Skip to main content

What is San Marco?

  • Cross of Vinifera (European grape species) Teroldego x Lagrein 
  • From the Foundation Edmund Mach (formerly the Istituto Agrario St Michele ad Adige) in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Northern Italy
  • Grape Breeder – Marco Stefanini in 1993
  • Known as IASMA ECO1 in Italy

Why is this grape variety of interest?

  • Similarities in climate region of Trentino-Alto Adige to New Jersey
  • Desire to examine potential new Italian varieties that might grow well and produce great wine in our region
  • Desire to improve sustainability of grape growing by choosing variety with some degree of fungal resistance

Timeline of San Marco to the United States

  • 2011-Initial visit of Larry Coia to the Foundation Edmund Mach 
  • 2012-Importation of vines to Foundation Plant services by Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association (OCPVA) supported by grants from USDA
  • 2015-2018 San Marco (ECO1) released from FPS to Rutgers and the OCPVA with Exclusive Sales license to OCPVA and OCPVA subcontract to Double A Vineyards
  • 2019-2022 The name San Marco is trademarked by the OCPVA and the Tax and Trade Bureau approves use of San Marco as a registered grape variety after petitioning by Bellview Winery.

Characteristics of San Marco

  • Better resistance to botrytis than most vinifera
  • High yield and high quality possible even with above average rainfall
  • Deep color with high polyphenol and anthocyanin levels 
  • Complex wines, great as single variety or for blending and can age well