Castello della Sala is the Antinori family’s Umbrian estate, built around a 14th century fortress at Loc. Sala in Ficulle, in the province of Terni. The 229 hectares of vineyards on clay and limestone soils, between 220 and 470 metres of altitude, are the source of the Cervaro, Muffato and Pinot Nero della Sala wines, all bottled under the Umbria IGT.
Umbria
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Tastings and direct bottle purchase at the estate wine shop next to the medieval cellars in Ficulle. By appointment only. Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00. Reservations by email at [email protected] or by telephone on +39 0763 86051.
EnquireTastings and direct bottle purchase at the estate wine shop next to the medieval cellars in Ficulle. By appointment only. Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, and Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00. Reservations by email at [email protected] or by telephone on +39 0763 86051.
EnquireCastello della Sala sits in the Ficulle countryside of southern Umbria, halfway between the Paglia river and Monte Nibbio, about 18 kilometres from Orvieto. The medieval manor was built in 1350 by Angelo Monaldeschi della Vipera, a member of the Orvieto family that had arrived in Italy in the ninth century with Charlemagne. After centuries of dynastic feuds for control of Orvieto, the property passed through several owners before Marquis Niccolo Antinori acquired it for the family in 1940. The estate covers 600 hectares in total, 229 of which are vineyards. The vines climb to between 220 and 470 metres above sea level on clay and calcareous soils rich in marine fossils, with strong day-night temperature swings. Altitude, exposure and limestone have favoured white grape varieties: Procanico and Grechetto sit alongside Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Traminer and Riesling, with Pinot Nero as the only red of note. The estate's reputation as a serious white wine address dates from the late 1970s. Renzo Cotarella joined Castello della Sala in summer 1979, aged twenty-five, and began trialling Chardonnay alongside Grechetto for a wine that could age. The 1985 vintage delivered the first Cervaro della Sala, one of the earliest Italian whites to undergo malolactic fermentation and barrique aging. Cervaro takes its name from the Monaldeschi della Cervara branch of the Orvieto family that once owned the castle. The Castello della Sala range now spans six wines, all under the Umbria IGT. Bramito della Sala is the entry-level Chardonnay. Cervaro della Sala is the flagship white. Muffato della Sala is one of Italy's reference botrytis dessert wines, blending Sauvignon Blanc, Grechetto, Traminer, Semillon and Riesling picked from late October into November as morning mists settle into the vineyards. San Giovanni della Sala leans on Trebbiano, Conte della Vipera is the estate Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Nero della Sala has had its own bottling since the 1990 vintage. The estate runs a wine shop next to the medieval cellars at Loc. Sala. Tastings and direct purchase are by appointment, on weekdays from 9:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 13:00. Reservations are confirmed by email at [email protected] or by telephone on +39 0763 86051.
Editorially verified by ItalianWines.co.uk.
Plate I · UMBRIA
Castello della Sala's current bottle selection is easiest to understand through Chardonnay.
Est. 1940 
8 wines 
Tastings
Tours
Accommodation
Booking required 
