SASSARA
VINI
BARDOLINO - VENETO
“Alessia and Stefano are less concerned with what conventional winemakers are doing in the area and instead have set out to show what the indigenous grapes and Bardolino terroir are capable of when allowed to express themselves naturally.”
A 14 hectare estate on the slopes of Monte Mamaor at the southern end of the Bardolino DOC near Custoza, Sassara Vini is an exciting, soulful alternative to the usual commercial wine of the region. Of the 14 hectares, 10 are committed to organic and biodynamically farmed vineyards with the rest olive groves and woodlands. Alessia Bertaiola, an agricultural researcher, and her husband Stefano, 3rd generation winemaker, are the team behind the project. Stefano’s family have worked these complex soils – a mix of ancient ocean bed and morainic sediment – for over fifty years, the current duo taking full control in 2007. Their vineyards contain many old-vines of multiple local varieties with interesting genetics. Red grapes include Corvina, Rossanella, Rondinella and Molinara, while for whites there are Fernanda, Moscato, Trebbianello, Trebbiano, Garganega and Tocai. Sassara’s wines are produced skillfully via spontaneous ferments without temperature control, turning their brilliant fruit into wines that are bursting with pure juice, minerality and lust for life. Through this authentic producer and their traditional, regional wines, you quickly realise that the past is, in fact, the future.
THE WINES
Sassara Veneto Bianco Bio 'Misia'
A traditional blend of Trebbiano, Garganega and Tocai. Spontaneous fermentation with 3 days skin maceration and without temperature control. Aged in stainless steel. No filtering or fining and minimal added sulfur as necessary.
A little bottle of perfection, Misia is light but packed full of substance and texture.
Sassara Orange Bio 'Coconar'
100% Trebbiano with five months maceration. Spontaneous fermentation without temperature control. Aged in stainless steel. No filtering or fining and minimal added sulfur as necessary.
“This is a delicate orange wine with a lightly tannic frame that keeps you going back for more. It buzzes with refreshing mineral acidity, citrus-into-apricot fruit, and a pretty herbal tea-like nuance. Outstanding work by Alessia and Stefano.”
Sassara Veneto Rosso Bio 'Esotico'
30% red grapes (Corvina, Rossanella, Rondinella, Molinara) and 70% white grapes (Fernanda, Moscato, Trebbianello, Trebbiano, Garganega, Tocai), all from old vines. Hand harvested and spontaneously co-fermented with 10 days of skin maceration and without temperature control. Aged in stainless steel. No filtering or fining and minimal added sulfur as necessary.
Sassara Veneto Bianco IGT 'Vin da Cagnara' 1L
100% Garganega from a 1.5 hectare vineyard with an average age of 15 years. Spontaneous ferment with 10 days maceration and ageing in stainless steel. Unfiltered and unfined with minimal sulfur. Blissfully fresh and delightful.
Sassara Veneto Rosso IGT 'Vin da Cagnara' 1L
100% Corvina from a 1.5 hectare vineyard with an average age of 15 years. Spontaneous ferment with 10 days maceration and ageing in stainless steel. Unfiltered and unfined with minimal sulfur. Wonderfully crunchy and bright.
Sassara Bardolino Rosso DOC Bio 'Goto'
Traditional blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Spontaneous fermentation with 6 days skin maceration without temperature control. Aged in stainless steel. No filtering or fining and minimal added sulfur as necessary.
Goto is our go-to for crunch, purity and vibrant drinking.
FURTHER READING
https://www.naturalbornwine.com/vini-sassara
