From the atlas
Fattoria Sardi
Fattoria Sardi is a Lucca estate between the Apuane and Apennine mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, making an IGT Toscana Rosato from Sangiovese, Syrah and Vermentino.
At A Glance
| Field | Detail |
| Region | Northwestern Tuscany |
| Address | Via della Maulina 747, Lucca |
| Management | Matteo and Mina Giustiniani |
| Wine | Rosé Primavere |
| Style | IGT Toscana Rosato |
| Main grapes | Sangiovese, Syrah and Vermentino |
The Producer
Fattoria Sardi is a wine estate in Lucca, in northwestern Tuscany, with Rosé Primavere as its current rosé. The wine is an IGT Toscana Rosato made from organically grown Sangiovese, Syrah and Vermentino. The property has 18 hectares of specialized vineyards alongside woods, cultivated fields and olive groves. Matteo Giustiniani is the winemaker, and he and Mina Giustiniani own and manage the estate.
Place
Sea and mountain influences arrive together at Fattoria Sardi. The winery lies five kilometres from Lucca's city walls, in the countryside between the Apuane and Apennine mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The sea brings sunshine and constant ventilation, while the mountains provide water and cool nights through summer. Together, these conditions support ripening, keep air moving around the foliage and help the grapes retain acidity.
Soil And Site
Vineyards occupy both plain and hill, with exposures from southeast to southwest. The plain has loose silt and sand with shingles; the hill has clay with substantial stony material. Loose ground with shingles lets water move readily, while clay holds more moisture and the stones improve drainage through the heavier soil. Water supply changes from one part of the property to another, which can alter ripening speed and the body's feel in the finished wine. Southeast to southwest exposure keeps the vines in a broad band of sun as they mature.
Story
An eighteenth century farmers' dwelling on the property was renovated in 2006 to maintain its rural flavour. Mina and Matteo Giustiniani own and manage Fattoria Sardi, with Matteo as winemaker. Their attention to the terrain and passion for French winemaking have led the farm to distinguish itself particularly through rosé wines. The vineyards are farmed with organic agriculture and biodynamic practices.
Vineyards And Cellar
Fungal disease prevention starts with a dry canopy, copper and sulfur. Under severe threat, the vineyard team also uses propolis and infusions of valerian and nettle. Ripe grapes are harvested by hand and taken to the cellar in crates.
Vinification and ageing are tailored to each vineyard, so methods can change with the fruit from each site. Before bottling, the wines receive sulfur, cold stabilization and sterile filtration. Cold stabilization reduces the chance of tartrate crystals forming later, while sterile filtration removes microorganisms before bottling. These physical treatments help the finished wine remain clear and stable.
Wines
Fattoria Sardi's wines include Rosé Primavere and Le Cicale. Rosé Primavere is the current rosé in the range. It is an IGT Toscana Rosato from organically grown Sangiovese, Syrah and Vermentino. A co-maceration of Sangiovese and Vermentino contributes aroma and a crunchy mouthfeel. Co-maceration keeps the two varieties in contact during the extraction stage, which can leave a lightly firm feel in the mouth. IGT Toscana is the regional Tuscan geographical indication on the label, while Rosato names the rosé style.
In The Glass
Rosé Primavere opens with wild rose, raspberry and melon, followed by a cream aroma that fades behind the fruit. The palate is full, savory and balanced, with fresh fruit at the finish. Fullness describes body, while a crisp rosé feel usually comes from acidity. A separate 2015 Rosé from Fattoria Sardi was medium bodied and smooth, with strong fruit, good acidity and a persistent finish.
A Bottle To Understand It
Open with Rosé Primavere. It is the current IGT Toscana Rosato from organically grown Sangiovese, Syrah and Vermentino. The Syrah and Vermentino component contributes roundness and colour. Fermentation begins with a pied de cuve, a starter of vineyard derived wild yeast, and the wine ages for four months. On the bottle, the regional category sits beside three grape varieties; in the cellar, fermentation begins with yeast taken from the vineyard.
Anecdote
Each year, Fattoria Sardi adorns the bottle of its principal rosé label with a single Primavera flower. The image is meant to signify spring bud break. At bud break, new shoots emerge and the vineyard enters its annual cycle. The label returns to that image as the vines start again. The mark belongs to Rosé Primavere, the estate's rosé wine, and turns a recurring piece of vineyard life into a fixed detail on the bottle.
Final Word
Fattoria Sardi brings vineyard specific vinification to a Lucca site shaped by sea ventilation and mountain nights. Rosé Primavere is the current IGT Toscana Rosato from those vineyards.
Sources
- https://www.fattoriasardi.com/?lang=en
- https://www.fattoriasardi.com/territory-and-philosophy/?lang=en
- https://www.fattoriasardi.com/organic-and-biodynamic-philosophy/?lang=en
- https://www.thelivingvine.ca/blogs/portfolio/fattoria-sardi
- https://www.fattoriasardi.com/rose-and-other-wines/rose-10-primavere/?lang=en
- https://www.heritausa.com/fattoriasardi
- https://www.gusclemensonwine.com/fattoria-sardi-giustiniani-toscana-rose-2015/