Clos Canarelli

Founded in 1968, this family-owned estate is close to the remote village of Tarabucetta, outside of Figari on the southern tip of Corsica. In 1993, it was taken over by Yves Canarelli, a former economics student who became a passionate winemaker. He embodies both a visionary spirit and a deep respect for the island’s traditions. Since his arrival, he has established himself as one of the most ardent advocates of native Corsican grape varieties, patiently replanting ancestral varieties to restore Figari’s original identity and historic prestige. The cradle of Corsican viticulture since the 5th century BCE, Figari is a rugged and fascinating terroir. Its plateau swept by sea winds, its red granite and alluvial soils, and its proximity to the cliffs of Bonifacio allow Yves to craft powerful, distinguished wines of remarkable finesse. His commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture—certified since 2002 and 2006—has allowed Clos Canarelli to reveal a freshness and aromatic intensity unique to Figari. Manual labor, absolute respect for the soil and the vine, the exclusive use of indigenous yeasts, and slow, natural winemaking give rise to wines of rare precision. Intuitive and thoughtful, Yves is constantly exploring: oval cement tanks, whole-cluster fermentation, unfiltered reds… Each of his choices aims to express the energy of the terroir with purity. Today, Clos Canarelli produces some fifteen cuvées, some from blends, others from single plots, all marked by an elegance and depth that are the estate’s signature. Few winemakers manage to achieve such a balance between power, minerality, and finesse. Yves Canarelli’s wines are more than just bottles: they are living testaments to Figari, shaped by the wind, the rock, tradition, and a resolutely modern vision of Corsican wine.