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Oenologist Marco Balsimelli will replace Axel Heinz as production director of Masseto and Ornellaia from January 2024. This was announced by Giovanni Geddes da Filicaja, CEO of Ornellaia and Masseto, in a statement. Both wine estates are owned by the Frescobaldi family.
Balsimelli, born in 1983, studied enology and viticulture at the University of Florence as well as at the prestigious Faculté d'Oenologie in Bordeaux. He gained experience at various châteaux, most recently at Gruaud Larose in Saint Julien, and has been working as an oenologist for wine consultant Eric Boissenot since 2010. His client list includes top wineries such as the Châteaux Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Mouton, Léoville Las Cases, Léoville Barton, Ducru Beaucaillou and Grand Puy Lacoste, as well as Concha y Toro in Chile and Siro Pacenti in Tuscany.
"Each vintage of Ornellaia and Masseto is a product of meticulous daily work to define the ultimate excellence," explained Geddes da Filicaja, "we are delighted that an internationally minded Italian will help us write the next chapters."
New appointments are currently being made to the top positions at Ornellaia and Masseto. After the departure of Axel Heinz to Château Lascombes *** in Bordeaux, winemaker Olga Fusari moved to Ruffino's new winery. A few days ago, the 70-year-old CEO Giovanni Geddes da Filicaja also announced his intention to retire at the end of the year.
Giovanni Geddes leaves Ornellaia
Ornellaia loses chief oenologist
Axel Heinz leaves Ornellaia after 17 years
(uka / Source: Drinks Business)