SARAJA

Saraja is a highly regarded contemporary winery, perched on the island’s famous Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) in the Gallura region of northern Sardinia, Italy. It was established as a collaborative project by five wine professionals, led by Mark Hartmann and renowned Italian consultant winemaker Federico Curtaz. The winery specializes in native Sardinian grape varieties and spans 75 hectares, of which 49 are dedicated to vineyards. These vineyards are situated at elevations ranging from 300 to over 500 meters above sea level, under the watchful gaze of Mount Limbara. The vineyards contend with challenging, rocky granite soils and intense Mediterranean Sea winds. The name “Saraja” translates to “furrow” or “sign” in the local Sardinian dialect, symbolizing the lasting impression the winery aims to make on the territory.

Saraja focuses on core principles of origin, low intervention, and environmental stewardship, believing that wine should reflect its land. They produce single-varietal wines that showcase the unique granite soils, high elevation, and marine salinity.

Saraja follows strict integrated agriculture practices based on organic principles, prioritizing the health of the vineyard, including:

• Avoiding chemical herbicides and insecticides.
• Limiting field treatments to four per year with eco-friendly materials.
• Using natural compost and ponds for irrigation.
• Sourcing cork oak from their vineyard for bottle corks.

In winemaking, they emphasize low intervention, minimizing filtration, clarification, and sulfur additions, while using temperature-controlled stainless-steel aging to enhance texture. They also prioritize “Silence and Time,” protecting aging wines from noise and light to encourage slow, natural maturation.

Saraja offers the intrigue of an island wine culture, featuring native grape varieties with the food-friendly versatility that sommeliers crave, and a distinctive flavor profile that sets them apart from mainland Italian offerings.

Tarra Noa Vermentino Di Gallura