Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The 4 ha vineyard lies in the hills around Campobello di Licata, at 230–270 m above sea level, on limestone-rich soils. Planting density is 5,000 vines per hectare. The estate owns 30 ha south of Campobello di Licata, with vineyards forming a band 8 km from the coast. Daytime temperatures reach 35–40 °C, falling to 20–22 °C at night. Across the estate, Nero d’Avola occupies 60% of the vineyard area and Grillo 25%; the remaining 15% comprises smaller plots of Catarratto, Syrah, Insolia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay.
Vinification
Harvest begins in the first half of September. The bunches are hand-picked into small crates, then carefully sorted and destemmed at the winery. After gentle pressing, the must ferments for 18 days under continuous temperature control.
Ageing
The wine matures for around 15 months in 225 L French oak barrels, one third of them new, followed by 10–12 months in the cellar after bottling and before release.
Label / history
“Lusira” is the Sicilian dialect name for Syrah. The estate, in the province of Agrigento in southwestern Sicily, has been run by Angelo, Domenico and Carmelo Bonetta since the beginning of the new millennium. Their first harvest was in 2007, and the new company released its first wines in 2009. The 2010 vintage received a gold medal at the 2012 Challenge International du Vin in Bordeaux, France. In 2011, the winery received the Grand Prix in the Best New Winery category at the Vini di Sicilia competition.
