1898

The oldest winery in Sardinia

The Contini family is an integral part of the historical fabric of Cabras. The town's registry office recorded the marriage of Salvador Continy Murtas and Maria Angela Canu in 1642. All the current members of the Contini family are descended from this union (the letter "y" was dropped from the surname in 1700).

We are proud to be the first and oldest winery in Sardinia, an honour that we owe entirely to our founder, Salvatore Contini, and his wife Anna Maria Dessì. That era, although distant in time, is absolutely present for those fortunate enough to visit the heart of our winery, the historic "barricaia", or barrel cellar.

Storica

Barricaia

Storica

Barricaia

1936

In 1936 Salvatore Contini died, leaving the management of the company to his son, Attilio. Thanks to his exceptional entrepreneurial skills, and following the teachings of his parents, he continued the development of the winery.

Attilio married Anna Vincenza, and the couple had five children, Maria Laura, Elisabetta, Salvatore (known as Totino), Antonio and Paolo.

1960

In the 1960s the company, which until then was managed as a family business, consolidated and expanded production thanks to the acquisition of grapes from local growers. Production of Vernaccia reached its highest level in those years, cementing its place as the best-known and most-prized wine of the island.

1971

In 1971 Vernaccia di oristano became the first DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) wine of Sardinia.

In 1980 Attilio died and the winery became a limited company, with all members of the Contini family holding a stake. Salvatore, (Totino), Antonio and Paolo in particular would manage the company, creating new wines and establishing new commercial channels.

roduction of new wines targeting a younger and more dynamic audience, with different consumption habits compared to those of the previous generations, was launched. Several local autochthonous vines were also rediscovered, such as Nieddera, Caddiu and Muristellu (Sardinian Bovale).

Today the company is led by Alessandro and Mauro, the sons of Totino and Antonio respectively. Paolo Contini, the son of Attilio and grandson of Salvatore, is today the custodian of the family's history and Honorary President of the Contini Winery.

The company produces a complete range of wines available in Italy and internationally. It is continually evolving, in terms of both winemaking techniques and the conception of new products.

2022

In 2022, the new winery designed by Giovannimontessorostudio dA was inaugurated. A restyling of the spaces with the aim of bringing Contini 1898 into the future and becoming a home to experiences, a meeting point, and a destination to be discovered.

Nowadays wineries have become sanctuaries of design, which people choose to visit to spend some time tasting quality wines and creating new experiences in good company.Faithful to the philosophy that combines respect for the past with the value of innovation, the historic barrel cellar, the inner sanctum where our oldest Vernaccia wines rest, has been preserved. Visiting it is a genuine voyage back into the past, and its calm silence exudes the passion and love poured into Contini 1898 wines by so many people over the decades.