Jankara

JANKARA WINERY

Founded in 2006 with 22 acres, Jankara is the result of a wonderful partnership between the Spanu and Empson families. The winery is located in the prestigious Vena di San Leonardo area but has expanded its highly rated range to include three reds from Mamoiada, one of the most sought-after “Grand Crus” in Sardinia. They work with renowned Italian winemaker Gianni Menotti.

POINTS OF DIFFERENTIATION

• Family-run boutique winery with a great passion for Vermentino and Cannonau and extensive knowledge of market
• Vineyards located in two of the “Grand Cru” areas of Sardinia (San Leonardo for Vermentino, Mamoiada for Cannonau)
• The family painstakingly cares for the vineyards, doing everything by hand.
• Gianni Menotti – one of Italy’s best winemakers – consults on the wines
• Small, quality-oriented production

THE HISTORY

After decades working in the wine business in the USA, Sardinian-born Renato Spanu and his wife Angela Spanu decided to branch out on their own and follow their dream of opening a winery. They went back to Renato’s roots in Gallura, Sardinia, where they found and quickly acquired 21 acres of untouched hillside terrain in the prestigious area of San Leonardo – the most sought-after area of the island for the cultivation of Vermentino grapes. They planted their first Vermentino vineyard in 2008.

The couple quickly brought on enologist Gianni Menotti, who was named Best Wine Maker of the Year by Bibenda in 2012.

THE TERROIR

The property is located between the towns of Luras and Sant’ Antonio di Gallura, near Lake Liscia in the highlands of Gallura. The prestigious sub-zone called Vena di San Leonardo runs from Lake Liscia to the territory around the minuscule, medieval country church of San Leonardo.

Within this vein Jankara’s Vermentino vineyards sit on the cru of Giannaghe, “Jannaca” in the local dialect, facing another historic cru called “Karana.” The names of the two crus were combined to create the winery’s name Jankara.

The unique Mediterranean climate is influenced by the vast lake and the island’s second-highest mountain, Limbara. Large fluctuations between day and nighttime temperatures help the grapes build strong aromatic properties. Constant winds in the area protect the vineyards from the scorching Sardinian heat, flying pests, and rot and disease, ensuring pristine health before the grapes ever hit the cellar. Crushed granite soils provide excellent drainage for the vines and contribute outstanding minerality to the wines.