Cantine Sant’Agata

Cantine Sant’Agata was founded in the 1960s when Franco Cavallero's parents chose to remain in the countryside, recognising the potential of their land. Initially, they produced wine for local consumption. In 1982, tthey made a significant decision to replace a hectare of Barbera vines with Ruché, marking the beginning of their dedication to this unique grape. By the 1990s, Franco and his brother Claudio took over the winery, naming it after a votive pillar of Sant’Agata placed in front of their home. They aspired to elevate their wines to a global audience, with Ruché becoming their signature variety.

Since then, the estate has been instrumental in enhancing the profile of Ruché. In 2021, they released the first-ever Riserva, a Ruché aged for at least 24 months, including 12 months in wooden barrels. The winery's flagship wine, Ruché 'Genesi', is produced only in exceptional vintages. The grapes are dried for about three weeks before being aged for approximately three years in various barrel sizes, followed by six months in egg-shaped stainless steel tanks. The finished wines are clean, spicy and primary with robust structure and high acids, they pair well with food and should be of interest to all drinkers intrigued by Italian autochtone varieties, especially those of Monferrato, where Cantine Sant’Agata is among the best producers.