About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The estate vineyards lie in the Umbrian hills, approximately 18 km from Orvieto, at elevations of 220–470 m. They have an eastern exposure and mainly clay-limestone soils of Pliocene origin, rich in marine fossils. Pronounced differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures characterize the site.
Grapes
The 2021 blend comprises 93% Chardonnay and 7% Grechetto.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness during the cool morning hours to preserve their freshness and integrity, then carefully selected at the winery. They remain in contact with their skins for four hours at 10 °C before the must is transferred by gravity to settling tanks.
The varieties are vinified separately: Chardonnay ferments in French oak barriques, while Grechetto ferments in stainless-steel tanks. After malolactic fermentation is completed, the wines are blended in stainless steel in February.
Ageing
Cervaro della Sala was among the first Italian wines to be aged in barriques. After bottling, it rests for several months in Castello della Sala’s historic cellar, whose thick walls maintain naturally constant temperature and humidity.
Tasting profile
Elegant and complex, with distinctive character and a clear expression of its terroir. The 2021 shows freshness, a fine aromatic profile and strong varietal character.
Vintage notes
April frosts reduced yields in 2021, but good weather from August onward provided favorable harvesting conditions. Chardonnay was picked from the third week of August; the berries were ripe and healthy, with excellent freshness and a fine aromatic profile. Grechetto followed approximately 15 days later, around mid-September. The resulting wines showed exceptional quality and strong varietal character.
Label / history
The wine takes its name from the historic noble Monaldeschi della Cervara family, owners of Il Castello della Sala in the XVI century. First produced in 1985, it was among the first Italian wines to undergo malolactic fermentation and ageing in barriques.
