San Giovanni Della Sala
Climate
The 2020 growing season will be remembered for dry climatic conditions. The winter months saw virtually no precipitation nor extreme cold events with fairly moderate temperatures prevailing. Spring started slightly later compared to previous years with mild daytime weather and higher than average temperatures with the exception of a couple of cool spells at the beginning of April. From the month of June up until Ferragosto (August 15th) hot, dry weather brought the grapes to full ripeness ahead of schedule. A summer storm at the end of August refreshed late ripening varieties such as Grechetto and Procanico guaranteeing an optimal ripening phase that preserved freshness and aromas. Harvesting of Grechetto, Viognier and Pinot Bianco for San Giovanni began the last week of August and was completed with Procanico mid-September.
Vinification
The grapes were brought to the cellar and each different grape variety was fermented separately to enhance their unique characteristics. Part of the must was cold soaked on the skins for about 6 hours at a controlled temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) and then blended with the other part that was only gently pressed. The blended must was then transferred into temperature controlled stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a temperature of 16 °C (61 °F). The wine was left to age on the lees for several months and up until the final blending and bottling to improve its structure, elegance and minerality
Historical Data
San Giovanni is produced from the vineyards surrounding the medieval castle at Castello della Sala and is a blend of indigenous varieties, Grechetto, Procanico with Pinot Blanc and Viognier; a new interpretation of the Orvieto Classico appellation. The first vintage of Castello della Sala’s Orvieto Classico was 1990.
Tasting Notes
San Giovanni della Sala is a pale straw yellow color with greenish highlights. Its nose offers pleasurable notes of tropical fruit that merge with light mineral sensations. On the palate, excellent balance between structure and freshness, good savory character and pleasant persistence of yellow fruit.
The Wine
San Giovanni comes from Castello della Sala’s vineyards and is made with a blend of Grechetto, Procanico, Pinot Bianco and Viognier, a contemporary representation of Orvieto Classico.
Climate
The 2020 growing season will be remembered for dry climatic conditions. The winter months saw virtually no precipitation nor extreme cold events with fairly moderate temperatures prevailing. Spring started slightly later compared to previous years with mild daytime weather and higher than average temperatures with the exception of a couple of cool spells at the beginning of April. From the month of June up until Ferragosto (August 15th) hot, dry weather brought the grapes to full ripeness ahead of schedule. A summer storm at the end of August refreshed late ripening varieties such as Grechetto and Procanico guaranteeing an optimal ripening phase that preserved freshness and aromas. Harvesting of Grechetto, Viognier and Pinot Bianco for San Giovanni began the last week of August and was completed with Procanico mid-September.
Vinification
The grapes were brought to the cellar and each different grape variety was fermented separately to enhance their unique characteristics. Part of the must was cold soaked on the skins for about 6 hours at a controlled temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) and then blended with the other part that was only gently pressed. The blended must was then transferred into temperature controlled stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a temperature of 16 °C (61 °F). The wine was left to age on the lees for several months and up until the final blending and bottling to improve its structure, elegance and minerality
Historical Data
San Giovanni is produced from the vineyards surrounding the medieval castle at Castello della Sala and is a blend of indigenous varieties, Grechetto, Procanico with Pinot Blanc and Viognier; a new interpretation of the Orvieto Classico appellation. The first vintage of Castello della Sala’s Orvieto Classico was 1990.
Tasting Notes
San Giovanni della Sala is a pale straw yellow color with greenish highlights. Its nose offers pleasurable notes of tropical fruit that merge with light mineral sensations. On the palate, excellent balance between structure and freshness, good savory character and pleasant persistence of yellow fruit.
Castello della Sala
Castello della Sala is located in the Umbria region, not far from the Tuscan border, about 18 kilometers from the historic city of Orvieto. The Medieval castle’s property extends over an area of 600 hectares (1482 acres), 229 hectares (495 acres) are planted with vineyards at an altitude that varies between 220 and 470 meters above sea level (722/1541 feet) on the gently rolling hillsides that characterize the beautiful countryside in this area. Castello della Sala is the perfect place for growing white varieties. The vines grow in clay and calcareous based soils, rich in fossil shells, and they are well exposed to the rising of the sun with an excellent difference of temperature between day and night. The one exception to the rule is Pinot Noir, the only red variety that has found in this area ideal growing conditions to best express its full potential.
Soil
Soils originating from sedimentary deposits of marine fossils with veins of clay.
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
