DOMAINE SANTAMARIA

Domaine Santamaria is in Oletta – the southern edge of the Patrimonio appellation, on the shores of the Lac Padula. The project is run by the father and son – Jean-Luc and Thomas, who represents the sixth generation of the Santamaria family. In 2016, after few years of working as a sommelier, Thomas has returned to his home village, where since his childhood he had forged strong bonds with other winegrowers – both the elders whom he respects more than ever and the younger winemakers who like himself, are behind the revival of the Patrimonio AOC.

The farming at Santamaria has always been respectful of nature – with no herbicides or pesticides ever used, which made the conversion to organic farming a mere formality. Taking it one step further, Thomas is also experimenting with biodynamic preparations as well as following the lunar cycle for all work in the vineyards and in the winery.

We were really impressed with Domaine Santamaria Partimonio wines – the characterful and mineral driven white made with Vermentinu and the red – a pure expression of the Niellucciu (aka Sangiovese) grown on schist rich soils. Finally, we couldn’t resist to also bring small quantity of a very special white called ‘Ciclon’ – a curious blend of the Muscat à Pettits Granis and Vermentinu.