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ABOUT THE WINERY

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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WINERY LOCATION: Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Lavagno (Verona province), Veneto
REGION: IGT Veneto, IGT Tre Venezie
FARMING PRACTICES: Sustainable
GRAPE VARIETIES: Corvina, Rondinella, and Garganega; smaller amounts of international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
WINE STYLES: Dry red; dry rosato; dry white
TOTAL WINE PRODUCTION: 540,000 bottles (405,000 liters)
YEAR FOUNDED: 2010
OWNER(S): Armando, Tiziano, Paolo, and Massimo Castagnedi
WINEMAKER(S): Paolo Castagnedi

WINES

SCAIA BIANCO TREVENEZIE IGT

The Scaia project was launched by Tenuta Sant’Antonio in 2006 with the aim of creating wines with a modern style outside the restrictions of the denomination system. The Scaia Bianco is a blend of 55% Garganega, the grape variety used to make Soave, and 45% Chardonnay. The vineyards are located near the Soave area. The Scaia Bianco is a fresh, lively white wine with a crisp, clean finish great for young consumers or for those who want wines of lighter body. All the Scaia wines have vino-lock glass closures.

SCAIA ROSATO VENETO IGT

The Scaia project was launched by Tenuta Sant’Antonio in 2006 with the aim of creating wines with a modern style outside the restrictions of the denomination system. The Scaia Rosato is a pink-hued wine made from Rondinella, a traditional Valpolicella grape variety that is not often seen on its own. This rosé is very fresh and floral and delightfully refreshing. 

SCAIA ROSSO VENETO IGT

The Scaia project was launched by Tenuta Sant’Antonio in 2006 with the aim of creating wines with a modern style outside the restrictions of the denomination system. This wine could be labeled as a Valpolicella DOC except that it uses 100% Corvina without the addition of Rondinella as is required for a Valpolicella. The Scaia Rosso is fresh and with forward fruit, perfect for young consumers or for those looking for lighter-bodied wines. All Scaia wines use vino-lock glass closures.

SCAIA “PARADISO” VENETO IGT

The Scaia project was launched by Tenuta Sant’Antonio in 2006 with the aim of creating wines with a modern style outside the restrictions of the denomination system. Paradiso is the winery’s “super Venetian” wine, made in the general style of an Amarone but with less Corvina than is typically in the blend and less drying of the grapes. It is a concentrated wine, with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon giving it density and opulence, yet having a fruity and rounded finish.

SCAIA “TORRE MELOTTI” IGT VENETO CABERNET SAUVIGNON

The Scaia project was launched by Tenuta Sant’Antonio in 2006 with the aim of creating wines with a modern style outside the restrictions of the denomination system. For Torre Melotti, the winemaker applies the appassimento technique traditionally used with Corvina grapes in the Valpolicella area to a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine. The result is a well-structured wine with a flavor profile that is both familiar and remarkably different for most red wine drinkers. The wine is named after a house in the vineyard. The house, owned by a Signor Mellotti, has a tower (torre) that was used as a watchtower during World War I.

LOCATION


WINERY:
Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Lavagno (Verona province), Veneto

VINEYARD:
Estate and contracted vineyards in the Valpolicella and Veneto regions

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NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY



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90
DECEMBER 2021
Scaia “Paradiso” Veneto IGT 2018

Here's a new discovery from Tenuta Sant'Antonio. A blend of 50% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 20% Rondinella and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2018 Scaia Paradiso (closed in a reusable glass cork) is another terrific protagonist in the Scaia set of entry-level wines. This is a solid name to keep on your list of best buys from Italy. This wine shows more density and a heavier center of gravity compared to the Corvina Scaia. This bottle instead shows dark cherry fruit, grilled herb and even a hint of black olive.

90
MAY 2023
Scaia Bianco 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.

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.

91
NOVEMBER 2019
Scaia Rosso Veneto IGT 2017

This is a very spicy red redolent of chili peppers, cumin, oregano and saffron. Lightly herbal and fine and tidy on the medium-bodied palate. Pretty and so drinkable now.

90
MAY 2023
Scaia 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.

90
MAY 2024
Scaia Rosato Veneto IGT 2023

The salmon-hued 2023 Rosato is quite distinctive and complex, opening with an herbaceous nose of thyme, rosemary and grilled peaches. Bright, juicy and energetic in the mouth, exotic spice notes develop with air, wrapping around a core of tart cherry-berry fruit. This cleans up so nicely on the finish. I'm refreshed, and I'm ready for another sip.

89
MAY 2023
Scaia Rosso Veneto IGT 2020

Rather jammy strawberry and raspberry on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with intensity of fruit and some fine tannin that does little to impede the flow. Glass stopper. Good and fruity. Drink now.

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.