Argiolas

Brand Description

Argiolas is the foremost wine estate on the island of Sardinia producing archetypal wines from native varietals. Antonio Argiolas, who died in 2009 at the age of 102, inherited seven acres of vines from his father in 1938 and was the first on the island to convert to modern viticulture to pursue quality over quantity. His sons, Franco and Giuseppe, replanted the vineyards in the 1980s with the goal of reducing yields and focusing exclusively on Sardinian grapes. Joined by enologist Mariano Murru, the Argiolas family is today recognized as Sardinia’s leading wine producer.

Location of Vineyard

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies roughly 190 miles west of Italy's mainland. The kingdom of Aragón ruled Sardinia for 400 years and many of its vines came from Spain, including Bovale Sardo, Carignano, and Cannonau. The island can be divided into three principal viticultural areas: the north, influenced by the marine influence of the Costa Smeralda which specializes in Vermentino; the southwest, where Carignano is at its best; and the Trexenta hills north of the capital of Cagliari featuring Nuragus, Monica, and Cannonau. The vineyards of Argiolas are located in the areas of Trexenta and Sulcis where the family controls 600 acres planted to native Sardinian grapes.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

The Argiolas family has worked diligently to become the leader in Sardinian enology and insists on using native Sardinian vines. The winery produces both a classic and prestige line of wines. The classic wines are fresh in style and bottled under various DOCs, including Vermentino di Sardegna and Cannonau di Sardegna. The late Giacomo Tachis believed southern Sardinia possessed the “true soul of the island,” and helped create the prestige offerings of Argiolas, bottled under the Isola del Nuraghi IGT and aged in French barriques. These include Korem, based on Bovale Sardo, and the benchmark Cannonau blend Turriga.

Antonio Argiolas
Argiolas Vineyard
Antonio, Francesca and Valentina Argiolas
Is Solinas
Autumn Vine
Argiolas Winery

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Winery Profile
Owner: Franco and Giuseppe Argiolas
Winemaker: Mariano Murru
Total acreage under vine: 600
Founded: 1938
Production: 2200000
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Acclaim
“A big, rich wine that still shows lots of wood. It’s full-bodied and intense with some heat, but it’s holding on.” — acclaim for 2000 Argiolas Turriga from James Suckling, Sep 2024
“A crunchy and delicious vermentino with sliced lemons, honey and green pears. It’s medium-bodied, minerally and grapy at the end, but remains subtle and al dente.” — acclaim for 2023 Argiolas Costamolino from James Suckling, Sep 2024
“A youthful character with ripe raspberry and white pepper notes. Medium-bodied with refreshing acidity, firm chalky tannins and a dry yet balanced finish showing richness.” — acclaim for 2020 Argiolas Senes Riserva from James Suckling, Sep 2024
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