Growing Conditions
Fossa di Lupo: Another historical contrada and backbone of my work since 2004. The soils are sandy with shades that go from red to chestnut brown and with a substantial presence of limestone rocks on the surface. After the rst 40 cm of sand, we arrive at a layer of solid, hard limestone. The vines were planted in albarello: the typical training system with planting distances traditional of the Vittoria area. This contrada faces the Hyblaean Mountains at northeast; from here the wines typically originate as fruity but also austere, presenting great acidity.
Winemaking
Our work in the vineyards is an endless source of inspiration through observation. In particular, during the last few years, I have not only been focused on the splendid varieties of Frappato di Vittoria and Nero D’Avola, but also on the soil and on the potential of the various districts or contrade of Vittoria and their in uence on the wines.
I have realized that the vineyards play on this game of sand and limestone; presenting themselves in the wines with fresh fruit and silkiness from one side, but also with great acidity and energy on the other. During vini cation, I work to preserve these elements whilst considering every vineyard in the back of my mind. This continuous research has been helpful to identify four vineyards for the SP68 between Santa Teresa, Bastonaca, Spedalotto e Bombolieri, two vineyards for the Frappato, Bastonaca and Fossa di Lupo; and two for the Siccagno, Bombolieri and Fossa di Lupo.
The same exploration motivated me to go further, thinking about the concept: one vineyard - one wine. Or better yet, three wines.
Frappato, our long historical variety of Vittoria, to which I am particularly attached to since the beginning of my path, can present itself as delicate, austere, and bloody. In any case, I would like Frappato to be considered as an instrument available to transmit the terroir, and not the sole purpose. Only what we tread, smell, perceive around us every day, goes straight into the wines. That is our purpose.
