luxury.

Beyond the thrill of being part of a groundbreaking viticultural project, I'm particularly excited about experiencing the property firsthand during our future stays. Imagining mornings spent overlooking ancient olive groves, afternoons exploring neighboring historic villages, and evenings enjoying estate wines under the Tuscan stars creates a powerful sense of anticipation.

What makes this project truly special is its holistic vision – not just creating exceptional wines, but crafting complete experiences that honor both the land's heritage and its future potential. The combination of Marc Gagnon's winemaking expertise, the unique terroir of the Terre di Casole region, and the team's commitment to authentic hospitality promises something truly distinctive in the crowded world of wine tourism.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Our involvement with Borgo Bonelli represents more than just a financial investment – it's our commitment to supporting exceptional winemaking and the preservation of historic properties that might otherwise be lost to time.

The project's dual focus on revitalizing both architectural heritage and agricultural traditions particularly resonates with us. As construction progresses and vines are planted, I look forward to sharing more of this Tuscan adventure with you all. For anyone intrigued by this blend of winemaking and historic preservation, I encourage you to explore La Caccia di San Giovanni – sometimes the most rewarding journeys begin with simply opening a bottle.

For detailed tasting notes on all the wines mentioned check out my Tasting Notes below:

Go to my Tasting Notes

From Tuscany with Love: Borgo Bonelli Investment & Its Atlanta Debut