La Vigne Bentesali Agricultural Societyfounded in 2014, is managed by the four founding partners: Antonello Basciu, Giulio Basciu, Sandro Garau e Mario Selis. The company operates in Sant'Antioco, Italy's fourth largest island, located in the south-west of Sardinia and connected to the mother island by an artificial isthmus and bridge. Sant'Antioco, the ancient Sulky founded by the Phoenicians, was one of the first urban centres in Italy and boasts a thousand-year history of trade with the East, even before the foundation of Rome. The predominantly flat island has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and short winters and is strongly buffeted by mistral and sirocco winds. The island's sandy soils allow the cultivation of vines in frank foot, a rarity today on the world wine scene, allowing plants to grow on their original roots without American grafting, thus preserving a unique organoleptic heritage and guaranteeing longevity to the vines. In the sandy soils of the island, mainly the Carignano, a grape variety probably imported during Spanish rule, so much so that in the local dialect it is called 'axina de España' grapes from Spain. The members' passion for viticulture dates back to childhood: it is a family tradition handed down from generation to generation. The vineyards, which are small in size (about 2,000 square metres each), are family-owned and are between 20 and 100 years old.. The company currently manages about four hectares of vineyards, three of which are planted with Carignano and the remainder to Vermentino. The vineyards, many of which are located a stone's throw from the sea, are trained to the Latin sapling and guided bush-training system, cultivated in dryland and free-range in sandy soils, with low yields of 40-60 quintals per hectare.
Vigne Bentesali produces two distinctive red wines:
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BentesaliThis is a pure Carignano del Sulcis DOC, vinified in steel and aged in the bottle for six months. Distinguished by its intense ruby colour, aromas of red fruit and spicy notes, sapidity and minerality on the palate, with good intensity and length.
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Santomoro: Carignano del Sulcis DOC Riserva in purity, aged mainly in steel and French oak barrels, followed by two years of bottle ageing. It is characterised by intense aromas of Mediterranean scrub and berries, an enveloping sip, smooth tannins and a fruity aftertaste.
Both wines best express the link with the territory, thanks to the combination of climate, soil and vine variety, and are appreciated for their authentic character and ability to tell the story and identity of Sant'Antioco.
