There are islands you visit once and never forget—and then there’s Sardinia. Blustery coasts, sun-drenched hills, and a rhythm of life that seems tailor-made for wine. We’re thrilled to announce that Saraja, one of Sardinia’s most captivating estates, is joining our National Imports portfolio. Their wines are a distillation of the island itself: vibrant, authentic, and impossible to mistake for anything else. This summer we had the pleasure of bringing a handful of our team to experience Saraja firsthand and taste through the finer things in island life. Here are their impressions from the journey. But first, a short introduction.
Meet Saraja
Perched on the island’s famous Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) of Sardinia, Saraja is led by Mark Hartmann and winemaker Federico Curtaz. They cultivate vines across several key regions: Gallura (Sardinia’s only DOCG appellation), Romangia, Ogliastra, and Sulcis. Their approach blends the deep-rooted traditions of Sardinia with a fresh perspective that easily resonates with the modern palate. Signature grapes like Vermentino, Carignano and Cannonau thrive here, and Saraja’s low intervention approach allows each distinctive parcel of land to shine through. Individually, each is evocative of the coast, the scrublands, and the sun-soaked soils of Sardinia. But it’s the white wines at Saraja that first drew us in: focused, complex and elegant, these bottles are packed with intense minerality, craveable acidity and loads of power— well worth traveling for.
Mark takes us on a tour through
Saraja estate vineyards
From the Island, with Love:
Four Perspectives from Our Sales Team
Richard, Michelle, Karen, Hunter, Leslie & Sean
The Lay of the Land with Hunter, DFW Sales – Italian Wine Specialist
“It’s one of the true gems of the Mediterranean— extremely beach oriented, with crystal-clear water and white sand beaches… As for the vineyards, they’re much more hilly and mountainous. Wholly different from Sicily in that there is practically no volcanic presence in the soils. These mountains were formed from the crashing of the African continent into Europe millions of years ago, as opposed to the entirely volcanic soils and geology of Mt Etna.
The “Cru” vineyards are all named after specific faces (i.e. Kari di Petra), as the peaks of the hills tend to resemble faces from a distance. Granite is dominant in the lower base, and quartz-rich compacted sedimentary soils are near the top, counter to how topsoil typically moves down-slope. Very hot weather, very little rainfall.”
Windswept with Sean, Chain Manager – Central Market
“The thing that stood out to me was the air flow and the resemblance to Rioja. Mountains from the north block wind, but wind coming from the east and south cool the vines. It turns the area into a hot soup bowl, but seals in the flavor to enhance the grapes and make them struggle.”
Green Practices with Michelle, San Francisco Sales
“At Saraja, sustainability is deeply rooted in the land. They irrigate from three natural ponds on the property and craft their own corks from cork oak trees grown right in the vineyard. As the midday sun beamed down on us, I watched insects buzz through the trees, brush, and vines—a vibrant sign of a healthy, thriving ecosystem. It’s clear they follow organic principles and prioritize the health of the vineyard, cultivating with care and respect for the environment.”
Pair Like a Local with Richard, Houston Sales
“I really enjoyed the Saraja wines at 12.1 Cafe Restaurant, where we were served a first course of seafood crudo— which I really love in general. But also, I find I can analyze wines the best when they aren’t paired against a complicated or full flavored dish. It helps the wines shine on their own without competing for attention. When it comes to Italian cooking, less is more and Saraja definitely helped shape the experience of dining beach side.”
Wines to Watch For
“What sets Saraja apart? Their focus on acidity, and honing in on Vermentino while other places are interested in raising percentages of international varieties. It’s exciting to see these wines come out of this particular landscape!” — Leslie, Director of Marketing
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Saraja Tarra Noa Vermentino Gallura – Rare for Sardinia, this is pure, unadulterated 100% Vermentino. With fermentation in stainless steel and six months of lees aging, expect notes of resinous, herbal myrtle and sea water salinity.
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Saraja Kintari Vermentino Gallura Superiore – Hailing from the northernmost part of the island in the Telti subregion, Kintari is another sterling example of 100% Vermentino. With an average vine age of 18 years, it strikes a balance between a silky, powerful structure and hallmark salty minerality.
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Saraja Libaltai isola dei Nuraghi IGT Carignano – Heading Southwest, Carignan from Sardinia is often more plush and less rustic than its French or Spanish counterparts. Ripe fruit, marasca cherries, and spices like wild sage and black pepper abound.
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Saraja Inkibi Cannonau di Sardegna – Saraja Cannonau, the local name for Grenache, has been growing in Romangia for 20 years. After 2 months of batonnage on fine lees and 4 months in steel, Inkibi yields aromas of pomegranate, figs, and almonds. It finishes with a soft tannin.
Saraja avoids all use of pesticides and insecticides, limits sulphur, and uses eco-friendly, light-weight bottles
Get Ready to Pour Sardinia
Sardinian wines are having a moment, and for good reason. They offer the intrigue of an island wine culture, the food-friendly versatility sommeliers crave, and a distinctive flavor profile that sets them apart from mainland Italian offerings. And lucky for us all, these single-varietal bottles are stocked and ready to sell. For pricing and ordering, reach out to your sales rep or visit our portfolio page to add them to your favorites. This is more than a new addition— it’s a chance to delve into a unique corner of the world one delicious wine at a time.