Italian wine producer Santa Margherita marks 70 years of crafting its best-selling and flagship Prosecco Superiore – an elegant and modern sparkling wine that has spurred a revolution in taste and wine-drinking pleasure globally, including Australia.
Hailing from the hills of Conegliano – Valdobbiadene in Italy, Santa Margherita was one of the pioneers in producing sparkling wine from Glera grapes in the 1950s. These early efforts not only established a benchmark of quality and provenance but inspired this winemaking method long before the ‘Prosecco Phenomenon’.
Commenting on the 70th-anniversary milestone, Santa Margherita Brand Ambassador Erika Gallon said, ‘Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore is not only reminiscent of the Italian lifestyle, capable of winning over new wine lovers globally, but it is also a sparkling wine that expresses its unique origins and rich heritage. Prosecco Superiore symbolises Santa Margherita’s first love and the true potential of sparkling Glera wine.’
Congratulations on Santa Margherita’s 70th anniversary – how exciting! What is it about Santa Margherita and its history that makes it so special?
Thank you, it is very exciting! Santa Margherita began in 1935 in the Veneto region of Italy—87 years in the making. To me, one of the most special things about Santa Margherita is its origin story. Our founder, Count Gaetano Marzotto, found an abandoned piece of land in the Venetian countryside – a region famous for fine vineyards since Roman times. He chose to revitalise the land he found in order to serve his community and employ cutting-edge agricultural science. He named the vineyard after his one true love, his wife Margherita. Santa Margherita is so special because it was born out of love, both romantic love, and love for one’s community.
The Prosecco in particular I know has a very special place in the heart of the brand – what makes it such a standout?
Santa Margherita Prosecco began in 1952 in the enchanting Italian hillside north of Venice in Valdobbiadene when Gaetano Marzotto fell in love with the local variety Glera and the countryside which captured his heart. Santa Margherita has been one of the pioneers to recognise the wine’s potential in becoming a top-quality sparkling wine.
These early efforts not only established a benchmark of quality and provenance but inspired this
winemaking method in the early 1950s, and helped to establish the hillside of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene into Prosecco heartland and the cradle of DOCG status, the highest and most distinctive classification possible for Italian wines.
What are some of the other wine varieties that everyone must try?
Santa Margherita’s Pinot Grigio is a must-try. It’s best-seller worldwide and an icon for different generations of wine lovers. Our Pinot Grigio is a dry white wine with a clean and intense aroma and has the appealing flavour of golden delicious apples, making it a wine with great personality and versatility. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any event.
Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva is also a fan favourite. We believe sharing a bottle of our Chianti Classico with a loved one is the ultimate expression of Italian hospitality.
Describe Santa Margherita in 3 words.
Traditional, Inclusive, and authentic.
