Blog: Cantina Sant' Andrea | Lazio

In 1968 the first grapes were harvested and processed in the vineyards of Cantina Sant' Andrea, where the first customers still received wine bottles with hand-marked labels. Only gradually did wine barrels move in and a long-standing family tradition found its continuation. The clan of the owner family Pandolfo pursues two goals, the first one refers to the renewal and experimentation with well-known grape varieties, the second one to the tradition and the rediscovery of the past with sometimes almost extinct grape varieties. The immediate surroundings of the winery are almost devoid of viticultural tradition, although with its exceptional microclimate it is ideal for tasting and experimentation. Here mainly international grape varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet thrive, rather than giving preference to native grape varieties.

Hidden in the barren hills that surround the town of Terracina, you can rediscover ancient grape varieties and the wines made from them that the Romans already knew and appreciated, such as Cesanese, Trebbiano and the high quality Moscato di Terracina. The Pandolfos' winery has been completely renovated within a decade, bringing the technology up to date. This includes soft wine presses for sweet and prized musts, and temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to enhance the characteristics of the aromatic wines. A photovoltaic system was also recently installed to make the winery self-sufficient in energy. In this regard, all the efforts of the Pandolfos have the goal of accompanying in the best possible way what nature and the vineyard produce.

On the barren hills south of Rome, which surround the town of Terracina, grow ancient muscat vines, which were already known and appreciated by the Romans. The exceptional microclimate here has produced a special variety of Muscat grape. Thanks to the careful cultivation in the vineyard and the clean aging in the cellar, the 'Moscato di Terracina - Oppidum' is probably the most exciting recommendation: the bouquet-rich white wine has a strong, straw-yellow color with golden reflections. The nose is intense and typical of Muscat: notes of exotic fruits, apricots and dried rose petals, complex and lush - the description 'room-filling' suggests itself without wanting to sound negative. The palate is rich and full-bodied, with balanced acidity and exuberant flavor, with a lingering finish. The most important characteristic, however, is that the wine is dry; contrary to the usual processing as a sweet wine, Moscato di Terracina Secco 'Oppidum' is one of the few, dry muscatels - which is precisely why it is so popular. From the same, local grape, a remarkable Spumante is also pressed at Sant'Andrea. - Gerardo [TS06/22]

"Pandolfo have to contend with two different soil types. The hinterland of the coast consists of sandy soil in which Malvasia and Trebbiano, grown on pergolas, give excellent results. In the plain of Campo Soriano - incidentally a fine example of revived viticulture - a clayey subsoil prevails. For the red wine sector, Sant' Andrea is planning to replant the old vineyards, although at present Moscato di Terracina continues to give the most exciting results." - Slow Wine

"The Pandolfo family has been around the world a lot, as far as Tunisia it has taken the native Sicilians. Finally, however, they have landed, now decades ago, in Terracina, where they have settled in splendidly. They made a name for themselves on the local wine scene by enhancing the value of the native Moscato grape, which, once used only as a table grape, can now lay claim to its own DOC. Sant'Andrea declines Moscato di Terracina in five different subspecies, but also has other autochthonous vines in its roster." - Gambero Rosso