The Producer

Sassara is an exciting natural wine producer based in the Veneto region of Italy, located in the morainic hills just south of Lake Garda and near the Bardolino DOC. The winery is the passion project of Alessia and Stefano Bertaiola; Stefano is a third-generation winemaker whose family has worked the land for over 50 years, while Alessia brings her strong background in agricultural research. Since taking over the 10-hectare site in 2007, the duo has fully converted the vineyards to certified organic and biodynamic farming, driven by a commitment to the authentic expression of their unique terroir. This soil, rich in diverse mineral deposits left by ancient glacial activity, informs their philosophy: to produce pure, energetic, and mineral-driven wines that stand as an authentic alternative to the highly extracted, conventional styles often associated with the Veneto.

Sassara champions the indigenous grape varieties of the region, utilizing both traditional red grapes like Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara, and white grapes such as Garganega, Trebbiano, and Tocai. Their winemaking is characterized by minimal intervention: spontaneous fermentation, no temperature control, and often no fining, filtering, or added sulfur, resulting in wines that are bright, juicy, and expressive. Key offerings include the unique, co-fermented red-and-white field blend 'Esotico,' the amphora-aged orange wine 'Vin de Anfoa,' and their lively Bardolino DOC 'Goto.' Sassara is recognized as a soulful producer that is redefining the perception of this classic region by looking to its past, creating wines full of "bright, juicy, joyous fruit and minerality."