Bentesali
Unblended Carignano

Carignano is one of the most important and prestigious wines of Sardinian enology.

TERRITORY

The Island of Sant’Antioco is located in the Sulcis-Iglesiente area, in the south-western coast of Sardinia, to which it is connected with a thin isthmus, created by marine sediment.

With a surface of 109 square kilometres, it is the largest island in Sardinia and the fourth largest in Italy.

The island is divided between the two municipalities of Sant’Antioco and Calasetta and it is located some 90 km from Cagliari.

The area’s Mediterranean climate is characterized by short winters and hot, dry summers, mitigated only by the cool north-west wind.

The island was formed during the Miocene, around 25 million years ago, and was separated from Sardinia because of tectonic movements. Many million years later, the island acquired the present morphology: mainly flat, with calcareous and trachyte rocks and a sporadic Mediterranean vegetation.










VITICULTURE IN THE ISLAND

The sandy lands of the island are suitable for the cultivation of the vine “franca di piede”, which means “with the original roots”, therefore without the use of the American vine’s rootstock. This method insures a unique organoleptic heritage to the grapes and allows the vineyards to achieve an excellent production even in an advanced age. The training system used in the centenary vineyards is the traditional Latin freestanding system, instead modern systems are employed in the new implants, notably the cordon spur system and the espalier system.

The Carignano variety was brought in the Island by the Phoenicians around the IX century BC. In the last three centuries, it has experienced the greater development, because the Island of Sant’Antioco provides all the ideal conditions for the production and growth of this particular variety. The origin and development of viticulture in Sant'Antioco and in Sardinia followed these cycles:

  • Phoenician cycle: introduction of “Nuragus”, “Vernaccia”, and, according to some experts, “Nasco”, “Monica” and “Carignano”;
  • Latin cycle: introduction of “Moscato” and “Apesorgie”;
  • Byzantine cycle: introduction of “Malvasia” and some white noble grapes, like “Alvaregae” and “Gregubiancu”;
  • Spanish cycle: introduction of “Cannonau”, “Bovali”, “Cagnulari”, “Carignano”, “Muristellu”, and according to some experts, “Vermentino” and “Nasco”.

THE WINE

CARIGNANO: the production of this wine is almost entirely focused in the Sulcis area. The vineyards occupy just 1700 hectares, but, despite the limited diffusion, the Carignano can be considered one of the most important and prestigious wines of the Sardinian enology.

Indeed, the Carignano variety is characterized by a strong resistance to salty winds, which has allowed its development in the sandy and sunny lands of Sulcis. These specific lands and the low production per vinestock assign vigour and a rich essence and fragrance to the wine. The wine has an intense ruby colour, a ample fragrance of plum, marasca cherry, sweet spices, chocolate, liquorice and pepper. The taste is aristocratic and balanced with soft tannins.

The wine Carignano del Sulcis was recognised in 1977 as “Denominazione di Origine Controllata” (DOC).

TECHNICAL SHEET

BENTESALI

Carignano del Sulcis D.O.C



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Classification
Wine with a guarantee of quality and origin (DOC - controlled designation of origin)
Region of production
Vineyards located in the lands of the Island of Sant’Antioco
Cultivation system
Ungrafted vines
Training system
Freestanding system and alberello guidato.
Grapes
Carignano 100%
Color
Deep ruby red
Fragrance
Scents of red fruits with spiced notes.
Taste
Sapid and mineral wine. Good intensity and long in the mouth.
Alcohol content
Vol. 13,5% - 15%, it changes from year to year
Food and wine pairing
Pair with grilled meat, lamb and roasted pork, grilled tuna fish.
Production
4000 classic Bordeaux bottles (750ml).
Ageing
Fermentation in steel, followed by refinement in the bottle for six months.

SANTOMORO

Carignano del Sulcis Reserve



For Your online purchases:





Classification
Wine with a guarantee of quality and origin (DOC - controlled designation of origin)
Region of production
Vineyards located in the lands of the Island of Sant’Antioco
Cultivation system
Ungrafted vines
Training system
Freestanding system and alberello guidato.
Grapes
Carignano 100%
Color
Deep ruby red with brown reflection
Fragrance
Intense with Mediterranean scrub notes and red fruit perfume.
Taste
Sapid wine with a good intesity and an ample sip, flowing and polished tannins with a fruity aftertaste.
Alcohol content
Vol. 13,5% - 15%, it changes from year to year.
Food and wine pairing
Pair with grilled meat, lamb and roasted pork, grilled tuna fish.
Production
600 bottles (750ml) per year.
Ageing
Fermentation in steel, followed by refinement in durmast barrels and then in the bottle for two years.

HARVEST AND WINE-MAKING

The grape harvest happens between the 15th and the 30th September. The best Carignano grapes are selected and are harvested by hand. The grapes are placed in boxes and carried to the winery, where, on the same day, they are ground and de-stemmed.

The grapes are brought to the winery on the same day of the harvest. After the weighing, the grapes are ground and de-stemmed. The must is then transferred in the vintner, where it ferments at controlled temperature for two weeks, macerating with the peels. The malolactic fermentation happens immediately after the end of the alcoholic fermentation; afterwards the new wine is decanted, and it rests until the bottling, which takes place between the end of spring and the beginning of summer.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

COMUNITA’ DEL CARIGNANO A PIEDE FRANCO
COMMUNITY OF THE UNGRAFTED CARIGNANO

Vigne Bentesali is one of the founders of the Comunità del Carignano a piede franco (Community of the Ungrafted Carignano), born in 2021. The main goal of this Community is to promote and valorize Carignano wine and the ungrafted vineyards of the Island of Sant’Antioco. The Island is one of a few places in the world where ungrafted vines are still cultivated. The Community wants to valorize this crucial resource of our territory in order to preserve it for the future generations and avoid the extinction to which it is destined today. The Community’s goal has a public interest because the protection of the viticulture landscape, which is a part of our identity, ensures, on one hand, the preservation of ungrafted cultivations, and on the other hand, the relaunch of the Island’s viticulture.

THE VINEYARDS

The Bentesali Vineyards are located in various places of the Island of Sant’Antioco. In plain, the vineyards are surrounded by hedges of Indian fig (fighe s’india), lentisk (moddici), saltbush (erma) and cane fields and they are protected by north-west and south-east winds. In the hills, the hedges of the typical Mediterranean scrub can be found: oleaster (ollastu), cistus (muregu), lentisk, myrtle (murta).

The vineyards are situated in the following regions of the Island: region "Su pranu de sa Cresia", characterized by sandy lands that reach the sea; region "S'Arriaxiu", which has flat and sandy lands; region "Pabirongu", with hilly lands and limy soil; region "Is Scararettus", with sandy lands and under shelter from the strong winds; region "Bingixedda", with limy and sandy soil and exposed to the north wind; region "Sa Scrocca Manna" in the hills near the municipality of Calasetta; region "Giunchera" in which the vineyards are located near the sea in sandy lands exposed to the saline north-west wind. The vines are cultivated in an ideal microclimate, which gives a unique maturation, sugar content and acidity to the grapes, and a singular fragrance, structure and character to the Bentesali wines.

Flat and sandy lands, distance from the sea 1000 mt, exposed to the sun

VINEYARDS VICO IV

Vineyard surface of 2000 mq, distance from the sea 900 mt, sea level 14 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, Latin freestanding training system, planting year 1954, production 8/12 quintals.Lat 39° 4'46.08"N Long 8°26'46.79"E.

Vineyard surface of 2500 mq, distance from the sea 700 mt, sea level 9 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 1998, production 18/20 quintals.

Vineyard surface of 1200 mq, Merlot variety, ungrafted, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 2015, production 6/8 quintals.Lat 39° 4'52.44"N Long 8°26'56.70"E.

VINEYARD VICO XVIII

Vineyard surface of 1200 mq, distance from the sea 900 mt, sea level 7 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 1998, production 10/12 quintals.Lat39° 5'21.22"NLong 8°26'22.14"E.

Flat and sandy lands, distance from the sea 1500 mt, exposed to the sun

VINEYARD SU DE NORATTU

Vineyard surface of 1800 mq, distance from the sea 1500 mt, sea level 16 mt, Carignano variety, grafted on American rootstock, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 1980, production 15/18 quintals. Lat 39° 4'55.56"NLong 8°26'18.76"E.

Hilly area, loose and clayey soil

VINEYARD SA SCROCCA

Vineyard surface of 2000 mq, distance from the sea 2500 mt, sea level 100 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 1985, production 15/18 quintals.Lat 39° 4'59.79"N Long 8°25'3.24"E.

Flat and sandy lands, located near the sea

VINEYARD SANTA ISANDARA

Vineyard surface of 11.500 mq, distance from the sea 30 mt, sea level 1/2 mt, Vermentino variety, ungrafted, Guyot espalier training system, planting year 2020, not in production yet.

Hilly area, loose and clayey soil

VINEYARDS SCARARETTUS

Vineyard surface of 1500 mq, distance from the sea 2500 mt, sea level 65 mt, Carignano variety, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 1983, production 8/10 quintals. Lat 39° 3'36.94"N Long 8°25'58.16"E.

Vineyard surface 800 mq, Moscato variety, Latin freestanding training system, planting year 2022, not in production yet. Lat 39° 3'36.94"N Long 8°25'58.16"E.

Flat and sandy lands, distance from the sea 20 mt

VINEYARDS GIUNCHERA

Vineyard surface of 4200 mq, distance from the sea 20 mt, sea level 2 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 2018, production 15/18 quintals. Lat 39° 6'6.17"NLong 8°24'58.52"E.

Vineyard surface of 2000 mq, distance from the sea 100 mt, sea level 12 mt, Carignano variety, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 2003, production 15/18 quintals. Lat 39° 06'03.1"N Long 8°24'44.1"E.

Vineyard surface of 800 mq, distance from the sea 100 mt, sea level 10 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 2003, production 5/8 quintals. Lat 39° 6'3.21"N Long 8°24'44.48"E.



Vineyard surface of 1400 mq, distance from the sea 50 mt, sea level 8 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, Latin freestanding training system, planting year 2021, not in production yet. Lat 39° 06'06.0"NLong 8°24'45.6"E.

Vineyard surface of 1200 mq, distance from the sea 40 mt, sea level 8 mt, Moscato variety, ungrafted, Latin freestanding training system, planting year 2023, not in production yet. Lat 39° 06'06.2"NLong 8°24'59.2"E.

Clayey soil, steep and sandy lands, distance from the sea 1000 mt, exposed to the sun

VINEYARD S'ACQUA DE SU CARDU

Vineyard surface 1500 mq, distance from the sea 2500 mt, sea level 30 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 2003, production 8/10 quintals. Lat. 39° 4'17.79"N Long 8°26'19.04"E

Flat and sandy lands, distance from the sea 1500 mt, exposed to the sun

VINEYARD CONCAI

Vineyard surface of 700 mq, distance from the sea 1700 mt, sea level 25 mt, Carignano variety, ungrafted, espalier freestanding training system, planting year 1986, production 4/5 quintals. Lat 39° 4'40.29"N Long 8°26'14.93"E.

CONTACTS

Contact us to receive information about Vigne Bentesali.

+39 330 7395 19