Domaine Santa Maria, Saint Florent, Patrimonio
Thomas Santamaria is the 6:th generation to make wine here and since he very recently took over his father’s job as the big chief, he has started a lot of new and interesting experiments. He’s very curious and passionate about wine and has left this island many times to travel and learn more. This was something we really felt in the wines, the first time we had the opportunity to try them.
Except for the passion he feels for the wine and vinification, Thomas also looks at how he can make the most out of his land. He has realized by using biodynamic treatments and following the lunar calendar that this is the right way to go for him.
Today the Domaine has in total 30 hectares, spread out over 3 different communes: Oletta, Olmeta-di-Tuda and St.-Florent in Patrimonio, northern Corsica.
The type of soils here are limestone and schist and are in a very good shape because no one fancied to start using herbicides and pesticides when that trend came in the 70’s.
The wines are elegant, expressive and fun. The reds are salty, the whites mineral, and there are some crazy orange stuff.
2021 Tranoï Blanc
Soil: Limestone
Grape: Vermentino
Appellation: Vin de France
Age of Vines: Planted 2020
Vinification: Destemmed and then macerated with the skins for 2 hours before pressing, fermentation on stainless steel tanks and ageing on the lees until bottling in May 2022.
2018 Montre Tes Yeux Blanc
Soil: Schist
Grape: Vermentino
Appellation: Vin de France
Age of Vines: Planted in 1992
Vinification: Destemmed and then very light skin maceration for 8 months before pressing and ageing on the lees in one stainless steel tank until bottling in May 2019.
2021 Tranoï Rosé
Soil: Schist
Grape: Grenache
Appellation: Vin de France
Age of Vines: Planted in 1990
Vinification: Destemmed and maceration for 4 hours with minimum extraction, before pressed and aged in stainless steel tanks until bottled in March 2022.
2019 Montre Tes Yeux Rouge
Soil: Schist
Grape: Cinsault
Appellation: Vin de France
Age of Vines: Planted in 1957
Vinification: Destemmed and macerated for 4-5 weeks with minimum extraction, before pressed and aged in stainless steel tanks until bottled in May 2020.
2019 Patrimonio Rouge
Soil: Argilocalcaire
Grape: 100% Nielluccio (Sangiovese)
Appellation: Patrimonio
Age of Vines: Planted in 1960
Vinification: Destemmed and macerated for 14 days with careful extraction, before pressing and ageing in stainless steel tanks for 3 years before bottling
2021 Tranoï Rouge
Soil: Schist
Grape: Grenache
Appellation: Vin de France
Age of Vines: Planted in 1990
Vinification: Destemmed and macerated for 10 days with minimum extraction, before pressed and aged in stainless steel tanks until bottled in May 2022.