Request a Quote

Sartarelli Winery Guide

Winery Overview

The small Marche winery of Sartarelli hit the world scene in 1994 when it launched the late-harvest Verdicchio wine of Contrada Balciana. Much to the surprise of many wine connoisseurs, this small, low-tech winery produced a flavorful and balanced wine of surprising depth and complexity. A true reflection of its terroir, the now-iconic wine was made with artisanal methods like low yields and long hang times, allowing the fruit to achieve extraordinary flavor. The unique style of Balciana is now Sartarelli’s trademark and has inspired a legion of would-be imitators.

Sartarelli, located in the village of Poggio San Marcello in the gorgeous March region, was founded in 1972 but actively pursued high-quality winemaking years later. The firm’s main objective is to extract the best of the native Verdicchio grape. To that aim, Sartarelli has been perfecting the variety, using clones from its vineyards to achieve a truly unique taste. The company has grown considerably since the mid-1990s. It now has three excellent Verdicchio wines: the original Contrada Balciana, Verdicchio Tralivio (made in a similar but lighter style than Balciana), and Verdicchio Classico (a direct and usually flawless presentation of Verdicchio’s character).

The vineyards are planted on steep terraces at 300 to 350 meters above sea level. Care of the vineyards is important at Sartarelli, and each step of the growing and harvesting processes is carefully monitored. The grass is left to grow between rows of vines to keep soil nutrients intact, and vine yields are kept very low to ensure high-quality grapes.

Umbria Wine Tour

Umbria Wine Tour

Unveil the hidden treasures of Umbria and Le Marche on a luxurious wine tour. Indulge in boutique wine estates, charming towns, and exquisite cuisine. Book now!

View Umbria tour

Further Reading

Author

Avatar photo

Genevieve Mc Carthy

Genevieve, originally from San Diego, California, has spent the last 25 years living in Europe, primarily in Spain, Ireland, and Italy. She has a background in the wine industry, having worked for a top wine importer in Ireland and a prestigious winery in Italy's Franciacorta region. In 2003, Genevieve founded Cellar Tours, a boutique wine tours company based in Madrid, Spain. She holds wine education credentials from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in London and has a strong network within the European wine industry. Genevieve's specializes in organizing VIP tours to exclusive wineries that are not accessible to the general public. With a passion for food and wine, fluency in multiple languages, and expertise in luxury travel and tourism, Genevieve has built a successful career in creating unique wine experiences.

Read more

Private wine travel experts, recommended by leading travel publications

  • National Geographic
  • Condé Nast Traveler
  • Travel + Leisure
  • Frommer's
  • Forbes Travel Guide