A Corsican Patrimonio domaine working with Nielluccio, Sciaccarellu and Vermentino, plus the Aleatico vin de liqueur Rappo.
The producer
Domaine Orenga de Gaffory works in Corsica's Patrimonio appellation with Nielluccio, Sciaccarellu and Vermentino. The estate produces deep, savoury reds and mineral whites, and its farming encourages a diverse mix of plants between the vines as natural fertilizer. The range also includes Rappo, a vin de liqueur made from Aleatico and matured in oak through semi oxidative élevage with different vintages assembled together.
Orenga de Gaffory Rosé is made from 80% Nielluccio and 20% Sciaccarellu.
Rappo is made from 100% Aleatico.
Diverse plant growth between the vines serves as natural fertilizer.
The story
The Fiftieth Anniversary Conversion
In 2016, the Orenga de Gaffory estate began converting its 56 hectares of vines to organic farming to mark its fiftieth anniversary. The change replaced reliance on chemical treatments with a vineyard floor where diverse plants could grow between the vines as natural fertilizer. By 2019, the estate had double organic certification. Henri Orenga de Gaffory had taken over in 1974 and restructured and modernized the estate. Antoine now leads it. The conversion joined that family history to a defined farming practice, with plant growth between the rows serving the vines.
From the atlas
Domaine Orenga de Gaffory
A Corsican Patrimonio domaine working with Nielluccio, Sciaccarellu, Vermentino and Aleatico across rosé, red wine and vin de liqueur.
At A Glance
Appellation
Patrimonio
Region
Corsica
Main grapes
Nielluccio, Sciaccarellu, Vermentino, Aleatico
Range
Rosé, red wine and vin de liqueur
Farming
Diverse plant growth between vines as natural fertilizer
The Producer
Domaine Orenga de Gaffory works with traditional Corsican grapes including Nielluccio, Sciaccarellu and Vermentino. Its wines include deep, savoury reds and mineral whites. Aleatico enters in Rappo, a vin de liqueur made from that grape.
Between the vines, diverse plants are encouraged to grow as natural fertilizer instead of relying on chemical treatments. The farming practice sits alongside a range that includes Patrimonio rosé, red wine and Rappo.
Place
The Patrimonio appellation covers seven Corsican communes: Barbaggio, Farinole, Oletta, Patrimonio, Poggio d'Oletta, Saint-Florent, and Santo-Pietro-di-Tenda. Orenga de Gaffory Rosé and Rappo carry Patrimonio on the label.
The appellation's range includes a rosé made from Nielluccio and Sciaccarellu, alongside a vin de liqueur built from Aleatico. The place and the grape are both visible in the bottles.
Wines
Orenga de Gaffory Rosé shows aromas of currant, raspberry and a light floral note. Cuvée Felice Rouge carries aromas of maquis scrubland and ripe red berries, with round silky flesh, refined enveloping tannins and generous sun warmed fruit.
Rappo is a vin de liqueur made from Aleatico. It matures semi oxidatively in oak barrels through an assemblage of different vintages, including wines aged over 10 years. Its aromas include fruit, leather, cocoa, mocha and spice.
Final Word
Domaine Orenga de Gaffory joins traditional Corsican grapes with Patrimonio wines and an Aleatico vin de liqueur, while diverse plant growth between the vines serves as natural fertilizer.