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The Great Durnford Estate is home to The Great Bustard and Otis at The Great Bustard. Our sister estate is in Casole d’Elsa, Tuscany, where since 2017 we have cultivated vineyards to provide wine for our restaurants.

 

The Casole d'Elsa area is renowned for wine cultivation spanning hundreds of years. The Otarda fields have been used (at least in part) for decades for wine cultivation and in 2017 we planted them with five grape varieties: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Chardonnay.

 

At Otarda we use organic farming processes, monitoring climatic conditions throughout the year, acting preventively on diseases and regulating the introduction of organic fertilisers. These processes, alongside our local climate, the three types of soils at the vineyard, our choice of rootstocks and the introduction of international grape varieties alongside Italian, contribute to Otarda’s unique character.

 

The Otarda Collection

The nose opens with tropical fruit aromas of banana, pineapple and golden apple, lifted by a delicate citrus note. Subtle oak influence brings hints of smoked hazelnut, while the finish carries a lightly mineral character—more smoky than buttery. The palate is rich and generously textured, with good length and a refreshing line of acidity that keeps the wine balanced. Overall, the style leans more towards California Chardonnay than Burgundy, reflecting the warmth of the site and the vineyard’s early stage of production. This wine is barrel fermented in French oak barrels for 12 months.

Otarda Chardonnay - 2024 vintage

Image by Dorien Beernink

The nose is fruity and floral, with aromas of cherry, violet and rose, complemented by a delicate herbal note of thyme and Mediterranean herbs. Fresh and medium-bodied, this rosé has a pleasingly long finish, enhanced by a subtle saline character on the palate. The overall impression is one of lovely balance between freshness and texture. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks and used French oak barrels.

Otarda Rosé - 2024 vintage

Image by AESOP. Wines©

The nose is generous and expressive, with aromas of plum, violet and earthy notes that are characteristic of Sangiovese. A delicate spicy edge of green pepper and clove adds further complexity. Medium-bodied and approachable for a 2023 vintage, the wine shows a concentrated entry on the palate, followed by pleasing mid-palate depth. It will be particularly enjoyable served slightly cooler than a typical red wine. Fifty precent of this wine is aged in tank, with the remainder in French barrels, so the oak influence is present but not dominant.

Otarda Sangiovese Red - 2024 vintage

Image by Kym Ellis

The nose is complex and layered, combining red and dark-fruit aromas of blueberry and small dark berries. Barrel ageing adds depth through notes of smoke, roasted coffee bean and dark chocolate, complemented by sweet spice, including clove, cinnamon and a touch of vanilla. The palate is concentrated and well structured, with a firm yet refined profile that remains balanced rather than aggressive. This wine, modelled on the Super Tuscan, is aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels.

Otarda International Red - 2024 vintage

Image by Floris Christiaans
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