Leccia

History of Domaine Leccia

The history of Domaine Leccia has been written for over a century on the heights of Poggio d'Oletta, at the heart of the Patrimonio appellation in Haute-Corse. The family has been devoted to the vine since the early twentieth century, but it was from the 1950s onward that Pierre-Joseph Leccia truly structured the property and initiated vinification and on-site bottling. The estate then entered an era of recognition, first on the island, then on the mainland.

In the late 1980s, Pierre-Joseph's children, Annette and Yves, took over and upheld the distinguished reputation of this benchmark estate. In 2005, Yves left the property to found his own house, and Annette Leccia took sole control of the family estate, converting it to organic farming from 2007 onwards. Today, it is her nephew Lisandru Leccia — trained in oenology in Dijon and enriched by experiences in Burgundy and the United States — who carries on this saga. Having returned to the island in 2013, he has steered the estate towards biodynamic certification, with the ambition of continually refining the typicity of its wines.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Leccia

The vineyard of Domaine Leccia unfolds across a grandiose and unspoiled landscape, between sea and mountain, beneath the sun of Patrimonio. The vines occupy both the flanks of impressive limestone spurs and the hollows of small, greener valleys, a few kilometres from the Gulf of Saint-Florent. It is precisely these beautiful limestone and clay-limestone soils, bathed in a temperate Mediterranean climate, that give the estate's wines their signature: a vibrant salinity, great freshness, and a subtly spiced minerality.

The estate relies on the two emblematic grape varieties of the appellation: Niellucciu, the king of Patrimonio (a cousin of the Italian Sangiovese), which makes up the reds and rosés, and Vermentinu, which yields aromatic and sharp whites. One parcel is also dedicated to Muscat à Petits Grains for the Muscat du Cap Corse. Organic and biodynamic farming, attentive to lunar cycles and soil life, accompanies controlled yields in order to concentrate quality and reveal the authenticity of each cuvée.

Vinifications of Domaine Leccia

In the cellar, the work prioritises precision and respect for the fruit. Manual harvesting is followed by rigorous sorting, then meticulous vinification conducted by Lisandru Leccia. The rosés are obtained essentially by direct pressing of Niellucciu, complemented by a portion of saignée, to preserve their finesse and saline tension. The Vermentinu whites are vinified with care in order to retain their aromatic brilliance and straightforwardness.

The great singularity of the estate lies in the aging of its reds: they are aged without recourse to wood, allowing the purity of Niellucciu and the mineral framework of the terroir to express themselves fully. The result is intense, juicy, and straight wines endowed with a natural freshness and a fine ageing potential. This approach, faithful to the place, yields precise and living wines that are among the most accomplished in the Patrimonio appellation.

The cuvées of Domaine Leccia

Patrimonio Blanc (Vermentinu): a true reference for the variety in Corsica. Aromatic, sharp, and pleasingly saline, this white wins over with its straightforwardness, its freshness, and its fine substance. It pairs ideally with fish, seafood, and Mediterranean cuisine, and can benefit from a few years of cellaring.

Patrimonio Rosé (Niellucciu): derived primarily from direct pressing, this rosé displays a delicate salmon hue. Fresh and fruity, poised between red fruits and citrus, it stands out for its pronounced salinity and great vivacity. A gastronomic rosé counted among the finest in France.

Patrimonio Rouge (Niellucciu): an ode to the reigning variety of Patrimonio, aged without wood to preserve the purity of the fruit. The nose mingles red fruits, cocoa, and leather; the palate is supple and generous, with melted tannins and a long, elegant finish. An intense and juicy red, deeply rooted in its terroir.

Pettale (Patrimonio Rouge, prestige cuvée): the estate's great age-worthy cuvée, sourced from the finest Niellucciu parcels. Dense, refined, and profound, it is regularly compared to a great Brunello di Montalcino for its structure and nobility. A wine that can already be enjoyed but that will reward many years of patience in the cellar.

Muscat du Cap Corse (Muscat à Petits Grains): a naturally sweet wine of great finesse, with a golden robe. Expressive without ever being exuberant, it unfolds a generous bouquet of mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and citron, lifted by lively notes of grapefruit and mint. Perfect as an aperitif as well as with foie gras or a fruity dessert.