TO THE HEART OF WINE LOVERS
A STORY WRITTEN WITH PASSION
IDENTITY AND HERITAGE
FOR GENERATIONS
PASSION FOR WINE
AND COMMUNITY CULTURE
Vineyards at the foot of Mount Corrasi
In the heart of Sardinia, in Oliena, in 1950, a group of winemakers joined forces with a common goal: to enhance the precious Cannonau wine.
Thus was born Cantina Oliena, a project founded on passion for wine and community culture. The decision to start a cooperative was not just an entrepreneurial option, but a choice of values: that of combining ancient knowledge with innovation, while maintaining a strong bond with the territory and traditions.
Today, our winery employs winemakers from their family vineyards, continuing a centuries-old tradition that is renewed with each harvest. These custodians of the land dedicate themselves to cultivating their own plots, some passed down from generation to generation, contributing their prized grapes to the creation of our excellent wines.
Each bottle we produce tells a story of dedication and respect for teamwork, with the intent to value quality above all else, the result of an unwavering commitment to creating a product that speaks of excellence. Our winery is where tradition and technology meet. Our wines are born from ancient methods, handed down over time, and the most advanced production technologies.
Cannonau, the thousand-year-old grape variety
Deep roots in the territory
From the past to the present
Until recently, it was thought that Cannonau was introduced to Sardinia in the 15th century during the Spanish colonization. However, recent discoveries of grape seeds dating back 3,200 years at Nuragic sites have demonstrated that winemaking was already present on the island long before the Iberians. Genetic analysis has confirmed that Cannonau is a native grape variety, cultivated in Sardinia for millennia. Extremely versatile, Cannonau adapts to a variety of soil and climate conditions, finding its ideal location in the central eastern part of the island, where most of the vineyards are concentrated. The grape is distinguished by its vigor and medium-sized bunches, which, when ripe, turn black with purple hues. Harvest takes place when the grapes are perfectly ripe to best express their characteristics.
The grape variety
Cannonau is Sardinia's identity wine par excellence, a symbol that encapsulates the essence of this unique land. With its deep roots in the land, Cannonau represents the history, traditions and culture of Sardinia, a bond that is renewed from generation to generation. Each bottle tells the story of the passion of those who work the land, the commitment of winemakers who, for centuries, have cultivated an indigenous grape variety that stands the test of time and challenges. The harvest is done manually, a tradition carried on over time, but the winemaking stages are done with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Its intense flavor, characterized by notes of red fruit and spices, reflects the soul of an island, between strength and delicacy. Cannonau is not just a wine, it is the spokesman of a culture, the guardian of a heritage that speaks directly to the heart of those who taste it.
Praise for
Nepente of Oliena
Gabriele D'Annunzio and his homage to Sardinian wine.
“Non conoscete il Nepente d'Oliena neppure per fama? Ahi, lasso!” Gabriele D'Annunzio wrote this passage in a letter from 1909. During this period, D'Annunzio took a trip to Sardinia, an island that deeply fascinated him. The poet portrayed Nepente d'Oliena as a wine that embodies the purest and most mystical essence of Sardinia. Nepente d'Oliena, described by the poet with overwhelming passion, becomes a symbol of an encounter between man and nature, an "elixir" capable of intoxicating body and soul, making every sip feel like a reflection of Sardinia's wild beauty.
D’Annunzio, with his sensory and poetic language, captures the evocative power of a wine that is not just a drink, but a total experience. Nepente d’Oliena is described as a nectar capable of making one lose all sense of time, of making those who savor it fall in love with the land that generated it. It is not only its aroma that is powerful, but also the meaning it carries: a story of welcome, unspoiled nature and a cultural identity that, through this wine, is renewed every day.
From Classics to Novelties: Our Cellar
since 1950
Oliena, an emotional
journey in the heart of Sardinia
Stories of authenticity and tradition
Oliena is a corner of Sardinia that manages to touch the soul of those who visit it. Nestled in the heart of Barbagia, among imposing mountains and forests that can tell ancient stories, Oliena is a place where time seems to flow more slowly, enveloped in an atmosphere that mixes tradition and unspoiled nature. Its land is a work of art sculpted by wind and rain, where every stone seems to carry with it a centuries-old tale, and every path invites you to discover something profound.
The Oliena community still lives in symbiosis with the landscape, respecting its laws, preserving traditions, such as that of the art of wine, which in this area finds its highest expression in Nepente d’Oliena. But Oliena is not only nature and tradition: it is also the beating heart of a culture that is not afraid to look to the future, while remaining anchored to its roots.
Here, the mountains are not just a panorama, but a silent guardian of the emotions that flow from every corner of this village. The Oliena area is a promise of discovery, wild beauty and an authenticity that, in a world that runs too fast, is more precious than ever.