Cooperativa Mussura

Mussura is a community-based agricultural cooperative founded in Seneghe, in central-western Sardinia, at the foothills of Montiferru.

Our project was born during the pandemic, when, becoming aware of the state of abandonment of the territory, we felt the need to recover some of the village’s historic vineyards.

We are a group of young men and women with different backgrounds. Many of us studied or worked outside the island and chose to return and commit ourselves to our land. In this spontaneous form of collaboration, we became aware of our potential, of the human value of the group, and of a shared intention to dedicate ourselves to our territory.

Over time, we became convinced that creating a cooperative enterprise—where wine is the starting point for the sustainable development of the area—was the right way to live in and help revive our village. Mussura was founded with the aim of strengthening the local community and enhancing each member’s skills.

Being a community cooperative allows us to work flexibly with vineyard owners and to build collaborations and positive relationships with other local producers and associations.

The cooperative operates by enhancing the specific characteristics of each vineyard, respecting the choices made by previous growers rather than altering them. Every vineyard has its own story, and for us diversity is not a limitation but an added value and a legacy to carry forward. Traditional family vineyards have always been the result of each grower’s creativity—a space for experimentation and a rich heritage of cultivars and characteristics, which Mussura seeks to harmonise according to the wines produced.

We are aware that our territory expresses needs, visions and untapped potential, as well as gaps that can be connected and developed. Our project aims to be a positive example of local development, showing that it is possible to create initiatives that enhance human, environmental and cultural resources, while generating income and reasons to stay.

The vineyards managed by the cooperative are mainly located in the hilly area around Seneghe, between 300 and 500 metres above sea level, on predominantly acidic and volcanic soils. These are small, family-owned plots, highly fragmented, where manual work is essential. This approach helps preserve the ecosystem balance and contributes to wines with a strong character. Vineyard practices are carried out with the lowest possible environmental impact, adapting to the specific training systems and technical features of each plot.

Although the vineyards differ significantly from one another, we use almost exclusively organic-based products such as plant extracts. Only in vineyards already in full production we apply limited mineral treatments, such as potassium bicarbonate and sulphur, in small quantities. Mechanical work is minimal and limited to light machinery in the wider vineyard layouts.

This approach continues in the cellar, where we avoid external inputs as much as possible, interpreting wine as an encounter between humans and nature. We intervene by carefully managing timing and temperatures during macerations, alcoholic and malolactic fermentations, static settling and racking. We do not filter, fine or acidify.

Our wines are meant to reflect our territory, our culture, our identity and our vision. For this reason, we do not aim to standardise them according to common tastes or parameters, but rather accompany their evolution so they can fully express their uniqueness and drinkability.