Jean-Baptiste ARENA

Jean-Baptiste Arena, the eldest son of Antoine Arena, now makes white, red and muscatel wines from the Grotte di Sole terroir. All the wines are still vinified at Winery in Patrimonio (or Patrimoniu in Corsica).

A family history

After a few years studying law, Jean-Baptiste felt the call of the land very early on and decided to return to Corsica to work at Winery his father. When Antoine Arena reached retirement age, the vineyards were divided between the two brothers, Jean-Baptiste and Antoine-Marie, who continue to work together.

The terroir of Patrimonio

At the foot of the western coast of Cap Corse, on the heights overlooking the Gulf of Saint-Florent, an 8-million-year-old limestone cirque has formed at the boundary between the schist and granite formations of Corsica. This terroir, swept by the island’s five prevailing winds (grecale, sciroccu, libecciu, maistrale, tramuntana), is characterized by its geological diversity, centuries-old winemaking expertise, and the Patrimoniu winemakers’ respect for the surrounding biodiversity. The distinctive character of the AOC is also found in its two main grape varieties: Niellucciu and Malvasgia; other varieties have since been added to enrich this ampelography: Muscat, Biancu Gentile, Carcaghjolu Neru, Morescone, Minustellu...

The AOC Patrimonio prohibits chemical weeding

It is official, the Corsican appellation of Patrimonio is now the first appellation in France to have included in its specifications the prohibition of synthetic chemical weedkillers.

Soil work and manual harvesting

Ploughing, no treatment, natural manure and biodynamic work on slopes of more than 25°, where once there were olive trees and scrubland. This is the way Winery works its land. The vines are cultivated in a natural way, without weed killers, chemical fertilizers or synthetic products. The grapes are harvested by hand.

Jean-Baptiste has been the main actor in the transition of the vineyards from "BIO" to "Biodynamie". This ensures a bright future for this family Winery and for Patrimonio.