The Ancient Wine Route That Reveals the Hidden Side of Sardinia

In Sardinia all roads seem to lead…to wine! A journey across the island can turn into a magnificent itinerary through vineyards, villages, cities, and traditions, revealing its most authentic and hidden side.

The Sardinian folkloric and food tradition, enhanced at its best by the program of Salude & Trigu promoted by Sassari's Chamber of Commerce, is particularly linked to wine, a symbol of cumbidu (invitation) and conviviality between sacred and profane. Just think that, by now, 28.000 hectares of the island are now destined to viticulture.

Join us on a journey through Sardinia, among villages and cities, following a route where wine and the events dedicated to it take centre stage. Here are some ideas for 10 stops to discover Sardinia’s finest wines and vineyards.

Let's start!

An unforgettable experience in Sardinia cannot do without a wine itinerary that will make you fall in love with this island. Among vineyards overlooking the sea, historic wine cellars and charming villages, you can taste the best Sardinian wines and discover the authentic flavors of the island's cuisine.

The Sardinian wine-growing tradition boasts no less than 17 DOC designations of origin (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata) and one DOCG (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata e Garantita), awarded to Vermentino di Gallura. These are opportunities to discover the excellence of Sardinian wines that pair well with the food tradition of an island with a strong and authentic aura, rich in raw materials appreciated all over the world.

Our wine itinerary in Sardinia approaches the Salude & Trigu program, which introduces you to the main events held in Northern Sardinia, for a holiday filled with traditions, flavors, and unforgettable experiences. A journey to discover the island’s most authentic side, one tasting at a time.

Here's the detailed plan for the wine tasting itinerary in Sardinia to sip this year, including the name of the wines, the main location of production and distribution, and (if possible) the events not to be missed to try these extraordinary products:

1. Vermentino di Gallura, Olbia, "Benvenuto Vermentino"

2. Monica di Sardegna, Sassari and Cagliari, "Su Trinta 'e Sant'Andria"

3. Cagnulari, Alghero

4. Cannonau, Usini, "Ajò a Ippuntare"

5. Moscato di Romangia, Sorso, and Sennori

6. Malvasia DOC, Bosa

7. Vernaccia, Oristano

8. Carignano del Sulcis, Southern Sardinia

9. Bovale Sardo, Campidano

10. Semidano DOC, Mogoro

The Sardinia wine itinerary begins with it, the prince of the sea, an iconic excellence produced only in the northern area of the region: numerous times awarded Vermentino di Gallura DOCG, an ideal wine for summer.

What's better than a glass of fresh white wine at sunset, sided by some nice fish delicacies? Choose it especially for the happy-hour. With its greenish and golden reflections and the intense floral scent, it is an amazing white wine to be paired with fish based dishes, such as seafood first courses, baked fish and citrus carpaccios; but trust us, it will amaze you even with sweet and delicate cheeses.

The best occasion to taste this authentic wine symbol of Sardinia? Get a trip to the splendid Olbia over the first week of October for two unique themed-events: Benvenuto Vermentino, a real festival dedicated to tasting and music, and the Vermentino Literary Prize, with the award ceremony of an Italian narrative work dedicated to the wine-making activity and rural life among the vineyards.

Strolling from North to South around the villages and the wonderful landscapes of Sardinia, between food and wine festivals and tourist experiences capable of satisfying each tourist's wish, eventually will come the perfect time will for a carefree and tasty break.

What could be better that toasting with a cheerful and undemanding wine? We're speaking of Monica di Sardegna. The Monica vines seem to be found only in Sardinia and nowhere else around Italy, but...did you know that it came from Spain? I's not a case if it's also known as Monica di Spagna.

Colored in purplish red, delicate and soft, it has scents of the undergrowth and some aftertaste like blackberry and cherry, with a slight hint of almond. It almost looks like a perfume to wear, so be careful with this sweetness: it could go to one's head!

The perfect companion for relaxing moments, sitting and chatting with friends on summer evenings, it's the ultimate wine to drink at fresh temperature for an aperitif with pecorino cheese and salami, sardinian fresh caciotta, or to match with a tasteful sausage sauce-based pasta or pork meat.

From the Festival of Zichi in Bonorva, a summer event dedicated to this typical Sardinian product, to the Festival of Su Trinta ‘e Sant’Andria in Ozieri which instead celebrates new wine at the gates of winter and the Christmas holidays, you will have more than one good chance to taste this unique wine.

And if you want an effervescent twist, try the sparkling version too: Monica di Sardegna Frizzante DOC.

While waiting for a nice quality music concert of JazzAlguer, or while walking around the wonderful town of Alghero during the Saint Miquel celebrations, there's nothing better than a glass of Cagnulari for a divine pre-dinner in front of a tagliere of cold cuts, cheeses, jams and carasau bread.

We're talking about an exceptionally pleasant wine, one of the most popular in North Sardinia with Vermentino that was already mentioned earlier, as it involves multiple sensations in its experiencing: for the taste it is well structured and balsamic, for the sight its bright red ruby ​​color stands out, while for the smell it provides elegant sensations with its scent of wild berries.

Cagnulari is a gourmet wine perfect to match with traditional Sardinian dishes, aged cheeses, red meats, but also snails based dishes and other Sardinian delicacies.

Probably the most famous of Sardinian wines, a must to be included in an travel itinerary discovering the finest wine in Sardinia. It is an ancient endemic vineyard of the island, of which grape seeds even dating back over 3200 years ago were found!

Characterized by its deep red color with violet reflections and its intense and full-bodied taste, this wine was popularly acknowledged as a real elixir of long life that's always there (in moderate doses) in the diet of centenarians.

Cannonau wine changes, depending on the production area: it varies from floral to liqueur, from hot to spicy…it is worth it tasting all its varieties and we can tell you that there will be many opportunities to do it with the abundance of events dedicate to wine that you will find throughout Sardinia.

In particular, the perfect meeting point for lovers of this extraordinary wine in Northern Sardinia is Usini, a fascinating hidden gem just South of Sassari which has become famous for its wine production.

In fact, between November and December the streets of the town are lit up with the magic and tradition of Ajò a Ippuntare, an event that best celebrates country life and the goodness of its products such as oil, bread, cheese, and obviously its majesty, the wine, where the Cannonau certainly acts as the protagonist.

Let's toast with you too like Sardinians do: a chent'annos!

If at the end of a rich lunch in a farmhouse you handled to find space for the delicious Sardinian desserts, for sure you will remember their flavor accompanied by that of a nice sip of Moscato.

This passito wine, with a floral and sweetish aroma, blends perfectly with the confectionery tradition of Sardinia, rich in dried fruit, raisins and candied fruit.

This is a vine that loves the sunny hills kissed by the sea wind, such as those of Romangia or Gallura.

In fact the most famous varieties of Moscato are the ones produced in Tempio Pausania and especially in Sorso and Sennori ones: these two beautiful towns, north of Sassari, are often locations for unmissable events celebrating the recognition of this wine as a local excellence.

We now move to the central-western part of Sardinia, where a DOC appellation produced from the grapes of an indigenous variety, Malvasia di Bosa, originates. It must have at least 95 per cent Malvasia di Sardegna grapes as its base, a restriction that makes it very special and valuable.

It exists in a sweet version and in a liqueur version, like many other Sardinian wines. It is part of a millenary winemaking tradition and has a distinctive character due to the particular microclimate of its area of origin.

Bosa is a characteristic medieval village nestled between the sea and the mountains: it is distinguished by its verdant hinterland, dotted with vineyards climbing the hills, which contrasts with the rugged cliffs and golden beaches.

The intense enveloping aroma of this wine from Sardinia goes perfectly with many culinary delicacies, both Sardinian and of other origins. It is especially recommended for cheeses, but will be appreciated by any diner even for desserts and dry pastries: an ideal companion for all occasions that enhance the rich Sardinian gastronomic offering.

A little further south we discover another Sardinian wine-making jewel considered purely local: Vernaccia di Oristano. Produced in the hinterland of Oristano, this white wine boasts a history stretching back thousands of years and a deep bond with the territory.

It was recognized as a DOC wine in 1971 and was the first in Sardinia. It could not be missing from the wine itinerary in Sardinia, as it reflects the strong and authoritative character of its inhabitants: robust, intense and dry flavor, elegant golden yellow color and an alcoholic degree that is memorable.

If you’re looking for a wine to enjoy during your moments of relaxation, Vernaccia di Oristano will offer you great satisfaction. And if you want to pair it with a more elaborate meal, you’ll be able to find the perfect match for every course. It reveals different nuances, notes of yellow-fleshed fruit and hints of aromatic herbs. A true hidden treasure to discover and appreciate.

Our itinerary continues south, towards the warmest and sunniest lands of Sardinia, where Carignano del Sulcis expresses all its power and complexity.

After the Mediterranean aromas of the whites, we plunge into a world of intense and structured reds, capable of aging for many years. This wine's grapes ripen in the southernmost vineyards of Sardinia, included in the 18 municipalities authorized for its cultivation.

This is the Sulcis area, which lies in front of the island of Sant'Antioco. It exists in rosé, novello and passito types, each with a particular aging period.

It is not a light wine, it has the thickness typical of the fine wines of Sardinia, but fresher and more delicate, enveloping and persistent in flavor. It matches perfectly with grilled meats, mature cheeses and full-bodied soups, guaranteeing a unique sensory experience.

Our journey to discover Sardinia's finest wine takes us inland to the central part of the island, among hills that create an authentic and genuine atmosphere.

Here, among the protagonists that bring out the Sardinian spirit, we find the indigenous Sardinian grape varieties that are finding increasing interest due to the authenticity of raw materials: Bovale sardo is the perfect example.

It has a characteristic ruby red color and is a very full-bodied wine. It was used for a long time as a blending grape, used to give structure and color to other wines. In recent years, however, it has been rediscovered and enhanced to bring out its unique identity and great potential, becoming one of the protagonists of Sardinian wine-making.

In your tastings of Sardinian cuisine we truly recommend pairing this wine with red meat dishes, roasts, game and mature cheeses. It is a wine that improves with age, remember this when you decide to taste it!

The last stop on our itinerary ends by discovering Semidano, another purely local Sardinian DOC wine. It is excellent, but its production is inconstant and occurs mainly in the central-western side of the island, an area to discover from coast to hinterland.

These areas offer a unique tourist experience, combining the discovery of exceptional wine with the appreciation of the territory and local traditions.

It is ideal for enhancing seafood dishes, especially shellfish. Its aroma is fruity and floral. Its fresh and persistent flavor leaves a pleasant memory after tasting. Imagine tasting it while dining with a wonderful view of the Sardinian sea...it is a gem of Sardinian wine production that you cannot miss!

All our suggestions for the Sardinia wine itinerary are ideally matched with typical Sardinian products, delicious delicacies to enjoy on your next trip.

We are at the end of this itinerary in 10 stops to discover the finest wines in Sardinia, exploring some of the key locations for winemaking from North to South across the island, and... yes, the wine routes are truly endless!

Join a trip to Sardinia this autumn and don't miss the most beautiful autumnal events promoted by Salude & Trigu dedicated to wine, gastronomy and folklore of North Sardinia.

Throughout the season the Island of the Four Moors will be celebrating the grape harvest, especially in its most picturesque inland villages - above all, Ozieri, Usini, Sorso and Sennori.

We especially recommend you visit Sassari though, for enjoying a truly fantastic Sardinian food and wine experience: like every year, even in early December 2025 it returns Weekend dei Gusti, the appointment with the flavors of the city's street food in the company of a nice glass of wine.