The wind that comes from the sea, the scent of cork, oak and olive trees and then a vineyard immersed in wild and primordial vegetation. Here we are Sardinia, in the Golden Coast, where the wine is born caressed by the sea breeze, softened by the dew and tells the story of the dream of two young men who with their parent realized "listening" to their plants and giving life to intriguing labels of Vermentino, Cannonau and Maristellu (Sardinian bovale). Antioco Gregu with his sons Raffaele and Federico, a family for generations engaged in thebreeding of livestock, pork and lamb e in the production of formidable pecorino cheeses, they began their adventure in 2000 with the purchase of thirty hectares of vineyards and 16 hectares of cork forest and lakes in the Calangianus countryside, an uncontaminated place at the foot of Mount Limbara, among olive trees and centuries-old cork trees 500 meters above sea level.
The first vintage was bottled in 2014. And then gradually until today with the production of 70/80 thousand bottles a year. The young people have grown up and some dedicate themselves to the vineyard, Federico, twenty-seven years old with his father, who to the management of the cellar and the sales department, Raffaele, who is 31 years old. With the idea that this special and powerful land must make known to the world her jewels.
In 2000 from breeders to winemakers: today we produce 80.000 bottles a year
Sirè is born, rosé, from Cannonau grapes, DOC, intense and warm, with marked floral accents, 13,5 degrees, perfect with thyme seared cod with purple potatoes on zucchini cream, tasted at the "Il Ceppo" restaurant in Rome and with all the products of the Sardinian sea tradition. It is produced in 3500 bottles (9 euros in the cellar). Rias, Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, 13,5 degrees, seduces the palate and the nose with its intensity and its magnificent bright straw yellow color and goes well with the borage and buffalo millefeuille with tomato coulis.
50 bottles are produced a year and it costs 8 euros in the cellar. Also Selene, Vermentino of Gallura Superiore DOCG fhas its part in the tasting with its 14,5 degrees and its great freshness. 10 thousand bottles are produced and in the cellar the bottle is sold for 13 euros. On the table, when the spelled fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, chanterelle mushrooms and ciauscolo breadcrumbs arrive on the plate, it is time for a red and Raighinas, Cannonau di Sardegna DOC, it is called to play its part with the freshness of the red fruit and the vigor of the drinkable wine (14,5 degrees, 8 euros in the cellar. 6 bottles are produced). His name means Roots. And the glass rises again for the leg of roast lamb "cacio e pepe" which arrives at the table to recall the dishes of Sardinia and its tradition. Raffaele Gregu says contemplating the ruby red of Raighinas that the leitmotif of the history of these labels is the Truth which means respect and enhancement of every element that characterizes a vintage. “We – he adds – are identities, our wines must reflect us and our territory”.
Interesting, in the next holidays I definitely have to drop by! I've never tried but I love the strong flavors and the overwhelming wood scent in a wine. Sure, you definitely can't overdo it, but definitely worth a try.