Agricola Punica

Three friends and the wine - Agricola Punica

Agricola Punica is the brainchild of Giacomo Tachis, Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta and Antonello Pilloni. Giacomo came to Sicily in the 80's on behalf of Cantina di Santandi and its president Pilloni to look for new vineyards in the Sulcis area.

After many years of successful work, he decided at the beginning of the millennium to dare a new adventure and searched for it on the island. The Marchese, a dazzling personality of the Italian wine world, came to his aid. In the end, Giacomo brought his old friend Antonello on board, and so the three of them founded AgriPunica, or Agricola Punica for long.

Giacomo Tachis has meanwhile retired due to health reasons, the Marchese is still active as honorary chairman. Today, the estate is managed by Antonello Pilloni.

Where the stone towers stand

The vineyards of AgriPunica are located in the southwest of Sardinia, in the so-called Basso Sulcis. 70 hectares of vineyards belong to the estate, which are located in the appellation Isola dei Nuraghi IGT . The name comes from the stone towers that were built in the 3rd century by the Nuraghic civilization as defensive structures against the expanding Romans. Viticulture itself probably dates back to the Phoenicians.

The area is best suited for red grape varieties. Plenty of sun allows the grapes to ripen nicely, while the wind from the sea regulates excess heat. In the vineyards grows the autochthonous Sulcis grape, which is the basis for the two red wines of Agricola Punica. The wines are named after the two vineyards of the estate, Barrua and Montesso.

Whereas in the past the local vines were so "bent" due to strict geographical protection regulations that they only delivered inferior quality, today the Sardinian wines are of a very high quality thanks to careful care.

Vinfication on the estate of Agricola Punica

The grapes of AgriPunica are harvested in several passes according to their degree of ripeness. After pressing, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel under the watchful eye of the cellar master.

French barriques made of high quality wood are used for ageing and finishing. The basis for the selection of the barrels was once laid by Giacomo Tachis, whose instructions are still followed in the estate today.