Terra Vecchia

Terra Vecchia sits on the eastern coast of Corsica, just outside Aléria, where the Mediterranean meets ancient land. The name means ancient lands in Corsican, and you can feel that history here. Romans once walked these vineyards over 2,000 years ago. Today, the estate stretches across 200 hectares, tucked between the Diana lagoon and the Pianiccia plateau. The vines practically dip their toes in the water while the mountains watch from behind. The terroir is split into two distinct personalities. Down by the coast, sandy-clay soils bring softness and freshness to the wines. The Diana lagoon acts like a natural shield, protecting the vines from sea spray while keeping temperatures gentle. Inland at Clos Poggiale, the soils shift to granite and red clay, deeper and more structured. Here the wines take on more power and minerality. Mountains cool the nights while Mediterranean sun floods the days. It's a landscape of contrasts, and you taste that in every bottle.

Jean-François Renucci bought Terra Vecchia in 2011 from the Skalli family, who had planted the original vineyards back in 1961. Renucci wasn't a traditional winemaker. He started as a fruit and vegetable grower, buying his first vineyard parcels in 2006. It took him two years to convince the Skalli family to sell. Once he had the keys, he transformed everything. He replanted a quarter of the vineyard with Corsican varieties at higher density, rebuilt trellises, and even brought in sheep to graze naturally among the vines. He worked with renowned oenologist Denis Dubourdieu to modernize the cellar. New cooling systems, thermo-regulated tanks, and completely relined concrete vats. But technology serves tradition here, not the other way around. Renucci is committed to organic conversion and focuses entirely on island grapes like Niellucciu, Sciaccarellu, Vermentinu, and the rare Biancu Gentile. He's determined to wake up Corsican winemaking and show the world what this island can do.

The estate produces both AOP Corse and IGP Île de Beauté wines. You'll find expressive whites made from Vermentinu and Chardonnay, with citrus and herbal notes that smell like the maquis. The rosés blend Niellucciu and Syrah, direct-pressed and fermented cold to keep them fresh and fruity. Reds combine Niellucciu with Merlot or Syrah, aged in concrete tanks or oak barrels depending on the cuvée. The entry-level Terra Vecchia range shows off the coastal terroir with soft, approachable wines. Clos Poggiale offers more structure and depth from those granite soils inland. Premium cuvées like Albaria push quality even higher. The domaine also makes Kiara, a craft beer, staying true to local production. Wines are aged slowly in acacia or oak foudres to preserve the fruit and let the terroir speak. Everything here reflects the island, from the sea breeze to the mountain herbs to the wild beauty of Corsica itself.