Clos de Sarcone

History of Clos de Sarcone

The story of Clos de Sarcone takes root in the late 1980s, when Jean Ferracci took over the family estate once tended by his grandfather, Gjuvann', a vigneron di i tempi — a winemaker of the old school. Deeply attached to this land in the south of Corsica and to the values passed down by his forebears, Jean turned resolutely to the vine, a crop that requires no irrigation and that, as he says, knows how to reward the winemaker with great satisfaction. Nestled inland, sheltered by the bell tower of Tarabucetta, the vineyard bears the vestiges of the first vines planted since time immemorial.

The first harvests took place in 1993 and the first bottlings in 1997. For a debut, it was a masterstroke: the estate's red wine was awarded a Gold Medal at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris at its very first presentation. Since then, this small cru has built a reputation that extends well beyond the island's borders, winning over sommeliers and connoisseurs alike with its authenticity. The climate is so harsh that the vine seems to grow by the sheer force of the winemaker's will, yielding bottles of extreme finesse and rare personality.

Terroirs and Vines of Clos de Sarcone

The estate covers approximately 5 hectares divided into two iconic plots, l'Arghjale and Sarcone, which give the clos its name. Remarkably south-east facing, its slopes and semi-slopes rest on predominantly granitic soils, formed from the decomposition of granite — dry and poor, ideal for producing precisely crafted wines. The co-planting, carried out perpendicularly to the slope, limits erosion and allows the prevailing winds to circulate freely. These drying sea breezes play a precious role: they quickly dry the berries after rainfall and naturally preserve the harvest, reducing the need for treatments.

True to island tradition, Jean Ferracci trains his vines as free-standing gobelet bushes, unsupported by trellising, following an ancestral practice perfectly suited to the drought and wind. The grape varieties pay tribute to Corsica's indigenous cépage heritage: Vermentinu (Vermentino) for the whites, Niellucciu (Nielluccio) and Sciaccarellu (Sciaccarello) for the reds. Work in the vineyard remains artisanal, with ploughing and weeding carried out between the rows. Without being certified organic, the estate limits itself to two or three treatments per year depending on fungal pressure, guided by a philosophy of respect for the living and the purest possible expression of terroir.

Winemaking at Clos de Sarcone

The house philosophy can be summed up in a single formula: one white, one red per vintage, and nothing more. Yields are deliberately very low — barely twenty hectolitres per hectare — resulting in a confidential production that peaks at around 13,000 bottles in good years. This rigour in the vineyard, combined with grapes harvested at full ripeness, guarantees remarkable concentration and depth.

Winemaking remains traditional and meticulous, carried out with the help of talented neighbouring winemakers from the Figari region. The wines are then patiently aged for approximately one year, in vats or in barrels depending on the cuvée and the vintage, before bottling. This restrained ageing preserves the brilliance of the fruit and refines the tannins, shaping wines of great integrity that gain in complexity after a few years of cellaring. The result combines Mediterranean freshness, granitic minerality and that island finesse that is the signature of Clos de Sarcone.

The Cuvées of Clos de Sarcone

Clos de Sarcone Rouge (Corse-Figari): the estate's historic cuvée, this red blends Niellucciu — often the dominant variety — with Sciaccarellu, which lends its aromatic finesse. Its intense and deep robe heralds an expressive nose of cherry, dark fruits, spices and garrigue, lifted by peppery notes. The palate, radiant and fleshy, combines the controlled power of Niellucciu with tannins that are present yet velvety, forming an elegant and perfectly structured whole. Awarded a Gold Medal at its very first presentation at the Concours Général Agricole, this characterful Figari pairs wonderfully with Corsican specialities, meat in sauce and game. A terroir wine built for a fine cellar.

Clos de Sarcone Blanc (Corse-Figari): produced from Vermentinu, this rare white embodies the freshness and light of southern Corsica. The golden yellow robe with bright reflections gives way to a frank and complex nose blending citrus, lemon, white flowers and exotic fruits, punctuated by a finely woody and vanilla touch. On the palate, it seduces with its vivacity, substance and beautiful balance, with a saline and persistent finish. Endowed with genuine ageing potential, it reveals an unexpected depth after a few years that has already impressed the most discerning tasters. An ideal companion for fish, seafood and island charcuterie such as lonzu.