Santadi Cannonau di Sardegna Noras 2019

Santadi has been around since 1960 as a partnership between local growers committed to making terroir-driven wines from native Sardinian varieties. They had gained enough notoriety organically to attract the attention of the legend, Giacomo Tachis the same mastermind who created Sassicaia, Solaia, Tignanello, and Cantina Santadi’s own iconic Terre Brune. For thirty years, Tachis has shaped this winery’s direction. The pedigree we’re talking about here is simply unmatched and unheard of for Sardinia.

Today, Santadi is a force with 1,600 acres of prime vineyard land, all within 18 miles of the winery so fruit is brought in as quick as possible. Not only that, but they’re right on the water – literally with vineyards that stretch down to the ocean.

But here’s what makes this place truly special: the sandy soils and the old vines. Phylloxera attacked European vineyards in the 1800s and nearly destroyed viticulture. But in Santadi’s sandy soils, the parasite creates small holes that are immediately filled by sand grains, which actually heal the wounds. That’s how these pre-phylloxera vines have survived for over 100+ years – the soil protects them. You’re tasting wine from vines that survived the plague, and there aren’t many places in Europe especially where this is possible.