San Giovanni Della Sala
Climate
The 2021 growing season began with cold winter conditions followed by fairly typical spring weather. At the beginning of April, when bud break was already well underway, a sudden drop in temperatures caused a significant reduction in yields but did not have any adverse effects on the potential for the highest quality fruit. Consequently, vine development was delayed by about two weeks. May saw cool temperatures and limited rainfall. The summer months brought sunny skies and beneficial temperature swings between day and night allowing the vines to catch up to a normal pace and guaranteeing an optimal ripening phase. Beautiful weather starting in August provided perfect conditions for vineyard crews to carefully select the best quality grapes at just the right time to obtain the finest varietal expression. Harvesting activities of Grechetto, Viognier, and Pinot Bianco for San Giovanni della Sala began the last week of August and was concluded with Procanico mid-September. The 2021 harvest is considered exceptional in terms of quality but with limited yields.
Vinification
The grapes were brought to the cellar and each different grape variety was fermented separately to enhance their unique varietal 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 enhance 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. Intense on the nose with aromas of white flower blossoms accompanied by hints of citrus fruit and white pulp fruit. The palate has good structure defined by an excellent savory quality yet sustained by pleasant freshness.
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 2021 growing season began with cold winter conditions followed by fairly typical spring weather. At the beginning of April, when bud break was already well underway, a sudden drop in temperatures caused a significant reduction in yields but did not have any adverse effects on the potential for the highest quality fruit. Consequently, vine development was delayed by about two weeks. May saw cool temperatures and limited rainfall. The summer months brought sunny skies and beneficial temperature swings between day and night allowing the vines to catch up to a normal pace and guaranteeing an optimal ripening phase. Beautiful weather starting in August provided perfect conditions for vineyard crews to carefully select the best quality grapes at just the right time to obtain the finest varietal expression. Harvesting activities of Grechetto, Viognier, and Pinot Bianco for San Giovanni della Sala began the last week of August and was concluded with Procanico mid-September. The 2021 harvest is considered exceptional in terms of quality but with limited yields.
Vinification
The grapes were brought to the cellar and each different grape variety was fermented separately to enhance their unique varietal 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 enhance 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. Intense on the nose with aromas of white flower blossoms accompanied by hints of citrus fruit and white pulp fruit. The palate has good structure defined by an excellent savory quality yet sustained by pleasant freshness.
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
