If you are in Northern Sardinia, especially on the west side, Alghero is a must-go. It is one of our favourite towns, and only an hour away from our favourite beach on the island, La Pelosa.
Besides that, the area is surrounded by vineyards and wineries, where you can enjoy some of the best Italian wines and learn about their history and production.
This is our selection of the best wine tastings near Alghero.
Azienda Agricola Ledà D’Ittiri
Azienda Agricola Leda’ d’Ittiri was our favourite wine tasting in Alghero. It is the most professional and best prepared for tourists, without losing its charm as a small and independent winery.
We really learned many things, such as the influence of the temperature and the proximity of the sea to the taste of the wine. We also learned that 2017 was a very hot year, causing the grapes to have more sugar and resulting in stronger wines.
They offer two tours:
- Guided Wine and Olive oil tasting
- Sunset Tour with a visit and guided tasting of 5 wines and local products
We did the first one, and I don’t think the other one is available during Covid-19 times. It’s an hour guided tasting in their tasting room (see picture above), with a very knowledgeable sommelier who explains the history of the territory and the farm and the different Sardinian grapes and Olive trees. After about 10 minutes introduction follows the tasting of 5 wines paired with 3 different kinds of pecorino cheese and traditional sausage. The tasting ends with the extra virgin olive oil. And it costs €20 per person.
In terms of the wines, our favourite was the Ginjol, a delicious Cannonau and Merlot blend. And we were lucky to be able to buy one in 2017.
The Azienda is also a 4-star wine resort, which includes beautiful rooms, a swimming pool, and all the amenities needed in a restored peaceful country house.
Tenute Delogu
Tenute Delogu is slowly becoming a popular winery in Alghero. The airport shows various ads that include huge inflated bottles, as well as a very nice wine bar and shop in the departing area, in front of the duty-free.
Their wines are not that easy to find in bars and restaurants, but they are available in all wine shops and supermarkets.
The winery is modern and bigger than Leda’ d’Ittiri. The tasting is offered in three ways:
- Limpida. 3 wines of your choice, plus olives and cheese. €15
- Delicata. 3 wines of your choice, plus olives, cheese, and cold cuts. €20
- Elegante. 5 wines, plus all the above and artichoke croutons. €30
- Persistente. A bottle plus olives and bread.
We did the one and enjoyed it a lot. The tasting is relaxed and less formal than Leda’ d’Ittiri, with much less information as well. However; the servings are generous and you always get a top-up at the end. Moreover; if you are two or more, you can mix the wine selection so you can try them all.
Our favorite wine from them was Geo, a delicious blend of Cannonau, Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Fine and persistent, soft and excellently balanced. Die, their Vermentino, was also excellent.
It is also a wine resort, so if you are looking for agritourism this could be a great choice. You will enjoy a modern apartment kitchenette, flat-screen TV, sofa bed, and private patio. There is also an outdoor pool and BBQ facilities.
Vigneti Sella & Mosca
Sella & Mosca is the biggest and most industrialised winery in the region. As such, the experience is quite different. They have more wines available and the complex includes numerous structures open to the public, such as the historic cellars (built in 1903), the wine shop and the museum, which is divided into the company and the archaeological sections.
The pour is generous and the staff is knowledgeable, engaging, and friendly.
They offer the following range of tastings, each of them to test different products
- Identita €15
- Sella & Mosca + Marras €25
- Tra Passato e Presente €35
- Le Selezioni €45
- Vigneti e Cantine €50
Booking can be made following this form.
Poderi Parpinello
Poderi Parpinello was born from the Parpinello family’s passion for wine and has grown over three generations.
It’s another small, independent, family-run type of winery. They cultivate over 15 hectares of vines, soon to be increased to 20. Its owner and oenologist Giampaolo Parpinello implements the newest innovations with respect to tradition and the ecosystem of the geographical location.
They offer an excellent guided tour and tasting. It includes a brief description of the company, followed by a walk among the vineyards, olive groves and centenary oak groves and an explanation of their grapes and the production process. At the end is the tasting, where you can try 4 wines and our extra virgin olive oil, accompanied by local products: salami, cheese, olives and bread guttiau / carasau.
The duration is approximately 2 hours and the is €27 per person. The timetable is from 10:00 to 16:30 (starting time) and bookings are made by email.
Some of their best wines are the Sessantaquattro (Vermentino), San Constantino (Cannonau) and the Cagnulari.
Cantina Santa Maria La Palma
Santa Maria La Palma is another popular winery and bigger than the rest of the list except for Sella & Mosca. Some of their wines are very popular and can be found in most restaurants and supermarkets, such as the Vermentino Aragosta.
It all began in 1946 when the land had been reclaimed and given to the farmworkers following the post-war Agrarian Reform that was implemented in Sardinia. Later in 1959, one hundred of them decided to enter into a co-operative and to found the Cantina Santa Maria la Palma. Since that moment they have been improving and growing, and currently have 700 hectares of land on the estate with grapes.
Their production includes the Grand Crù line, featuring Cannonau Riserva, Cagnulari and Papiri; the Classica line, featuring Aragosta, Bombarde, Punta Rosa and Monica; the Semi-Sparkling (Frizzanti) line, featuring Palmì, Cantavigna and Aragosta Frizzante; the Sparkling (Spumanti) line, featuring Don Domè, Akènta and Argentero; the Passito wine (made from partially dried grapes), called Soffio di Sole; and The Prestige (our favourite, but most expensive) featuring Reconta, Redit and Rafia.
Unfortunately, the tours and tasting were stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic in September 2020. However; check their website to see when are they going to be available again.
Recommended Sardinian Wines
Vermentino is the most popular grape variety in Sardinia. It’s a white wine that can be dry and also fruity. It’s normally aromatic and tastes of peach, lemon peel and a sort of saline minerality. The minerality is acquired from the salty wind present close to the coast in Sardinia.
Some brands to try:
- Karmis – Contini (fruity/sweet)
- Die – Delogu
- Spera – Siddura
- Vign’angena Vermentino di Gallura – Capichera (pricy)
Cannonau (also known in other regions as Grenache or Garnacha) is also quite popular in Sardinia, although is very common even outside Italy, and it is actually one of the most widely planted red wine grape varieties in the world. It is a light-to-medium-bodied red that tastes like ripe berries, plum, cranberry, and white spice.
Some wineries in northwest Sardinia blend Cannonau with Merlot or other varieties, and this is because the pure Cannonau seems to be better in inland areas such as Nuoro.
Some brands to try:
- Indolente – Asinara
- Ginjol – Leda d’Lttiri
- Riviera – Vigne Rada
- Riserva – Poderi Parpinello
- Barrosu – Giovanni Montisci (pricy)
Cagnulari is considered a local variety of north-west Sardinia, and the Alghero area in particular. It was officially recognised as DOC Alghero in 1995. It’s a ruby red wine, fruity with hints of berries on the nose, and structured and complex to the palate. It also has an elegant salinity, a slight tannicity with a finish of ripe cherry and tobacco.
To try:
- Cagnulari – Delogu
- Arsenale Alghero Cangulari – Vigne Rada
- Cagnulari Isola dei Nuraghi – Cherchi
- Beranu – Galavera
Additionally, I would recommend trying Geo from Delogu, a delicious blend of Cannonau, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Last but not least, as many wineries also produce extra virgin olive oil, I recommend trying and buying San Giuliano Cuor d’Olivo Fruttato, which won a Gold Award at the 2020 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, and therefore it is considered one of the best in the World.
It is cold-pressed with granite millstones, and the taste is spicy with hints of artichoke and has a medium-intense aroma with grassy tones.
More Pictures
Additional travel tips and recommendations
- This time we stayed in a private flat. However; we can recommend Poseidon B&B where we stayed the last time. It is well-located, clean and tidy. The rooms are spacious, the staff (thanks Severine!) is friendly and knowledgeable, and the breakfast is tasty.
- If you are looking for a bigger hotel with a swimming pool and facilities, I recommend Alma di Alghero, right in from of the town’s beach.
- Regarding food and wine, visit our post “Best Restaurants and Wine Bars in Alghero“.
- To discover more about Sardinia, visit our posts: