Founded in 1898 in Cabras, on the Sinis peninsula in west-central Sardinia, Contini is the oldest continuously running winery on the island and the producer most closely identified with Vernaccia di Oristano. Five generations of the same family have worked vineyards in the lower Tirso valley, releasing wines from native varieties (Vernaccia di Oristano, Cannonau, Vermentino, Nieddera, Bovale Sardo) alongside the long-aged Vernaccia riservas that built the estate's reputation.
Sardinia
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Bookable experiences, curated by our editors. External booking where marked.
Guided walk through the redesigned 2022 cellar and the historic bottaia at Cabras, followed by a tasting of three wines chosen from a flight of five and served with a Sardinian charcuterie and pecorino board.
Book this experienceGuided walk through the redesigned 2022 cellar and the historic bottaia at Cabras, followed by a tasting of three wines chosen from a flight of five and served with a Sardinian charcuterie and pecorino board.
Book this experienceSalvatore Contini and his wife Anna Maria Dessì founded the cantina in 1898 in Cabras, a fishing village beside the lagoon of Sa Mardini and the Phoenician site of Tharros. The Contini family had been documented in the area since 1642, when parish marriage records register a Salvador Continy Murtas, but the wine business itself dates to the closing years of the 19th century. The Sinis peninsula it was built on is dry, low-lying and sandy, criss-crossed by the Tirso river before it empties into the Gulf of Oristano: a landscape that fits Vernaccia di Oristano almost to the point of inevitability.
The estate's reputation took shape under Attilio Contini, the founder's son, who grew the cellar in the 1930s and 1940s and consolidated supply by buying grapes from neighbouring growers. By the 1960s Vernaccia di Oristano was the most respected wine on Sardinia, and in 1971 it became the island's first DOC. Antonio, Salvatore (Totino) and Paolo took over after Attilio's death in 1980, expanding the range and starting to recover near-extinct natives like Nieddera, Caddiu and Muristellu (Bovale Sardo).
The cellar is now run by Alessandro Contini, son of Totino, and Mauro Contini, son of Antonio, with Paolo Contini serving as honorary president. Across more than thirty labels, the lineup is anchored by long-aged Vernaccia di Oristano (Antico Gregori, Pontis, Componidori, Vernaccia Flor) and extends into Cannonau di Sardegna ('Inu, Sartiglia), Vermentino di Sardegna (Pariglia), Vermentino di Gallura DOCG (Elibaria) and Isola dei Nuraghi IGT blends, including Karmis (Vermentino with Vernaccia) and Barrile. A small organic Mamaioa range and the Attilio sparkling line round out the catalogue.
At the centre of the cellar sits the bottaia storica, the historic chestnut-cask barrel hall where Vernaccia di Oristano matures slowly under flor. The Antico Gregori is the estate's flagship Vernaccia di Oristano DOC Riserva, drawn from a perpetual-style assemblage of vintages reaching decades back. Its profile (toasted almond, walnut, dried orange peel, salty finish, a hint of curry leaf from extended flor ageing) is the textbook reference for the appellation and one of the rare points of comparison Italy can offer to Sherry's amontillado and palo cortado styles.
In 2022 the family inaugurated a redesigned cellar building, conceived as a destination as well as a working winery. Visits run by appointment Monday to Saturday and combine a tour of the new spaces and the historic bottaia with a guided tasting, paired with Sardinian salumi and pecorino. The shop on Via Genova in Cabras stays open the same days and is the easiest way to taste the Componidori, Karmis and 'Inu without booking ahead.
Editorially verified by ItalianWines.co.uk.
Plate I · SARDINIA
Est. 1898 
Tastings
Tours
Accommodation
Booking required 
18
