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In the 1980s, four brothers—Armando, Tiziano, Paolo, and Massimo Castagnedi—began making their first moves toward opening their own winery. They had inherited 50 acres of vineyards in the eastern section of Valpolicella from their father, and in 1989 they purchased 75 more acres in the same general area, releasing their first vintage under the Tenuta Sant'Antonio label in 1995. Their goal was always to produce high-quality, traditional wines of the region, but in 2006 they began a new project under the label Scaia to further explore the potential of the traditional varieties they were growing.
In naming this new brand Scaia, they referenced the type of soil they had in their vineyards—a chalky, granular soil that broke apart easily. Scaia is a word in Veronese dialect for crumbs, like little pieces of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese that fall off a large block, which the soil resembles. Scaia soil imparts a higher acidity and bolder cherry fruit character to the wines.
The Scaia brand was originally intended only as a temporary outlet for young vines that needed more time to reach maturity, but the line was popular and served a purpose of its own. So, even as the reputation of Tenuta Sant'Antonio continued to grow and the recognition of their Valpolicella wines continued to increase, the Castagnedi brothers continued to make Scaia as a less expensive, everyday option. It also became an avenue for innovation, where they could experiment with new interpretations of the great traditions of Valpolicella and Veneto—for example, atypical blends of traditional grape varieties, or varietal wines from grapes that are usually blended. The resulting wines—white, red, and rosato—are strongly rooted in the region’s winemaking traditions, but with a fresh twist and at an affordable price.
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LOCATIONWINERY: Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Lavagno (Verona province), Veneto VINEYARD: Estate and contracted vineyards in the Valpolicella and Veneto regions VIEW IN GOOGLE MAPS REGION DETAILS |
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92
OCTOBER 2021
Scaia “Paradiso” Veneto IGT 2018
 Super-clean berry and currant aromas, turning to nutty, cherry-cream chocolate flavors on the palate that are both mouth-filling and enticing. Medium-to full-bodied with integrated tannins and a flavorful finish. Delicious. Drink or hold. 90
DECEMBER 2021
Scaia Corvina Veneto IGT 2018
 The Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2018 Corvina Scaia is a wine I adore, and how could I not, considering this super affordable price tag. Entirely made in stainless steel, the Corvina in this expression has been shaped to produce easy elegance and a streamlined style, and it does all this effortlessly. Cherry and raspberry confit segue to light spice and tarry smoke delivered in faint but well-placed doses. The wine is polished and contoured, opening it up to an easy pairing with your favorite home-cooked foods. 90
MAY 2023
Scaia Rondinella Rosato Veneto IGT 2022
A pale, tight and nervy rosé with aromas and flavors of apricot skin and orange peel. Medium-bodied with super-clean, crisp flavor. Nicely done. Drink now. Glass stopper. 91
AUGUST 2023
Scaia “Paradiso” Veneto IGT 2020
Inviting nose of almost candied red cherries, berries and a hint of cherry-liqueur chocolate. Full and intense, the cocoa-like note coats the very fine tannins and seems to stain the fruit more and more as the palate progresses. Pleasant, lightly abrasive, almost dusty feel at the end. Interesting red to drink now. Glass stopper. 91
AUGUST 2023
Scaia “Torre Melotti” IGT Veneto Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
90
MAY 2023
Scaia Garganega-Chardonnay Trevenezie IGT 2022
Appley fruit, tinged with notes of pressed white flowers and a hint of something like oyster shell. Medium-bodied with a tight core of flavor and a persistent fruit and saline mineral finish. Very compact white. Drink now. 90
AUGUST 2022
Scaia Garganega-Chardonnay Trevenezie IGT 2021
Fennel, lemon zest, Japanese yuzu and bitter almond on the nose, following through to a medium-bodied palate with fresh, high-pitched acidity that leaves your palate watering. Vivid yuzu skins in the finish. Delicious and crisp. Drink now. Glass stopper. 91
DECEMBER 2021
Scaia “Torre Melotti” IGT Veneto Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
It's great to see that Tenuta Sant'Antonio has expanded its fantastic line of Scaia entry-level wines (all closed with a handy glass cork). These are absolutely some of the best value deals you'll get from the Veneto in northern Italy. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Scaia Torre Mellotti shows ripe fruit with barbecue spice, mahogany smoke, bacon fat, sweet blackberry confit and exotic spice. Honestly, it's almost impossible to imagine Cabernet Sauvignon reaching these levels of intensity at this price point. The hot 2017 vintage plays a big role in defining this wine. |
