Castello della Sala
The Wine
San Giovanni comes from Castello della Sala’s vineyards and is made with a blend of Grechetto, Procanico, Pinot Bianco and Viognier, a contemporary representation of Orvieto Classico.
The Wine
San Giovanni comes from Castello della Sala’s vineyards and is made with a blend of Grechetto, Procanico, Pinot Bianco and Viognier, a contemporary representation of Orvieto Classico.
Climate
The 2025 growing season was overall favorable: winter was mild and free of extreme weather events, allowing for proper vine dormancy. Spring was regular, with average temperatures and sufficient rainfall ensuring good vegetative recovery and uniform budbreak. Summer was warm without prolonged heat peaks, thanks also to ventilation and the altitude of the hillside vineyards, which helped limit water stress and promoted balanced grape ripening. Rainfall, although not abundant, was concentrated in the first half of August, ensuring good vine vigor and a slow, steady ripening process. These climatic conditions also favored the development of complex aromas while maintaining a good balance between sugars and acidity. The grape harvest began in the last week of August with Grechetto, Viognier and Pinot Bianco, varieties that showed excellent aromatic freshness. Procanico was harvested around mid-September, with perfectly healthy grapes characterized by a harmonious and well-balanced organoleptic profile.
Vinification
Upon arrival in the cellar, the grapes were fermented separately by variety to enhance their individual characteristics. Part of the must underwent cold maceration, remaining in contact with the skins for approximately 6 hours at a temperature of 10 °C (50 °F), before being blended with the portion obtained from gentle direct pressing. The resulting must was transferred into stainless steel tanks where alcoholic fermentation took place at a controlled temperature of 16 °C (61 °F). The wine remained on its lees for several months to enhance elegance and minerality, up until final blending and bottling.
Historical Data
San Giovanni is produced from the vineyards surrounding the medieval castle at Castello della Sala and is a blend of indigenous varieties, Grechetto, Procanico with Pinot Blanc and Viognier; a new interpretation of the Orvieto Classico appellation. The first vintage of Castello della Sala’s Orvieto Classico was 1990.
Tasting Notes
San Giovanni della Sala 2025 is bright straw yellow in color, with delicate greenish nuances that anticipate its freshness and vibrancy. The nose offers a fine and elegant aromatic profile: notes of white flowers intertwine with fruity hints of white peach, accompanied by citrus nuances of lime and yellow grapefruit that enhance its fragrance. On the palate, the wine is enveloping and well-balanced, with a structure that harmonizes freshness and softness. Its lively acidity, together with citrus notes, gives the wine balance and a pleasantly persistent finish.
Castello della Sala
Castello della Sala is located in the Umbria region, not far from the Tuscan border, about 18 kilometers from the historic city of Orvieto. The Medieval castle’s property extends over an area of 600 hectares (1482 acres), 229 hectares (495 acres) are planted with vineyards at an altitude that varies between 220 and 470 meters above sea level (722/1541 feet) on the gently rolling hillsides that characterize the beautiful countryside in this area. Castello della Sala is the perfect place for growing white varieties. The vines grow in clay and calcareous based soils, rich in fossil shells, and they are well exposed to the rising of the sun with an excellent difference of temperature between day and night. The one exception to the rule is Pinot Noir, the only red variety that has found in this area ideal growing conditions to best express its full potential.
Soil
Soils originating from sedimentary deposits of marine fossils with veins of clay.
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
