Hammeau Oenautourisme Domaine Saparale Hébergement

The hamlet

"

The Ortolo is an unspoilt valley with an exceptional climate. Overlooked by the Massif de Cagna, it flows into the sea just a few kilometres downstream.

The sun-drenched Domaine stretches across 1,000 hectares of maquis heathland, pastures and vines. Escape to a corner of Paradise...

"
Hameau Contours Domaine Saparale Hébergement

Life on the estate

"

Life on the estate is punctuated by wine-growing and wine-making timetables: harvesting, pruning and trellising in the vines; wine-producing, maturing, and bottling in the cellar. Each season, the vine changes its appearance and takes on new colours...

Let your feet guide you through the vines in summer to steal a few bunches of delicious grapes... or wander through the cellar in winter to enjoy the comforting warmth of a glass of wine, freshly drawn from the barrel...

But the most surprising find is undoubtedly this old police station, right in the middle of nowhere was built in the 19th century when Corsican bandits were rife.

The olive and orange groves, the granite buildings that are both stately yet practical, the police station whose presence still remains yet in a more subtle way, the collection of old vats, the new oak barrels lined up on parade, the sparkling new tanks, the impressive procession of prickly pears marching across the slope, the walls that still need some work because Rome wasn't built in a day, the steeply carved-out valley that's crying out to be explored... all this combines with the vines to create an eclectic and surprisingly harmonious backdrop.

"
Hameau Domaine Domaine Saparale Hébergement

Vineyard and history

"

The Domaine Saparale dates back to the end of the Second Empire in France. The vineyard quickly gained exemplary status as well as country-wide recognition, and with its surrounding granite houses, agricultural buildings and outbuildings, it formed a true hamlet in the middle of nowhere.

The Domaine soon became uniquely renowned due to the strong identity of the Corsican grape varieties used. Its wine was tasted in Paris, where it was awarded the Gold Medal at the 1900 Great Exhibition.

Its vineyard, cellars, small police station and craftsmen's houses meant the hamlet could be entirely self-sufficient.

However, it fell into decline during the late 30s as a result of the wars and socio-economic depressions. Having been partially abandoned for half a century during which time its buildings fell into ruin, it was taken over around 1990 by the family's eldest son, Philippe Farinelli. Concentrating firstly on renovating the cellars and working on the vines, he created an estate that was to become popular among wine enthusiasts: it was listed as a favourite in the Guide Hachette many times, featured in articles in the Revue des Vins de France, and won many top prizes.

"
Hameau Bâtiments Domaine Saparale Hébergement

Buildings

"

The heart of the Hameau is made up of the cellars and other functional buildings.
The old cellar has been completely renovated and is a place to visit... as well as the boutique, with wine tastings and very local products...

The next step will no doubt be renovating the splendid estate mansion that is truly a source of curiosity with its angled tower reminiscent of a castle and its walls decorated with frescoes.

"