Sassara Vini

Lago di Garda, Veneto, Italy 

Wines by Alessia and Stefano Bertaiola

Varietals and key wines include; ‘Bardolino’, ‘Custoza’, Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, Rossanella, Fernanda, Moscato, Trebbianello, Trebbiano, Garganega, Tocai

Sassara Vini is a new project for experienced winemaking duo Alessia and Stefano Bertaiola. Situated 24 km from Verona, in Monte Mamaor, the winery is perched in the morainic hills some 200 metres above sea level.

Alessia is a research and agriculture expert and Stefano a third generation winemaker. In 2007, they converted this 50 year old vineyard to start making biodynamic wine. 

The 10 hectare calcareous soil site has ideal conditions for the mostly indigenous Garganega, Trebbianello, Tocai, Moscato, Fernanda, Trebbiano for the white grapes and Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Molinara and Rossanella for red.

Soils are rich in marine deposits, shaped by historical glacial activity and the fact the land was once submerged by an ancient sea. Morainic sediment (Quartz, Granite, Calcarius, Alabaster) help ensure Alessia and Stefano are blessed with mostly big, sturdy vines aged between 60 and 70 years old, alongside some younger vines they have planted themselves. 

These wines represent an avant garde version of a mostly classic and conventional region of winemaking. Known for the ‘international’ classic wines such as Amarone and Valpolicella, the more authentic wines of Bardolino's past. Sassara Vini wines create their own interpretation of this region (Sassara Custoza, Bardolino & Bardolino Chiaretto for example) made in a natural unfined and unfiltered way. They are full of dazzling fruit and minerality and carry the collective wisdom of local wine drinkers through the centuries.