Ciro And historical denomination from the Calabriaamong the oldest in the Bel Paese wine region. The wines are produced in eastern hills of the Sila plateau and on the Ionian coast of Crotone, in the municipalities of Ciro, Cirò Marina, Crucoli and Melissa, among flat countryside and rolling hills. The prevalent grapes are Gaglioppo for the reds and Greco for white people.
The organic farm Holy Venus it extends for approximately 154 hectares on the hills of Cirò. Since 1600 the lands have been owned by the Scala family, which has always been dedicated to the cultivation of vines and olive trees. In the 1960 the turning point: taking the reins of the business is Federico Scala, nephew of Falcone Lucifero, minister of the Royal House of Savoy. Thanks to him, the company center was born, detached from the family farmhouse, which he named Santa Venere, from the name of the torrent that crosses the property. Federico was the only member of the family to work in the company. Later his son Giuseppe joined the company: together they developed the company and focused on biologicalcalling a renowned winemaker as Riccardo Cotarella, which follows them until 2016.
The style is to focus on native vines and on relaunching the image of Calabria enoica to enhance an uncontaminated and extraordinary territory. Today the company is followed by the two brothers Giuseppe and Francesco. In the 2023 a new wing of the company structure has been created dedicated to classic method processing and for the storage of bottles, another part is destined for the company oil mill. 5 new hectares of vineyards have recently been planted on already owned land, always focusing on the native vines that Santa Venere already valorises, i.e. Guardavalle, Zibibbo and Marseille Nera. The two brothers like to innovate: the company’s flagship is Lo classic method sparkling wine SP1, obtained dwith Gaglioppo grapes, vinified in white and rosé.
The cellar of the organic farm Santa Venere
The organic certification – of which the company is a pioneer in the region – is written in the company’s Bylaws: the exclusion of synthetic chemical products enhances the natural resources of the land, in full respect of the characteristics of the soil and the biodiversity. The owned vineyards extend for 30 hectares in the heart of Cirò 500 meters from the Ionian Sea, exposed to the sun and the winds; they are raised in spurred cordon and located in the localities named: Volta Grande, Vurgadà, Piana di Coletta, Sant’Angelo, Speziale. Production is approx 250,000 bottlesand, distributed in the Horeca and wine shops channel, with 50% exports.
The tastings
The 4 wines of the cellar tasted
Bishopric and Barrel Bashing 2023 they are two crus, a white from Guardavalle grapes the first, and a rosé from Marsigliana Nera grapes the second (both between 15 and 16 €). Sips a little wild, of great vivacity, flavor, verticality, for summer dinners under the stars. Vurgada 2022 it is a red wine made from Nerello Cappuccio grapes (those from Etna) which are partly dried, it ages 6 months in barrique, it has a nose of ripe red fruit, it is soft but not austere in the mouth, it is very drinkable (€16). Finally, the classic method bubbles: SP1 Rosé made from 100% Gaglioppo grapes grown as saplings, it ages 18 months on the lees, delicate with small red fruits on the nose, pleasantly vertical on the palate, perfect with any meal (€26).
Info: www.santavenere.com
