Santadi

(SUD SARDEGNA) In Sardinia, in the southwest area of the region known as Sulcis, wine production is almost entirely in the hands of Cantina Santadi, which boasts a wide range of wines. At the top of the list of powerful red wines produced is Carignano del Sulcis Superiore Terre Brune, one of the best wines from southern Italy.

Cantina Santadi’s History and Philosophy

Viticulture is not one of the main agricultural activities in Sardinia. There are, however, what we could call ‘ islands of serious viticulture ‘, islands within the island, and one of these is undoubtedly the southwestern tip of the region, the area known as Sulcis . The once active mines of the area are now closed, and very little other profitable activity has arisen to replace them. But the inhabitants of the town of Santadi can be rightly proud of their local wines , which have earned a good reputation that has brought them to the best Italian markets and also among some of the major international ones.

Local production is almost entirely in the hands of Cantina Santadi , a cooperative company which controls around 600 hectares . Born in 1960 it was initially based on the sale of bulk wine, and it is only in the mid-seventies and with the change of the board of directors (headed by Antonello Pilloni , the current president) that this winery begins its path towards quality . One of the first steps was to collaborate with Giacomo Tachis , a globally renowned winemaker, who helped revive the brand. The attention in the cellar, the passion of the winemakers and the territory faithful to the rest.

The wines of Cantina Santadi

The range of wines includes Monica , a local red grape with an interesting personality, Nuragus , a white variety from Sardinia, an excellent sweet wine based on Nasco , and indeed very Vermentino , 400,000 bottles per year. But the real specialty of the area , from the cellar of the south-west of Sardinia, are the mighty red wines made from Carignano grapes, grapes, elsewhere, especially in the south of France, little considered, highly productive and particularly useful for fusion . But not in this part of the world, where the heat of southern Sardinia is tempered by the sea breezes. The sandy soil limits production, as well as the presence of many old vineyards , impressive, in fact, with their thick trunks that apparently struggle to emerge from what virtually seem to be sand dunes. The results are of a remarkable level: the Carignano Grotta Rossa, the Cannonau Noras, the Carignano Riserva Rocca Rubia , something like 1000 bottles . And, at the top of the list, Carignano del Sulcis Superiore Terre Brune , one of the best wines from southern Italy .