Preservation & Lumassina
Terrazze Singhie is the natural wine estate of Sara Polo and Mauro Migliavacca, perched on 29 ancient dry-stone terraces in the interior hills above Finale Ligure, in the municipality of Orco Feglino, province of Savona, Liguria. Founded in 2017 after years of travelling the world of wine — both in Italy and internationally — it is a project born from a shared passion for organic viticulture and minimal-intervention winemaking, and from the discovery of a small hidden jewel: a centuries-old vineyard of approximately 0.6 hectares, more than 100 years old, surrounded by historic dry-stone walls and chestnut, oak, and pine woods. It is not merely a winery; it is a project of rescue — of reviving an old vineyard, safeguarding a nearly lost local grape variety, maintaining ancient viticultural structures, and proving that the geographical and historical characteristics of Liguria's terroir can create wines of extraordinary uniqueness and authenticity. The heart of the estate is Lumassina — a rare autochthonous white grape variety found in only three valleys in the Savona area, one of whose historic crus lies in Feglino. Sara and Mauro's belief that this light-skinned variety can yield an exceptional, authentic wine made this vineyard a perfect match. The result is a small but luminous range of natural wines that capture the clarity, integrity, and rootedness of steep hill terraces, forest winds, and soil that is both rugged and alive.
Rescue, Passion & Ancient Terraces
The story of Terrazze Singhie is a story of rescue — of two people who, after years of wandering the world of wine, discovered a small hidden jewel in the interior hills of Liguria and chose to dedicate their lives to preserving it. Sara Polo and Mauro Migliavacca are the heart and soul of the estate — a couple who, in 2017, transformed their shared passion for organic viticulture and natural wine into a living project of extraordinary specificity and beauty. They are not merely winemakers; they are guardians of a centuries-old vineyard, stewards of a nearly extinct grape variety, and believers in the power of minimal intervention to reveal the true character of a terroir that has been cultivated for more than two hundred years. Their journey — years of experience and knowledge gained travelling both in Italy and internationally — led them to this specific place, this specific vineyard, and this specific grape, with a conviction that geography, history, and authenticity could create something truly unique.
The estate is located in Orco Feglino, in the province of Savona, in the western reaches of Liguria — a region of extraordinary natural beauty, dramatic coastline, and a viticultural heritage that stretches back to antiquity. The interior hills above Finale Ligure are a landscape of remarkable character: steep terraced hillsides, ancient dry-stone walls, chestnut and oak forests, and a sense of timelessness that pervades every stone, every vine, every breath of forest wind. The vineyard itself is approximately 0.6 hectares, more than 100 years old, terraced into 29 dry-stone terraces at about 300 meters above sea level, with south-west exposure that captures the sun and aids ripening. The site is surrounded by twenty hectares of heather and wild forest — chestnut, pine, oak, strawberry, and ash trees — creating a biodiverse ecosystem that has remained unchanged for centuries. This is not merely a vineyard; it is a landscape, a heritage, a living museum of Ligurian viticultural history that Sara and Mauro have sworn to protect and preserve.
Sara and Mauro's approach to viticulture and winemaking is rooted in a deep respect for the land and a desire to produce wines that are a pure expression of their unique terroir. They believe that the geographical and historical characteristics of Liguria's terroir can create unique wines — wines that could not be made anywhere else, by anyone else, from any other grapes. This philosophy extends from the vineyard to the cellar: organic farming practices that nurture biodiversity and soil health; painstaking manual labor in a vineyard where machines cannot go; and minimal-intervention winemaking techniques that allow the wine to develop its own character without forced correction. For Sara and Mauro, the wine is not a product to be manufactured but a living expression of the land, the season, the ancient vines, and the rare grape variety that has called this terraced hillside home for centuries. Their desire to preserve a centuries-old vineyard, to safeguard Lumassina, and to maintain the old viticultural structures and terracing is not nostalgia — it is a conviction that the best wines come from the deepest roots, the oldest vines, and the most specific places.
Today, Terrazze Singhie is recognized as one of the most authentic and evocative small estates in the Ligurian natural wine scene — a winery that has earned the attention of natural wine enthusiasts, critics, and fellow producers who understand that Sara and Mauro's work represents something rare: a fusion of rescue and creation, of organic viticulture and historical preservation, of minimal intervention and maximum expression. The estate has been featured by The Grape Reset, SelectioNaturel, Raisin, Vivino, and a growing network of international importers and retailers who seek out wines of authenticity and place. Sara and Mauro's wines are not merely beverages; they are stories — stories of a couple, a hill, a century-old vineyard, a nearly lost grape, and a conviction that the best wines are those that speak most clearly of where they come from.
"Our Lumassina di Bosco has a golden, crystalline colour with opalescent notes. The nose gives hints of flint, yellow golds, Scotch broom, elderberry and orange blossom with notes of chestnut honey and nashi pears. The mineral undertones evolve from flint to salty and slate."
— Sara Polo & Mauro Migliavacca
Dry-Stone Terraces & Forest Biodiversity
Terrazze Singhie's vineyard is located in Orco Feglino, in the province of Savona, Liguria — a region of extraordinary viticultural character where steep, terraced hillsides and ancient dry-stone walls define the landscape. The estate's approximately 0.6-hectare vineyard is more than 100 years old, terraced into 29 dry-stone terraces at about 300 meters above sea level, with south-west exposure that captures the afternoon sun and aids the ripening of the grapes in this cool, maritime-influenced climate. The site is surrounded by twenty hectares of heather and wild forest — chestnut, pine, oak, strawberry, and ash trees — creating a biodiverse ecosystem that has remained unchanged for more than two centuries. This is not merely a vineyard; it is a landscape heritage, a living testament to the centuries of human labor that transformed these steep hills into cultivable terraces, and to the natural world that has always surrounded and sustained them.
The terroir is defined by the sandy-loam soils with a rich skeleton of stones and rocks — a composition that provides both good drainage and mineral richness, forcing the vines to develop deep root systems in search of water and nutrients. The steep, terraced nature of the vineyard means that every task — from pruning to harvest — must be performed entirely by hand, with no possibility of mechanization. The dry-stone walls that make this hill cultivable are made of local stone, built by generations of farmers who understood that the only way to farm these slopes was to work with the land, not against it. The density is around 3,500 plants per hectare, and the vines are espalier-trained in the traditional "Ambrustin" structure — a method typical of the Finale area, created using rough chestnut poles taken directly from the surrounding forest and tied together with willow branches. This is viticulture as it was practiced for centuries, before machines, before chemicals, before the homogenization of modern agriculture.
Farming at Terrazze Singhie is certified organic, with a philosophy that extends beyond the vineyard to embrace the entire surrounding ecosystem as a living, self-sustaining organism. Sara and Mauro do not use chemical pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. All treatments are natural — sulfur, copper, decoctions of plants, micro-organisms, and biodynamic preparations. Every task is painstakingly completed manually, from pruning to harvest, in a vineyard where machines cannot go and where human presence is the only possible intervention. In order to minimize the impact of vineyard monoculture within the surrounding ecosystem, they strive to create a balance in biodiversity. Peaches, apricots, and cherries all grow within the vineyard, and the landscape is left to flourish. More than 200 species of plant cover the terraced rows throughout the year, fighting rain erosion during the autumn period and keeping the soil moist during summer. The beautiful vineyard has remained unchanged for more than two hundred years thanks to careful maintenance of the dry-stone walls, the chestnut wood structures, and the surrounding wooded area. At the heart of everything they do is their great desire to continue this careful preservation, so that they can pass this gift on to future generations.
The grape varieties are a focused expression of Ligurian indigenous heritage and carefully selected complementary varieties. The key grape is Lumassina — a rare autochthonous white variety found in only three valleys in the Savona area, one of whose historic crus lies in Feglino. This light-skinned grape is the soul of the estate, the reason Sara and Mauro chose this specific vineyard, and the variety that produces wines of extraordinary freshness, floral complexity, and mineral depth. The centuries-old vineyard pays homage to the viticultural history of the area, using traditional methods and local resources to cultivate this nearly lost variety. In addition to Lumassina, the estate also works with Vermentino — a great white grape of the Ligurian and Tuscan coast, prized for its body, saline character, and ability to express maritime terroir — which contributes to the TreCrù blend. Together, these varieties form the backbone of Terrazze Singhie's small but luminous portfolio — each one expressing a different facet of the terraced, forested terroir of Orco Feglino, each one a pure, unadorned expression of place, history, and the painstaking manual labor that makes this viticulture possible.
Province of Savona, Liguria. Interior hills above Finale Ligure. Approximately 300 meters above sea level. South-west exposure for optimal ripening. Surrounded by 20 hectares of heather and wild forest — chestnut, pine, oak, strawberry, ash. Steep terraced hillsides with ancient dry-stone walls. Landscape unchanged for more than 200 years. Cool, maritime-influenced climate with forest moderation. Extraordinary viticultural heritage and natural beauty.
Sandy-loam soils with rich skeleton of stones and rocks. Excellent drainage forces deep root systems. Mineral richness imparts distinct freshness, floral complexity, and depth. Steep terraces require entirely manual cultivation — no mechanization possible. Dry-stone walls of local stone built by generations of farmers. Soil kept moist by more than 200 plant species covering terraced rows year-round. Fighting rain erosion naturally. Distinctive Ligurian character: freshness, minerality, forest influence.
Certified organic farming with holistic ecosystem philosophy. No chemical pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. All treatments natural: sulfur, copper, plant decoctions, micro-organisms, biodynamic preparations. Every task painstakingly manual — pruning to harvest. No heavy machines. Biodiversity balance: peaches, apricots, cherries within vineyard. More than 200 plant species cover terraced rows. Careful maintenance of dry-stone walls, chestnut wood structures, surrounding woodland. Preservation for future generations.
Lumassina (rare autochthonous white, found in only three Savona valleys, historic cru in Feglino, light-skinned, extraordinary freshness, floral complexity, mineral depth — soul of the estate, reason for rescue). Vermentino (great Ligurian/Tuscan coastal white, body, saline character, maritime expression — contributes to TreCrù blend). Centuries-old vineyard more than 100 years old. Traditional "Ambrustin" training with chestnut poles and willow branches from surrounding forest. Density ~3,500 plants/hectare. Hand-harvested with rigorous selection.
Minimal Intervention & Natural Expression
At Terrazze Singhie, the cellar philosophy is one of minimal intervention, hands-off winemaking, and absolute respect for the natural character of the grapes — a commitment to producing wines that are a pure and honest expression of the terraced, forested terroir of Orco Feglino, with no forced corrections, no heavy manipulation, and no masking of the grape's natural character. Sara Polo and Mauro Migliavacca believe that the wine knows what it wants to become, and that their role is to guide, not to force — to bring in perfectly healthy, organically grown grapes from their centuries-old vineyard and allow them to ferment, evolve, and express themselves with the minimum of human interference. The result is a small but luminous range of natural wines that are bright, fresh, deeply expressive, and unmistakably connected to the steep terraces, the dry-stone walls, the forest winds, and the rare Lumassina grape that defines this unique corner of Liguria.
The techniques are minimal, respectful, and deeply informed by the couple's commitment to natural expression and historical preservation. Fermentation is natural, using indigenous yeasts — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The wines are often vinified with skin contact (maceration), which adds texture, tannin, and complex flavors that transcend the boundaries between white and orange wine. Ageing is done in old oak or large barrels — vessels chosen to allow gentle oxygen exchange and subtle complexity without imposing oak flavors that would mask the delicate, floral, mineral character of the Lumassina. Ripeness is monitored carefully; grapes may be harvested in more than one pass to capture different ripening stages and aromas — a painstaking, labor-intensive approach that is only possible in a vineyard of 0.6 hectares, and that ensures that every bunch that enters the cellar is at its optimal moment of expression. The wines are not filtered or fined, and added sulphur is minimal or absent entirely. This is not negligence; it is a deliberate, deeply considered rejection of the winemaking industry's standard toolkit in favor of transparency, risk, and authenticity.
"Lumassina di Bosco" — The Signature Lumassina: The Lumassina di Bosco is Terrazze Singhie's most celebrated and distinctive wine — the signature cuvée that encapsulates everything Sara Polo and Mauro Migliavacca believe about organic viticulture, natural winemaking, historical preservation, and the transformative power of patience, respect, and minimal intervention. It is not merely a white wine; it is a testament to the beauty of Lumassina when grown on centuries-old vines in sandy-loam, stone-rich soils, the courage of a couple who chose rescue over convenience, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land, the vine, and the nearly lost grape variety without excessive intervention. Made from 100% Lumassina — the rare autochthonous white grape found in only three valleys in the Savona area — it is a wine of extraordinary freshness, floral intensity, and mineral depth that captures the essence of the Orco Feglino terroir. The grapes are hand-harvested from the estate's ancient organic vineyard, often in multiple passes to capture different ripening stages, and fermented with indigenous yeasts, often with skin contact, then aged in old oak or large barrels. No fining, no filtration. Minimal sulfur. In the glass, it is golden and crystalline with opalescent notes. The nose offers hints of flint, yellow golds, Scotch broom, elderberry, orange blossom, chestnut honey, and nashi pears. The mineral undertones evolve from flint to salty and slate. The palate is fresh and fruity with good acidity — intense but not overpowering. It is a wine of great personality — the quintessential expression of Ligurian Lumassina. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. Drink within 2–3 years for maximum freshness. ~$22–$32 / ~€20–€30.
"TreCrù" — The Vermentino-Lumassina Blend: The TreCrù is Terrazze Singhie's expressive blend — a wine that combines the great Ligurian white grape Vermentino with a small percentage of Lumassina to create a wine of delicate, mineral character that reflects the terroir in a different voice. Made from approximately 95% Vermentino and 5% Lumassina, it is crafted using both whole-cluster and destemmed fermentation, with maceration and time in wood and bottle — a method that captures the body and saline character of Vermentino while allowing the floral, mineral complexity of Lumassina to add depth and intrigue. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged with minimal intervention, it is a wine of greater body and structure than the pure Lumassina, with a distinct maritime influence and a kind of Ligurian coastal elegance that speaks of the nearby Mediterranean. In the glass, it is pale gold with greenish reflections. The nose offers citrus, green apple, white peach, wild herbs, and a distinct mineral, saline note. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a textured mouthfeel, and a long, savory, mineral finish. It is a wine of both immediacy and depth — perfect with seafood, grilled fish, or simply as an aperitif overlooking the sea. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. Drink within 2–3 years. ~$20–$28 / ~€18–€26.
Vessels & Ageing: Terrazze Singhie works with old oak barrels and large wooden vessels — containers chosen deliberately to allow gentle oxygen exchange and subtle complexity without imposing oak flavors that would mask the delicate, floral, mineral character of the Lumassina and Vermentino. There is no stainless steel; the choice of wood is a deliberate embrace of tradition, of the historical methods that would have been used in this centuries-old vineyard long before modern technology. The old wood adds a kind of patina, a subtle oxidative complexity that enhances rather than masks the wine's natural character. All wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, unfined and unfiltered, with minimal or no sulfur added — preserving their natural textures, living yeasts, and authentic flavors. The result is a portfolio of wines that are unmistakably Terrazze Singhie — alive, authentic, deeply connected to the terraced, forested soul of Orco Feglino, and to Sara and Mauro's conviction that the best wines are those that speak most clearly of where they come from, with the least possible interference between the grape and the glass.
"Lumassina di Bosco" — "100% Lumassina — Hand-Harvested in Multiple Passes from Century-Old Organic Vines on 29 Dry-Stone Terraces in Orco Feglino, Indigenous Yeast Fermentation with Skin Contact, Aged in Old Oak, Unfined, Unfiltered, Minimal Sulfur — The Rare, Authentic Expression of Liguria's Nearly Lost Grape"
The Lumassina di Bosco is Terrazze Singhie's most celebrated and distinctive wine — the signature cuvée that encapsulates everything Sara Polo and Mauro Migliavacca believe about organic viticulture, natural winemaking, historical preservation, and the transformative power of patience, respect, and minimal intervention. It is not merely a white wine; it is a testament to the beauty of Lumassina when grown on vines more than 100 years old in sandy-loam, stone-rich soils on 29 ancient dry-stone terraces, the courage of a couple who chose rescue over convenience, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land, the vine, and the nearly lost grape variety without excessive intervention. Lumassina is a rare autochthonous white grape variety found in only three valleys in the Savona area — one of the most endangered indigenous varieties in Italy — and this wine is a liquid argument for its preservation, its potential, and its extraordinary ability to express the specific terroir of Feglino.
The viticulture is certified organic with holistic ecosystem philosophy. No chemical pesticides, no synthetic herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. All treatments natural: sulfur, copper, plant decoctions, micro-organisms, biodynamic preparations. Every task is painstakingly manual — from pruning to harvest — in a vineyard of 0.6 hectares where machines cannot go and where human presence is the only possible intervention. The steep, terraced nature of the vineyard means that every bunch is harvested by hand, often in multiple passes to capture different ripening stages and aromas — a labor-intensive approach that ensures optimal expression. The surrounding twenty hectares of chestnut, pine, oak, strawberry, and ash forest create a biodiverse ecosystem that has remained unchanged for more than two centuries, influencing the wine's character through the forest winds, the microclimate, and the complex web of life that surrounds the vines.
In the cellar, the Lumassina grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts, often with skin contact (maceration) — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The skin contact adds texture, tannin, and complex flavors that transcend the boundaries between white and orange wine, creating a wine of greater depth and intellectual interest than a simple direct-press white. The ageing is done in old oak or large barrels — vessels chosen deliberately to allow gentle oxygen exchange and subtle complexity without imposing oak flavors that would mask the delicate, floral, mineral character of the Lumassina. No fining, no filtration. Minimal or no sulfur. The result is a wine that is alive, authentic, deeply connected to the place from which it comes, and to the philosophical conviction that the best wines are those that speak most clearly of their specific, unrepeatable origin.
In the glass, it is golden and crystalline with opalescent notes — alive, vibrant, authentic. The nose is profound and constantly evolving: hints of flint, yellow golds, Scotch broom, elderberry, orange blossom, chestnut honey, and nashi pears. The mineral undertones evolve from flint to salty and slate, creating a kind of mineral narrative that unfolds with each sip. There are notes of wild herbs, a hint of forest honey, and a subtle stony quality that speaks of the ancient dry-stone walls and the rocky, well-drained soils of the terraces. The palate is fresh and fruity with good acidity — intense but not overpowering, delicate but not weak, complex but not complicated. It is a wine of great personality — a wine that proves Lumassina, when grown organically on century-old vines in the right soils and made with minimal intervention, can produce whites of both immediacy and profound depth, of both pleasure and intellectual challenge, of both simplicity and extraordinary complexity.
The Lumassina di Bosco is a wine of the table and the landscape — it pairs beautifully with pasta, shellfish, white meats, grilled fish, or simply with good bread and olive oil on a terrace overlooking the Ligurian hills. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. It will reward 2–3 years of careful cellaring, developing more honey, almond, and mineral complexity. Every bottle is a testament to the power of terraced terroir, the beauty of Lumassina, the wisdom of centuries-old vines, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land, the history, and the nearly lost varieties that make Italian viticulture so extraordinarily diverse. ~$22–$32 / ~€20–€30.
The Terrazze Singhie Range
Sara Polo and Mauro Migliavacca produce a small, organic, natural portfolio from their approximately 0.6-hectare, century-old vineyard in Orco Feglino, Liguria. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested (often in multiple passes), and made with indigenous yeasts. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. No fining, no filtration. Minimal or no sulfur. Fermented and aged in old oak or large wooden barrels — no stainless steel — chosen to allow gentle complexity without masking the delicate, floral, mineral character of the grapes. The portfolio includes two whites — each one a pure, honest expression of the terraced, forested terroir of Orco Feglino and the couple's commitment to organic viticulture, historical preservation, and minimal-intervention winemaking. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR. Availability is extremely limited due to the tiny scale of production.
Terrazze Singhie produces a small, organic, natural portfolio from approximately 0.6 hectares of century-old vineyard in Orco Feglino, Liguria. All wines are hand-harvested (often in multiple passes) and made with indigenous yeasts. No fining, no filtration, minimal or no sulfur. Aged exclusively in old oak or large wooden barrels — no stainless steel. The portfolio is focused and precious — Lumassina and Vermentino, expressing the terraced, forested character of the Savona interior. The estate is a project of rescue: reviving an old vineyard, safeguarding a nearly lost local grape variety (Lumassina, found in only three Savona valleys), maintaining ancient viticultural structures and terracing. Availability is extremely limited due to the tiny scale of production. Contact the winery directly or visit The Grape Reset, SelectioNaturel, Raisin, Vivino, and select natural wine retailers for availability. Visits by appointment.
Address and Contact Information
Vineyard: Località Castagnassi - Orco Feglino (Sv)
Cellar: Via Tommaseo 8 - Carcare (Sv)
Phone Numbers: +39 339 536 4835 or +39 380 899 6853
Email: info@terrazzesinghie.it