Blog: Santa Venere · Calabria

The great goal of Santa Venere is to make the autochthonous Calabrian wine known throughout the world and, above all, to appreciate, to glorify its land: this is the main competitive feature of Santa Venere's activity, of course, in conjunction with the high quality of its wines.

The organic farm Santa Venere extends over about 150 hectares in the hills of the ancient Terra di Cirò, a small town in Calabria in the province of Crotone with very ancient origins that are particularly important for its history and culture. This area, with its flat landscape sloping towards the sea and its gentle hills, is an area highly appreciated for wine and oil cultivation. The land has been owned by the Scala family since the 16th century, which has always been dedicated to the cultivation of wine and olive trees, but there was no agricultural complex like the one that exists today. In ancient times there was only the house of the Scala family, to which was attached an ancient oil mill made up of heavy stone wheels (the remains of which are still jealously guarded) that turned in circles and were pulled by animals, a system that allowed the grinding of olives. The grapes were produced in the vineyards to supply the processors.

In 1960 Federico Scala, grandson of Falcone Lucifero, Minister of the Royal House, took over the management of this activity. It is thanks to him that the business center was created outside the family farmhouse, to which he gave the name of Santa Venere, named after the stream that runs through the property. Federico was the only one of the family to work the farm. Later, after he had finished his studies, he was joined by his son Giuseppe: together, and with great determination, they decided to give the farm a new and important impulse, starting with winemaking and opting for organic farming. To this end, Federico and Giuseppe Scala chose an internationally renowned oenologist: Riccardo Cotarella, who accompanied them until 2016 and was later replaced by his trusted collaborator Massimo Bartolini.

The idea from the beginning was to focus on native grape varieties to enhance their land, a modern and effective turn that also affects the image of the products. Since the death of his father Federico in 2012, his son Giuseppe manages the company with the same commitment and passion that his father gave him. With Giuseppe, the great goal of making the native Calabrian wine known and, above all, appreciated throughout the world, continues to be pursued and strengthened. Today Giuseppe can count on the active collaboration of his younger brother Francesco, who recently graduated from university. In the more distant future, it will be all Federico's grandchildren who will continue the company's mission and carry the family name ever higher. - Gerardo [TS07/22]