Santadi
Province of Cagliari
Established: 1960
Owners: Co-operative di Santadi
Winemakers: Davide Pera & Giacomo Tachis
Production: 1,700,000 bottles
Hecatres under vine: 606
Viticulture: Conventiona
Santadi’s vineyards are set in prime, gently rolling land reaching out to sea in the south-western coastal area known as Sulcis. It is unique in that the sandy soil allows pre-phylloxera vines to survive and thrive, a key factor in the supreme quality of the estate’s wines.
Vermentino ‘Villa Solais’ is matured in stainless steel with short lees contact to give the palate more body and flavour. In Sulcis, Carignano is grown as bush-vines and the wines are made in a warm, embracing style. ‘Grotta Rossa’ is fruity and food-friendly, made without oak.
Shardana was the Phoenicians’ name for native Sardinians when they colonised the island in the third century. The wine, a joint venture between Santadi and Neil and Maria Empson, is a blend of old vine Carignano with 15% Syrah. The nose displays dried flowers and cherry fruit with leather and game laced with subtle spice, the palate elegant, smooth and silky with a long finish.
‘Terre Brune’ is one of the islands most acclaimed wines and a worthy regular Tre Bicchieri winner. Made from 95% Carignano and 5% Bovaleddu, an ancient local variety, the rich, ripe fruit is aged 16-18 months in new barrique for a full-bodied, lush, extract-rich wine with supple texture and a very long finish. Latinia is a late-picked dessert wine made from Nasco, another of Sardinia’s indigenous varieties. An intense amber yellow in colour, the bouquet is rich with notes of honey, caramel, and clove, the palate sweet, but not cloying, with a hint of orange blossoms.
Wines
Vermentino DOC ‘Villa Solais’
Carignano del Sulcis DOC ‘Grotta Rossa’
Shardana IGT
Carignano del Sulcis DOC ‘Terre Brune’
Latinia IGT 375ml