The Santa Maria grape variety is a white-skinned variety found in the Colli Piacentini DOC, particularly in the “Vin Santo” and “Vin Santo di Vigoleno” versions, where it is the main component alongside the equally little-known Melara grape variety. It has been listed in the National Register of Wine Grape Varieties since 1999 and is an authorized variety for Emilia-Romagna.

From an ampelographic perspective, the Santa Maria grape has small, pentagonal, five-lobed leaves. Its cluster is small, cylindrical or truncated-conical, short, and moderately compact, with medium-sized berries that have green-yellow skins, firm pulp, and a neutral flavor.

The Colli Piacentini Vin Santo di Vigoleno, also produced with Santa Maria grapes, is one of the most appreciated sweet wines of Emilia. It has a color ranging from golden to more or less intense amber. Its aroma is intense, pleasant, fine, delicate, and characteristic, with a pleasantly sweet flavor of dried grapes, harmonious, full-bodied, and velvety.