Growing Conditions
Pettineo: This historic contrada, a term used to refer a small district of the countryside, is located beyond Serra San Bartolo ridge; historically it has always produced very elegant wines thanks to a deep layer of marine sand (50-60 cm), with little presence of limestone rocks on the surface. Our Chiusa di Pettineo vines are nearly 60 years olds. Originally planted in a head trained or albarello system from which the previous owner then transformed into a trellised system, now with the vines climbing between the trellises into monumental heights. The wines of the Pettineo are usually fruit-driven with a more silky tannin yet possessing quite lively 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.
