Società Agricola Mariotti

Mariotti i Vini delle Sabbie is a family-run winery located in the Bosco Eliceo area of the Po Delta Park, in the province of Ferrara, Emilia Romagna, less than a kilometer from the Adriatic coast. The winery was founded in 1976 by Giorgio Mariotti, beginning as “La Bottega del Vino,” offering vineyard analysis and consulting services.

A Pioneer of the Bosco Eliceo DOC

Giorgio Mariotti became one of the leading promoters of the Bosco Eliceo DOC, established in 1989, and started producing his own wine in 1998. He was determined to vinify grapes directly from particularly well-suited vineyards, including the “Fondo Luogaccio” plot in San Giuseppe di Comacchio — the area of origin of the native Fortana grape, locally known as “Uva d’Oro.” This vineyard sits within the Natura 2000 site known as “Duna di San Giuseppe,” recognized by the Emilia Romagna Region as a historic vineyard.

A Family Legacy

In 2000, son Mirco Mariotti, a graduate in Enology from the Università del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza, joined the family business alongside his sister Barbara. Since 2009, the two siblings have managed the winery together, carrying forward their father’s legacy with a strong commitment to tradition and quality.

The Vineyards and the Sands

The estate’s roughly 6 hectares of vineyards lie near the mouth of the Po River, in the area known as the “Vini delle Sabbie” (Wines of the Sands), where traditional varieties such as Trebbiano Romagnolo, Malvasia di Candia and the native Fortana (Uva d’Oro) are cultivated. Many of these vines are over a century old and are planted on their original rootstock (“piede franco”) thanks to the sandy soil, benefiting from their proximity to the Adriatic Sea.

Terroir Ferrara

Beyond championing the Fortana grape, Mirco also works with Uva d’Oro, another variety representative of Ferrara’s winemaking heritage. The family’s passion for the territory led to the creation of “Terroir Ferrara,” a project dedicated to promoting and valuing local viticulture.

The Mariotti family produces a distinctive range of wines rooted in the unique sandy soils of the Bosco Eliceo, near the Po Delta. Many bottles are traditional “rifermentati” — refermented in the bottle using ancestral methods — made from native grapes such as Fortana (also known as Uva d’Oro), Trebbiano Romagnolo and Malvasia di Candia. Below is an overview of some of the estate’s most representative labels.

Smarazen – Bianco dell’Emilia IGP Frizzante

Smarazen is a sparkling white blend of 70% Trebbiano Romagnolo and 30% Malvasia di Candia non aromatica, refermented on the lees. Its name recalls Smarazzino, a traditional Emilian card game, reflecting the wine’s convivial and easy-going character. On the nose it offers rich, intense aromas, while the palate is full-bodied, marked by lively acidity and notes of white peach compote — an intense sip that pairs well with flavorful, hearty dishes.

Sèt e mèz – Fortana dell’Emilia IGP Frizzante (Rosé)

Sèt e mèz is the rosé expression of Fortana, made through bottle refermentation from vines planted in the 1950s. It presents a delicate bouquet of roses, gentle yet tingling, expressing floral freshness alongside compact, textural bubbles — a wine of delicacy and character that captures the lighter side of the Fortana grape.

Surliè! – Fortana dell’Emilia IGP Frizzante

Surliè! showcases Fortana in its deepest and least approachable form. It greets the taster with notes of carbonic freshness and leavened bread, while the palate is full and dry, with an austere, gently sparkling (“pétillant”) character. The finish reveals a surprising, lingering sweetness — a wine that rewards attention and reflects the authentic, rustic soul of the Bosco Eliceo tradition.

Valle Isola – Fortana dell’Emilia IGP Fermo

Valle Isola is a still red wine made from 100% Fortana grapes. It opens with aromas of spring flowers and shows intense acidity on the palate, with pronounced, vinous character typical of the variety — a genuine expression of the Fortana grape grown on the sandy coastal vineyards near the Po Delta.

Brut Natura Abbatia – Metodo Classico

Brut Natura Abbatia represents the estate’s step toward the world of fine sparkling wines made with the classic method (méthode champenoise). Produced from Fortana grapes aged for 15 months on the lees, it offers a more refined, elegant interpretation of this native variety, bridging tradition and contemporary winemaking.