Patrimonio AOC is the oldest AOC region (1968) on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica (‘Corse’). The appellation is named after the village of Patrimonio in the far north of Corsica.

Communes: Barbaggio. | Casta. | Farinole. | Oletta (in part): Patrimonio: | Poggio d’Oletta: | Saint Florent (in part).

Terroir: The production zone lies on Corsica’s north coast, extending from the Gulf of Saint-Florent west of Bastia to the south. It forms a small enclave which runs from the Golfe de Saint-Florent, rising towards both the east but mainly to the south and into the heart of the Nebbio, in what is called ‘L’Eventail de la Conca d’Oru, and on calcareous soils (Rosemary George MW, French Country Wines (Mitchell Beazley, 1990) p.301).  ‘The vineyards are terraced on the steep slopes of Mont St-Angelo, which dominates the skyline of Patrimonio,’ (Rosemary George MW: French Country Wines (Mitchell Beazley, 1990) p.301. The Patrimonio AOC partly overlaps the Muscat du Cap Corse AOC.

Vineyard area & wine production: 2002 420ha producing 13,724hl of which 1,829hl of white (Guide Hachette: 2004, p.801). 2018-2019 500 hectares producing around 15,000 hl (45% red, 40 % rosé, 5% white).

Environmental initiatives: In 2019 wine-growers in the Patrimonio AOC voted to ban the use of Glyphosate-based treatments and other herbicides over the next two years.

Wines

Patrimonio Blanc AOC. Based on Vermentino (‘Malvoisie’ locally). From 2000 Vermentino must account for 100% of the blend.

Patrimonio Rosè, Rouge AOC: 95-100% Nielluccio (Sangiovese). 0-5% Grenache Noir, Sciacarello.

Wineries: Antoine Arena. | Clos de Bernardi. | Clos Marfisi. | Clos Montemagni. | Clos Signadore. | Clos Teddi. | Domaine Aliso Rossi. | Domaine de Catarelli. | Domaine Gentile. | Domaine Giacometti. | Domaine Leccia. | Domaine Napoléon Brizi. | Domaine Pastricciola. | Domaine San Quilico. | Orenga de Gaffory.