Argiolas
How to pronounce
Sardinia's foremost wine estate, pioneering modern island winemaking since 1938 with native grapes and a legacy spanning four generations.
Argiolas is widely regarded as the foremost wine estate on Sardinia, founded in 1938 by Antonio Argiolas in Serdiana. The estate spans 600 acres across five distinct properties in the Trexenta and Sulcis regions, producing approximately 2.2 million bottles annually from exclusively Sardinian native grape varieties.
- Founded in 1938 by Antonio Argiolas, who inherited just seven acres from his father
- Produces approximately 2.2 million bottles annually across five distinct estates
- Flagship wine Turriga was first bottled in 1991, created with input from legendary enologist Giacomo Tachis
- Vineyards span 600 acres at 250-350 metres elevation in part-calcareous, part-clay soils
- Prestige wines are classified under IGT Isola dei Nuraghi and aged in French barriques
- Maintains an Experimental Vineyard for Biodiversity to preserve native Sardinian varieties
- Antonio Argiolas died in 2009 at age 102; the estate is now run by the third generation
History and founding
Antonio Argiolas founded the estate in 1938 after inheriting seven acres from his father. He became the first producer on the island to convert to modern viticulture, prioritising quality over quantity at a time when bulk production was the norm. In the 1980s, his sons Franco and Giuseppe replanted the vineyards, reducing yields and committing exclusively to native Sardinian grape varieties. Antonio Argiolas lived to age 102, passing away in 2009, and the estate is now managed by the third generation, including grandchildren Valentina, Francesca, and Antonio.
- Founded 1938 from a seven-acre inheritance in Serdiana
- First producer on Sardinia to pursue modern, quality-focused viticulture
- Vineyard replanting in the 1980s reduced yields and focused on native varieties
- Now managed by the third generation of the Argiolas family
Vineyards and terroir
The estate spans approximately 600 acres divided across five distinct properties in two of Sardinia's key wine regions: Trexenta and Sulcis. Trexenta vineyards sit at elevations of 250 to 350 metres above sea level on part-calcareous, part-clay soils. The climate throughout is Mediterranean with a strong marine influence, characterised by sun, wind, and salty coastal air. This environment shapes the intense, expressive character found across the Argiolas range.
- Five distinct estates in Trexenta and Sulcis
- Trexenta vineyards at 250-350 metres elevation
- Part-calcareous, part-clay soils
- Mediterranean climate with marine influence, sun, and wind
Grapes and wine styles
Argiolas works exclusively with native Sardinian grape varieties across its entire portfolio. Red wines are built on Cannonau, Carignano, Bovale Sardo, Monica, and Malvasia Nera, while whites draw on Vermentino, Nuragus, and Nasco. The range spans fresh, elegant everyday wines bottled under DOC designations including Vermentino di Sardegna, Cannonau di Sardegna, Monica di Sardegna, and Carignano del Sulcis. Prestige wines, including the flagship Turriga and Korem, are classified as IGT Isola dei Nuraghi and aged in French barriques for greater structure and complexity.
- Native varieties only: Cannonau, Vermentino, Carignano, Bovale Sardo, Monica, Nuragus, Malvasia Nera, Nasco
- Classic range under DOC designations; prestige range under IGT Isola dei Nuraghi
- Turriga (first bottled 1991) and Korem are the flagship prestige wines
- Prestige wines aged in French barriques
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Look it up →Winemaking and innovation
Argiolas combines cutting-edge cellar technology with traditional winemaking methods. The legendary Tuscan enologist Giacomo Tachis collaborated with the estate to develop its prestige wine line, including Turriga. The estate is a pioneer in sustainability through integrated agriculture practices and maintains an Experimental Vineyard for Biodiversity dedicated to preserving rare native Sardinian varieties. Chief winemaker Mariano Murru has guided production across the modern era of the estate's development.
- Giacomo Tachis contributed to the creation of the prestige wine line
- Mariano Murru serves as estate enologist
- Experimental Vineyard for Biodiversity preserves rare native varieties
- Pioneer in sustainability and integrated agricultural practices
Reds from Cannonau show ripe red fruit, dried herbs, and earthy warmth with firm tannins. Carignano del Sulcis-based wines offer dark fruit, spice, and coastal salinity. Prestige reds like Turriga are structured, concentrated, and oak-integrated with aging potential. Vermentino-based whites deliver crisp citrus, white blossom, and a saline, mineral finish typical of Sardinian coastal viticulture.
- Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna$14-18Entry-level Vermentino from Sardinia's premier estate; fresh, citrusy, and saline with reliable consistency.Find →
- Argiolas Perdera Monica di Sardegna$15-19Approachable red from native Monica grape; red fruit, soft tannins, and authentic Sardinian character.Find →
- Argiolas Costera Cannonau di Sardegna$20-25Classic Cannonau showing ripe cherry, dried herbs, and earthy warmth typical of the variety.Find →
- Argiolas Korem IGT Isola dei Nuraghi$50-60Prestige red blending Bovale Sardo and Carignano; structured, barrique-aged, and built for cellaring.Find →
- Argiolas Turriga IGT Isola dei Nuraghi$80-100Flagship wine first bottled 1991; Cannonau-based, Tachis-crafted, concentrated and age-worthy.Find →
- Founded 1938; Antonio Argiolas was the first Sardinian producer to modernise viticulture with a quality focus
- Estate spans 600 acres across five properties in Trexenta and Sulcis; soils are part-calcareous, part-clay
- Classic wines classified under DOC (Cannonau di Sardegna, Vermentino di Sardegna, Monica di Sardegna, Carignano del Sulcis); prestige wines under IGT Isola dei Nuraghi
- Turriga, the flagship wine, was first bottled in 1991 and developed with enologist Giacomo Tachis
- Estate works exclusively with native Sardinian varieties including Cannonau, Vermentino, Carignano, Bovale Sardo, Nuragus, and Nasco