Clos Signadore - Patrimonio 'A Mandria di Signadore' White 2023

Corsica has a way of making the familiar feel foreign, and Vermentinu, the island's own inflection of Vermentino is no exception. In the hands of Clos Signadore, farmed organically and touched as little as possible in the cellar, it becomes something precise and alive. The nose is restrained and focused: lemon peel, lemon curd, white fruit, a flicker of white pepper, nothing decorative, everything purposeful. The palate is where it earns its keep. There is a nervous, almost electric tension to it, dry and saline, with the kind of vibrant acidity that makes you reach for another sip before the first has quite finished. The finish carries a subtle bitter note, bitter almond, perhaps, or citrus pith that is entirely characteristic of the grape and the island, and entirely correct. Pale gold in the glass, brilliant and restless. A wine that tastes like somewhere specific.

More About The Winery

Christophe Ferrandis was born in Marseille to a family with deep Corsican roots. After several years working at the renowned Domaine de Pibarnon in Bandol, he returned to Corsica, initially serving as a consultant for a local cooperative. In 2001, with the help of family connections, he acquired a few hectares of old vines and established his own domaine: Clos Signadore.

From the outset, Christophe’s vision has been to reveal the nobility of Corsica’s terroir, particularly through Niellucciu, the island’s emblematic red grape, and Vermentinu for whites. His vineyards, located in Poggio d’Oletta within the Patrimonio AOC, are planted across two distinct terroirs: Morta Piana and Morsaglia. With their north-facing exposure, the vines are naturally protected from the island’s intense sun, allowing him to harvest grapes at full maturity while preserving freshness.

Today, Clos Signadore cultivates 8 hectares of old vines rooted in limestone and clay soils, farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles to safeguard biodiversity and express the character of the land.

In the cellar, vinification follows a philosophy of minimal intervention. Fermentations are carried out in concrete or large neutral vessels, ensuring the wines retain purity of fruit, minerality, and a sense of place.

The estate’s range is anchored by the flagship Clos Signadore Patrimonio, alongside single-parcel cuvées that display impressive depth, aromatic complexity, and remarkable ageing potential. The domaine also produces the A Mandria cuvées (red, white, and rosé), offering more immediate expressions of Corsican freshness and charm.

Clos Signadore is now considered a rising star of Corsican wine – producing reds of concentrated elegance and vibrant, balanced whites that embody the rugged Mediterranean beauty of the island.