Cantina Castiadas Italian Red
Sardinian reds from the Capo Ferrato coast, poured here for years.
The story behind Cantina Castiadas
Cantina Castiadas was founded in 1959, when the Sardinian Agrarian Reform Agency and a collective of local growers planted a cooperative in the Sarrabus, the southeastern corner of Sardinia near Cagliari and Costa Rei. The vineyards sit on coastal mountain slopes facing the Mediterranean, granitic sands and clay cooled by sea breezes, and that combination shows up in the glass as minerality and freshness.
The winery works almost entirely in indigenous grapes: Cannonau, the island's clone of Grenache, and Monica for the reds, Vermentino for the whites. Fruit is hand harvested, old vine parcels included, and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel. Cantina Castiadas also holds the rare Capo Ferrato sub denomination, restricted to this one stretch of coast.
Explore the Cantina Castiadas range
Five bottles, all Sardinian, all under twenty two dollars. Two reds, two whites and one Cannonau that carries the Capo Ferrato name.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capo Ferrato | Red, Cannonau blend | About 13.5 to 14.5% ABV | Red flowers, wild cherry, myrtle, coastal herbs |
| Rei Cannonau | Red, Cannonau di Sardegna | About 13.5 to 14.5% ABV | Vibrant ruby, cherry and Mediterranean scrub |
| Genis | Red, Monica di Sardegna | About 13 to 13.5% ABV | Bright red berries, soft tannins, vegan certified |
| Pradis Vermentino | White, Vermentino di Sardegna | About 13 to 13.5% ABV | Citrus, white flowers, saline mineral finish |
| Notteri | White, Vermentino di Sardegna | About 13 to 13.5% ABV | Tropical fruit, green apple, crisp coastal salinity |
Which Cantina Castiadas is right for you?
The pricing here is honest, which is one reason we have kept these on the shelf. Capo Ferrato and Pradis Vermentino both sit at $13.99, the Genis Monica at $16.99, Rei Cannonau at $17.99, and the Notteri Vermentino tops the group at $21.99. For Sardinian wine grown on granitic coastal slopes and hand harvested, that is a fair trade. Start with the Capo Ferrato if you want the house style, move to Rei Cannonau for more grip, and take the Notteri when you want the sea air in the glass.
Cherry and herb, low tannin, and it does not punish a Tuesday.
Saline Vermentino that stands up to oysters and grilled fish.
Monica is rare on Long Island shelves, soft and berry driven.