Born in the Vineyard: The Heart & Soul of San Valentino

Behind every exceptional bottle of wine lies a dedicated landscape, a unique microclimate, and a story written by hands that truly love the earth. This week, as we savor the crisp, vibrant qualities of the San Valentino Chardonnay Trebbiano, we are taking a deeper look at the incredible estate where this magic begins: the San Valentino Winery.

Situated on the sun-drenched hillsides of Colle di Covignano in Italy's historic Romagna region, San Valentino has established itself as a true landmark of the territory, consistently boasting international scores among the absolute highest in the region.

A Philosophy Rooted in the Soil

The estate extends over 17 hectares of pristine, winery-owned land. Every single vine enjoys a coveted south and southwest exposure, soaking up optimal sunlight across the rolling hills. The soil here is deliberately poor, containing a low percentage of clay and limestone, a characteristic that forces the vines to dig deep, building concentrated and complex flavor profiles in the fruit.

"Any work on the plants is done for one purpose and one purpose only, and that is to create the best possible conditions for healthy, top-quality grapes. Because, as they say around here, a good wine is born in the vineyard and completed in the winery."

True to this standard, 100% of the vines are cultivated under strict organic farming guidelines. The rows are meticulously cover-cropped in alternating patterns to promote biodiversity and natural soil health. With a high plantation density of 7,000 plants per hectare trained using the traditional Guyot system, the yields are kept low down to around 8,000 kg of grapes per hectare. To ensure absolute quality and care, the entire harvest is performed strictly by hand.

17 ha OWNED VINEYARDS

100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC

8,000 kg YIELD PER HECTAR

A Legacy of Passion, Love, and Resilience

While the winery stands on a historical post-war settlement, its modern renaissance truly began in the 1990s when Giovanni Mascarin purchased the farm from the Nanni family. In 1997, Giovanni’s son, Roberto Mascarin, alongside his wife Valeria, took the helm of the estate. Driven by a deep passion for the fruits of the earth and an unwavering belief in the potential of Colle di Covignano, they initiated a profound turning point for the property.

During these defining years, historic labels like Scabi, Terra di Covignano, and Luna Nuova were born, wines that would ultimately map out the pedigree of the winery. The estate flourished rapidly until tragedy struck in 2017, when Roberto lost his beloved Valeria to a severe illness. In her honor and memory, he created "ViVi", a profoundly moving blend that stands today as the company's most iconic and emotional cruise label.

The Collection: Ten Labels, One Identity

Today, San Valentino produces ten distinct labels from four core grape varieties. While 70% of the vines are dedicated to red grapes, namely Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah, the estate beautifully balances its portfolio with exceptional white varieties, including the native Rebola

and the classic Chardonnay-Trebbiano blend.

The winery features four prestigious single-vineyard Cru labels: ViVi, Terra di Covignano, Luna Nuova, and Mascarin. Among their collection is one sparkling wine and eight still wines (two white and six red). The crowning jewel of their artisanal patience is the Contesse Muschietti, an extraordinary Rebola straw wine that is solera-aged in oak barrels for over 15 years.

Looking Forward to an Elegant Future

In recent years, the story of San Valentino has entered a dynamic new chapter. To ensure the estate never stopped evolving, Roberto welcomed new business partners to his side. Since the end of 2022, entrepreneur and managing director Gianluca Marchetti has joined Roberto at the helm.

Together, this new management team is steering a vision for a more elegant future. They are actively reorganizing the estate grounds to welcome a growing number of international visitors drawn to their exclusive events and celebrated wines, cementing San Valentino’s legacy for generations to come.

Taste the Legacy for Yourself

Want to explore the complete collection, read full tasting notes, or plan your visit to the beautiful hills of Romagna?

Visit San Valentino Winery's Website