From Loiri Porto San Paolo to Sassari and Arzachena, three wineries tell the story of contemporary Gallura’s wine identity
When speaking about Sardinian wine, the mind immediately turns to Gallura. This unique territory within the Italian wine landscape is where the sea meets the mountains, granite emerges from the soil, and the wind becomes a fundamental element in the quality of the grapes.
It is here that Vermentino di Gallura DOCG is born, the only DOCG denomination in Sardinia and the symbol of a land that, over the past twenty years, has built an international reputation based on authenticity, territorial character, and a strong landscape identity.
From the hills of Loiri Porto San Paolo to the countryside around Sassari and the historic vineyards of the Costa Smeralda, Gallura is home to wineries that differ greatly in size and production philosophy, yet share one common trait: the ability to transform an extraordinary territory into distinctive and highly sought-after wines.
Among these, three representative estates stand out in modern Gallurese viticulture: Vini Mura, Tenute Delogu, and Cantina delle Vigne di Piero Mancini.
Gallura: Sardinia’s Most Distinctive Terroir
Gallura represents one of the most unique wine-growing areas in the Mediterranean.
The landscape is characterized by:
• Ancient granite-based soils;
• Significant day-to-night temperature variations;
• Constant maritime ventilation;
• Exceptional sunlight exposure;
• Low rainfall during the ripening season.
These elements create wines of remarkable personality, distinguished by freshness, salinity, and a pronounced mineral character.
The undisputed star remains Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, but the region is increasingly successful with varieties such as Cannonau, Moscato di Gallura, Bovale, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
Vini Mura: Authentic Gallura Through the Story of a Family
In the locality of Azzanidò, within the municipality of Loiri Porto San Paolo, stands one of the most authentic wineries of southern Gallura.
The story of Vini Mura began in 1975 when Filippo Mura planted the first vineyards in a valley protected by the Gallurese hills, an area blessed with a particularly favorable microclimate for viticulture.
A Unique Terroir Between Sea and Mountains
The estate extends across approximately 20 hectares and benefits from constant ventilation generated by the meeting of sea breezes and inland mountain currents. The soils are composed of clay, sand, and decomposed granite, a combination that gives the wines a strong territorial identity.
The winery remains entirely family-managed and follows a production philosophy that today would be defined as sustainable, although for the Mura family it simply reflects the traditional way of farming the land:
• Predominantly manual vineyard operations;
• Low yields per hectare;
• Use of organic products;
• Recycling of winemaking by-products as natural fertilizers;
• Reduced sulfur usage;
• Energy sourced from alternative renewable resources.
Vineyards and Labels
Each vineyard parcel possesses its own distinct characteristics:
• Vigna Sienda, dedicated to Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG;
• Vigna Cheremi, for Vermentino di Gallura DOCG;
• Vigna Cortes, producing Cannonau di Sardegna DOC;
• Vigna Baja, dedicated to Bovale;
• Vigna Prisma, reserved for selected Vermentino and Cannonau productions.
Among the winery’s flagship labels are:
• Sienda Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG;
• Cheremi Vermentino di Gallura DOCG;
• Cortes Cannonau di Sardegna DOC;
• Jara Isola dei Nuraghi IGT;
• Baja Rosso IGT;
• Prisma Vermentino and Cannonau.
A Boutique Winery with Strong Identity
With approximately 18 hectares overall, including 8.8 hectares of vineyards, seven registered trademarks, and a highly artisanal approach, Vini Mura represents an outstanding example of a family winery capable of enhancing the territory through limited, high-quality production.
Piero Mancini: The Pioneer of Modern Vermentino
Speaking about Gallura without mentioning Piero Mancini means telling only part of the story.
Cantina delle Vigne di Piero Mancini is one of the wineries that has contributed most significantly to the international recognition of Vermentino di Gallura.
Located in the heart of Gallura, the company was among the first to recognize the qualitative and commercial potential of Vermentino, helping establish its reputation across both Italian and international markets.
Today, it remains one of the historic names of the denomination, associated with wines that elegantly express the mineral, maritime, and Mediterranean character typical of Gallura’s soils.
Gallura: One of Italy’s Most Attractive Wine Investment Regions
Today, Gallura is arguably one of Italy’s most attractive wine-producing areas from an investment perspective.
The reasons are numerous:
• Continuous growth in the reputation of Vermentino di Gallura DOCG;
• Strong international tourism appeal;
• Proximity to the Costa Smeralda;
• Availability of highly distinctive terroirs;
• Growing demand for identity-driven white wines;
• Expansion of premium wine tourism.
The stories of Vini Mura, Tenute Delogu, and Piero Mancini demonstrate how very different business models can coexist successfully in Gallura: the small family winery, the large-scale producer, and the historic estate that helped build the reputation of an entire region.
It is precisely this diversity, combined with the uniqueness of the landscape and the strength of Vermentino, that makes Gallura one of the most fascinating and promising territories in contemporary Italian wine.
Tenute Delogu: One of Sardinia’s Leading Wine Estates
If Vini Mura embodies the artisanal soul of Gallura, Tenute Delogu represents the industrial and entrepreneurial dimension of Sardinian wine.
Located near Sassari, the company owns more than 213 hectares, including approximately 80 hectares of vineyards spread across four separate estates situated in the most suitable wine-growing areas of northern Sardinia.
A Valuable Vineyard Heritage
The vineyards are planted on Hercynian granite soils at elevations ranging from 50 to 500 meters above sea level.
Cultivated varieties include:
• Vermentino di Gallura DOCG;
• Vermentino di Sardegna DOC;
• Moscato di Gallura DOC;
• Cannonau di Sardegna DOC;
• Merlot;
• Cabernet Sauvignon;
• Pinot;
• Chardonnay.
A Modern and Highly Technological Winery
The production facility covers more than 2,400 square meters and is among the most advanced winemaking structures in Sardinia.
Its main features include:
• Three winemaking lines;
• 74 stainless-steel tanks;
• Storage capacity of 12,000 hectoliters;
• 14 pressure tanks for sparkling wine production;
• Barrel cellar with barriques and oak casks;
• Bottling line capable of producing up to 3 million bottles annually.
Current production ranges between 1.3 and 1.5 million bottles per year, generating an estimated turnover of approximately €5.5 million, with a strong presence in the domestic market.
Wine Resort and Wine Tourism
The company has also invested significantly in hospitality by restoring historic buildings dedicated to:
• Accommodation;
• Wine tastings;
• Winery tours;
• Premium wine tourism experiences.
Tenute Delogu represents a successful example of how modern viticulture can combine production efficiency, territorial identity, hospitality, and tourism, creating an integrated business model capable of enhancing the value of Sardinian wine both in Italy and abroad.