Marchese Piero Antinori

Tuscan wine lineage gives Marchesi Antinori its working frame: a family business dated to 1385, carried through vineyard, cellar, market, and succession. Within that line, Marchese Piero Antinori became the figure associated with the modern expansion of the house, taking up decisive leadership in 1966 and tying inherited practice to a more open stance toward change. Quality work at Marchesi Antinori Wines from 1966 to 2015 was defined by continuity rather than nostalgia: maintain the family name, adjust where the wine required it, and build a place for Tuscan bottles in the global fine-wine conversation. As Honorary President of Marchesi Antinori, Piero Antinori remains attached to that record of stewardship and change. Based in Chianti Classico (Tuscany).

Succession in a Family Wine Business is also cellar work, commercial work, and daily problem-solving handed to the next operators. As Honorary President, Marchese Piero Antinori describes a reduced practical role: “My work now is not as it used to be. All the practical day-to-day matters are followed by my daughters and Renzo. Now, I do what I like to do. I leave all the small problems to others.” The current arrangement keeps him close to the house while placing day-to-day matters with his daughters and Renzo.

Signature bottlings include Tignanello and Solaia.

Trade recognition followed both the man and the wines. Wine Spectator gave Marchese Piero Antinori its Distinguished Service Award in 1999, marking his contribution to the industry. In 2000, his wines received Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year award, recognition that attached the Antinori name to international critical standing.