Domaine de Vaccelli (2020/2021)

A small family winery responsible for leading Corsica’s viticultural renaissance since the 1960s, Alain Courrèges and his son, Gérard, have established Domaine de Vaccelli as one of the island’s must-have allocations.

Taking over his father’s vineyards on Ajaccio’s rugged, granitic hillsides in 1974, Alain recognised the potential of Corsica’s native varieties Vermentinu and Sciaccarellu to craft beautiful and terroir-driven fine wines. He renovated the family winery, built a new underground cellar, and slowly grew his holdings. The 18ha estate, which includes some of the island’s oldest vines, is now farmed organically and worked entirely by hand.

Fermented with native yeasts and aged in a combination of stainless steel, barriques, and concrete eggs, Vaccelli’s whites match sumptuous weight with ripe Amalfi lemon notes and pin-sharp mineral definition. Its reds are generous, yet ethereal, and show complex herbal nuances from the local maquis scrubland. While accessible in youth, they are built to age gracefully.

Highly rated and sought after among sommeliers and collectors in France – bottles are now commonly spotted next to the likes of Domaine des Miroirs and Selosse in line-ups at baller wine dinners – Domaine de Vaccelli is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves elsewhere.

With fewer than 7,000 cases made each year, these Corsican gems are rarely seen in the UK – this is your opportunity to try the latest offering from the domaine.

White

Vaccelli Blanc 2021 (£46)
A blend of the estate’s coolest Vermentino plots. Powerful lemon and floral notes with mouth-watering acidity.

Vaccelli Blanc ‘Quartz’ 2021 (£72)
A blend of four indigenous Coriscan varieties. Vibrant and textural, with ripe apricot and almond meal savouriness.
94-96 Points, La Revue du Vin de France

Vaccelli Blanc ‘Granit’ 2021 (£72)
Old-vine Vermentino from the estate’s highest vineyards. Chamomile, yellow fruit, and smoke over a mineral-rich core.
94 Points, La Revue du Vin de France

Vaccelli Blanc ‘Chioso Novo’ 2021 (£88)
From vines planted in 1964. Complex layers of citrus, wet stones, and white flowers. Buttery in texture, yet ultra-bright.

Vaccelli Blanc ‘Aja Donica’ 2021 (£88)
Vermentino and Bianco Gentile planted in 1967. Tightly coiled – candied lemon, sweet spices, and blossom. Seamless.
93 Points, La Revue du Vin de France

Vaccelli Blanc ‘Campo di Magna’ 2021 (£88)
From vines planted in 1964. Waves of citrus unfurl around gentle oxidative savouriness and crystalline minerality. Like great white Rioja.

Red

Vaccelli Rouge 2020 (£47)
From two different plots of old-vine Sciaccarellu. Charming, spicy red fruit is framed by fine tannins and herbal lift.

Vaccelli Rouge ‘Quartz’ 2020 (£72)
A blend of Carcajolo, Minustellu, and Sciaccarellu. Restrained power meets fruit finesse and a velvety texture.
94 Points, La Revue du Vin de France

Vaccelli Rouge ‘Granit’ 2020 (£74)
Sciaccarellu from 50+-year-old vines. Black cherry, leather, and sweet spices – long, tapered, and precise.
94-95 Points, La Revue du Vin de France

Vaccelli Rouge ‘Chioso Novo’ 2020 (£90)
Aromatic black fruit layered with complex maquis and sanguine nuances. Gastronomic and ageworthy.

Vaccelli Rouge ‘Granit 174’ 2020 (£99)
Sciaccarellu from a tiny plot of old vines within the ‘Granit’ site. A gorgeous, raspberry-tinged infusion. Silky and refined.

Please note that this offer has expired, however you can check current stocks via the search bar or shop@shrinetothevine.co.uk