Santa Lusa 2022 Ancarani

Santa Lusa 2022 – Romagna Albana DOCG

Overview

The Santa Lusa 2022 from Cantina Ancarani is a rich and expressive white wine made from Albana grapes, a historic variety native to Romagna. Fermented on the skins and aged in cement, this wine combines depth, texture, and vibrant minerality. It reflects Ancarani’s dedication to authentic, artisanal winemaking and the luminous energy of the Faenza hills. A golden wine that speaks of warmth and tradition. Contains sulfites.

History of the wine

The Santa Lusa is a tribute to Albana di Romagna, the first Italian white wine to achieve DOCG status. Ancarani restores its soul through traditional techniques—hand harvesting, natural fermentations, and respect for local terroir. The name “Santa Lusa,” meaning “holy light,” evokes the golden hue of the grapes at perfect ripeness and the radiant landscapes of Emilia-Romagna, where sunlight and clay soils shape its unmistakable character.

Vineyard philosophy

In the vineyard, the approach is organic and respectful. No herbicides or synthetic treatments are used; only manual work and natural balance guide the process. The Albana vines thrive on clay-limestone soils that enhance the wine’s structure and mineral tension. Harvesting takes place by hand in several passes during early September to select only the ripest and healthiest clusters—a meticulous method that defines the depth of this wine.

Winemaking approach

In the cellar, Santa Lusa follows a path of minimal intervention and patience. After destemming, the grapes undergo a four-day skin-contact fermentation with native yeasts. A gentle pressing under 0.8 bar extracts only the purest aromas. The wine then rests for four months on its natural lees, before aging in cement tanks for at least ten months, achieving natural clarification and balance. Finally, it spends six months in bottle before release.

Tasting notes

Color: deep golden yellow with amber highlights.
Nose: aromas of yellow flowers, ripe peach, apricot, turmeric, and honey.
Palate: soft, structured, and enveloping, with subtle tannins, savory depth, and herbal echoes that reveal its traditional maceration. Persistent and elegant, it lingers with warmth and mineral brightness.

Food pairings

The Santa Lusa 2022 pairs beautifully with white meats, creamy pasta dishes, aged cheeses, and rich seafood recipes. It also complements autumnal dishes like roasted vegetables, pumpkin, or mushrooms. Serve between 14–18 °C to enhance its complexity and balance.

Technical sheet

• Appellation: Romagna Albana DOCG

• Vintage: 2022

• Type: White Wine

• Grape variety: Albana bianca

• Format: 0.75 L

• Harvest: Manual, multi-pass selection in early September

• Vinification: 4-day skin-contact fermentation with indigenous yeasts

• Aging: 4 months on lees, then 10 months in cement

• Serving temperature: 14–18 °C

• Contains sulfites

Ancarani Winery

History

The Ancarani Winery rises among the gentle hills of Oriolo dei Fichi, near Faenza, in the very heart of Romagna’s wine-growing area. Its story began in the 1960s, when the Ancarani family started cultivating vines with deep respect for the land and its rhythms. Today, Claudio Ancarani and Rita Babini continue this heritage, turning traditional farming into a project of artisanal winemaking. Over time, the estate has become a benchmark for those who seek honest wines — true reflections of Romagna’s terroir and character. The goal is not to follow trends, but to preserve authenticity and express tradition through every bottle.

Vineyard Philosophy

In the vineyard, Ancarani follows a philosophy centered on respect for biodiversity and natural balance. Only native Romagna grape varieties are cultivated — Sangiovese, Albana, Famoso, and Centesimino — each thriving in the estate’s sandy, Pleistocene-era soils. The vineyards are managed according to organic principles, with minimal intervention and entirely manual work. Claudio and Rita believe that great wine can only come from healthy, living soil, where every vine grows in harmony with its environment.

Approach in the Cellar

In the cellar, Ancarani’s approach is guided by a desire to express the true character of each vintage. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified using artisanal methods, with indigenous yeasts and minimal use of sulfites. The wines are authentic and pure, shaped by tradition yet alive with contemporary sensitivity. Aging takes place slowly, often in large barrels, with no technological manipulation. Every bottle becomes a sincere expression of Romagna’s identity and soul.

Vision and Territory

For Claudio and Rita, wine is more than a product — it is a cultural expression of place and people. Ancarani’s philosophy emphasizes ethics, sustainability, and transparency. The estate focuses on quality over quantity, producing wines that speak honestly of their origin. Today, Ancarani stands as a symbol of authentic, independent winemaking, embodying the modern spirit of Romagna’s rural heritage.