The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Calabria

DOCStill huntingNear impossible

Sant'Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto DOC

A tiny DOC on a windy headland facing the Ionian Sea, with only a handful of hectares in production. The red is a pale, warm Gaglioppo-led blend with dried cherry, sun-baked herbs and a soft, slightly rustic tannin; the rosato is the more convincing wine, salmon-colored and savory. For years the appellation was effectively dormant and it remains one of the least-seen names in Italy. Marrelli is essentially the only estate bottling it.

Still hunting

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If you make Sant'Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Marrelli Wines
Sant'Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto Rosso
The one producer keeping the DOC alive, a resort-and-farm estate on the cape; light, warm, herbal Gaglioppo blend.
$12 to $18Wine-Searcher
Marrelli Wines
Sant'Anna di Isola Capo Rizzuto Rosato
Savory, salmon-pink rosato with wild strawberry and thyme; the better of the two if you can find either.
$12 to $18Wine-Searcher