Cantina Sociale di Dorgali, founded in 1953, represents one of the largest wine cooperatives in Sardinia. It is located in an area, that of Dorgali, which is highly suited to the production of wine grapes: its member members own 550 hectares of vineyards, which also extend into the neighboring municipalities of Barbagia di Ollolai and the Baronie. Vineyards are trained both according to traditional bush-trained forms and more modern espalier techniques. Ninety percent of the production is made from cannonau, the area’s main grape variety: these grapes are carefully selected for the production of DOC and IGT wines. Contributing members also produce international grapes, such as cabernet sauvignon and merlot, in addition to more traditional grapes, such as vermentino. Within the winery spaces, the transformation processes have been updated, new technologies and analytical tools have been introduced to have more control over the wine. The first core of the building, built between 1953 and 1956, was expanded in later years by local workers also organized into cooperatives. A number of contributions by Dorgali designers and artists can now be seen in the Cellar, both in the interior spaces and on the main facade. In 2023, the Social Winery will celebrate its 70th anniversary by opening its doors to the public during “Open Monuments.”
