According to Greek mythology, trees with golden fruits grew abundant in the legendary garden of the Hesperides, which was donated to Zeus by the goddess Gaea.
Walking through the Sardinian countryside, in the land that surrounds Siniscola, you come across places with an equally legendary and almost “magical” atmosphere. These are the gardens of sa pompia in Siniscola, whose trees full of golden fruits recall the myth of the Hesperides. Never having heard of Sardinian pompia is common given that these particular fruits only grow in some areas of Sardinia and have a high market price due to their rarity. Indeed, pompia is one of the rarest fruits in the world. To be precise, you will only find these fruits in the Baronia and Barbagia areas of Nuoro. The pompia of Siniscola (in Sardinian language sa pompìa) is an ancient endemic variety of lemon, of which the first cultivation on the island dates back to the 1700s.
It is considered one of the rarest among the lesser-known citrus fruits. It is highlighted in the Slow Food events, as well as in the famous Salone del Gusto and other fairs dedicated to quality food and wine products.
A topic of controversy among scholars is whether to consider it a hybrid between cedar and lemon or cedar and grapefruit. The most accredited theory, however, is that of a professor originally from Corsica. This professor, through his studies on the genetic characteristics of citrus fruits, found that the Siniscola pompia is the official daughter of cedar and bitter orange. From these lineages it is considered to have inherited its main characteristics: its color, its lumpy appearance, and the texture of its skin.
It has a porous appearance and a flavor somewhere between sweet and sour with a bitter aftertaste. The fruit is not eaten raw, however, but must be transformed to appreciate its qualities. Sa pompia sarda is used to produce all pompia liqueur, jam and sweets, among which includes the famous candied pompia that is traditionally for weddings celebrated in Siniscola.
Pompia liqueur, an excellent alternative to the traditional myrtle liqueur of Sardinia, is a digestive prepared with the peels of the pomia fruit, water, alcohol and sugar. Like all artisanal liqueurs, it requires a long preparation, but it is well worth the wait for a taste of this unique Sardinian DOC product.
Well acquainted with the characteristics of the Siniscola pompia, Giovanni Ladu is the owner of Giovanni Landu Farm, which has been producing delicacies based on the “golden apples of Sardinia” for several years. From his grandparents, who were local farmers and breeders, he inherited hectares of land between the towns of Siniscola, Posada and Torpè. These are the same lands on which Giovanni Ladu Farm stands today. It all started in 2017 when he first attributed specific crops to each plot of land. He intensely studied the lands to make them productive and to develop his multifunctional business which now includes vineyards, olive groves, gardens of fragrant Sardinian pompia in addition to cattle breeding.
Among the company’s various activities, their wine production particularly stands. Giovanni Ladu’s vineyards in Siniscola are located on lands that overlook the sea, a position which enriches the wine with the scent of salty air and the aromas of the characteristic Mediterranean scrub.
The harvest is always done by hand and the grapes alway transformed according to tradition, imbuing these wines with the vitality and love felt for the territory. The winery currently produces a Vermentino di Sardegna DOC white wine and a Cannonau di Sardegna DOC red wine.
