Founded in 1960 as a co-operative of local growers, Santadi now has 200 dedicated growers covering 600 hectares of vineyards in the southwestern coastal area known as Sulcis. The Sulcis peninsula is, geologically, Sardinia’s most ancient area, rich in archaeological sites and offers an astonishing palette of variations and contrasts, with coastal sand dunes and inlets, mountains, rugged cliffs overhanging the sea, pine trees and junipers. In these sandy soils, pre-phylloxera vines continue to survive and thrive. Santadi produces a full suite of Sardinian wines, from Vermentino to Nuragus, Monica and Cannonau, but it is the Carignano vine that they are most famous for. The late Giacomo Tachis describes the grape perfectly, “Carignano has subtlety, richness, tannins and a dolcezza sweetness.”
