Sagrantino: The Story behind the Grape

While Italy remains its primary home, Sagrantino has found its way to other parts of the world, albeit in smaller quantities. Australia began importing Sagrantino in 1998, and interestingly, Australian Sagrantino wines are often described as more immediately approachable and fruit-driven, with less emphasis on long aging.

Here in the United States, Sagrantino is also gaining a small but dedicated following, primarily in California, but also in states like Washington, Texas, North Carolina, and Arizona. This robust grape can handle hotter and drier conditions than many other traditional grapes. In fact, it demands a long, hot summer and is particularly suited to America’s warmest wine regions.

This brings us to our own journey with Sagrantino. As you know, we’re always looking for exceptional grapes to craft wines that excite and delight. That’s why we were so intrigued when we discovered the award-winning Sagrantino grapes being grown right here in the Sierra Foothills at Airola Road Vineyards in Calaveras County.

George and Birgit Klause, the passionate owners of Airola Road Vineyards, have a clear dedication to quality. Situated above New Melones Reservoir, their 11-acre vineyard, planted in 2001, benefits from a unique microclimate – sunny hillside exposure, morning fog, summer winds, and mild winters – which they aptly describe as akin to the ideal Mediterranean climate. This specialized location is clearly perfect for growing exceptional grapes, as evidenced by their numerous awards, including Double Gold and Best in Class at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Tasting Competition.

Among the diverse grapes they cultivate – Barbera, Grenache, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon – we were particularly drawn to their Sagrantino. As we learned, Sagrantino is a rare Italian varietal, and at the time we began working with them, there were only around 24 acres planted in the entire U.S., with 3 of those precious acres right there at Airola Road Vineyards. These sought-after grapes produce top-quality wines known for being powerful, structured, and complex, with those assertive tannins that Sagrantino is famous for. And indeed, several award-winning Sagrantino wines, fetching upwards of $100 per bottle, have come from their vineyard.

Fortunately for all of our pocket books, you’ll find that our Noceto Sagrantino is available at a slightly more approachable price.

Here at Noceto, we feel a kinship with George and Birgit’s commitment to excellence, echoing our own philosophy: “The secret to great wine starts in the vineyard.” At Airola Road Vineyards, they truly produce high-quality grapes that are the foundation for extraordinary wines.

Working with their Sagrantino has been an exciting endeavor for us. We’ve aimed to capture the unique terroir of their Calaveras County vineyard while honoring the inherent characteristics of this fascinating Italian grape. Our Vino Noceto Sagrantino showcases the deep color, the intriguing aromas of dark fruit and spice, and of course, that signature tannic structure that makes Sagrantino so distinctive. It’s a wine that we believe offers a taste of something truly special and reflects the dedication of both our team and the Klauses at Airola Road Vineyards.