Cagliari: Wine tasting & Winery visit in Countryside Hills

Just 18 kilometers from the vibrant heart of Cagliari, nestled among the rolling hills that cascade toward the sea, lies a hidden gem of Sardinia’s wine country. Reachable in just 30 minutes by car or around an hour by bike, this estate is more than a vineyard — it's a living memory of the island’s heritage, an oasis where ancient traditions and natural beauty merge in harmony.

Located in the rural area of Baccalamanza, this immersive wine experience takes place on land once revered as “su Spantu,” meaning “awe” in Sardinian — and rightly so. Surrounded by protected mountains, Mediterranean scrub, and sweeping views that reach the coastline, the setting alone is worth the visit. But what makes this place truly extraordinary is its story.

Begin your journey with a guided tour of the estate’s modern yet soulfully rustic cellar. Accompanied by a knowledgeable enologist, you’ll explore the philosophy of organic winemaking — a conscious return to methods that respect nature and enhance the identity of each grape. The production area combines cutting-edge practices with ancient wisdom, such as concrete fermentation tanks and minimal intervention, producing wines that express purity, minerality, and unmistakable terroir.

Then, step outside and walk through vineyards that stretch across 21 hectares of coastal hillsides. Gently caressed by marine breezes and bathed in Mediterranean sunlight, the vines grow in a mosaic of sandy and clay soils enriched by granitic particles from the surrounding Capoterra mountains. This terroir — unique even within Sardinia — gives the wines their freshness, structure, and aromatic complexity.

The tasting itself is a celebration of Sardinia’s viticultural soul. You’ll savor three curated wines, each one a distinct expression of the territory:

• Cardile Vermentino di Sardegna DOC (Organic) – Fresh, bright, and elegant. This white wine captures the essence of Sardinia’s coastline with mineral backbone and citrus-laced aromas, finishing long and savory. It’s a brilliant introduction to the island’s most iconic white varietal.
• Spantu Rosato di Carignano IGT – This rosé is an homage to the estate’s visionary founder and a celebration of Carignano, a noble varietal believed to have been brought by the Spanish centuries ago. Its pale color hides a bold character: crisp, floral, and with a subtle wild berry note that speaks of sun-drenched hillsides.
• Scillaras Cannonau di Sardegna DOC – Awarded a prestigious double gold medal at Grenache du Monde in Paris, this wine is a rich, layered tribute to the island’s most celebrated red. With notes of ripe red fruits, warm spices, and wild herbs, it’s full-bodied yet balanced, smooth yet vibrant — a wine that truly tells a story.

Each glass is served alongside a traditional tagliere of local delicacies: cured meats, cheeses, and a drizzle of the estate’s own organic olive oil, made from native Bosana olives grown just steps from the vineyard. These pairings elevate the tasting from a simple sampling to a true sensorial journey through Sardinian flavors.

But what makes this experience unforgettable is not just what you taste — it’s what you feel. With every sip, every breeze, every panoramic view, you’ll be immersed in a landscape shaped by thousands of years of culture. Just a short walk away, the Nuraghe Anthigori, a Bronze Age monument, reminds visitors of Sardinia’s ancient connection to wine. Archaeological discoveries here even include Mycenaean ceramics with vinification residues — evidence of some of the Mediterranean’s earliest wine trade.

This tasting experience is ideal for wine lovers seeking authenticity, nature, and intimacy just outside the city. Whether you’re staying in Cagliari or exploring southern Sardinia, it’s a perfect escape — easy to reach, impossible to forget.