About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes grow on warm, sun-soaked slopes in central and western Sicily, at elevations of 150–400 metres. The vineyards have mixed soils. Vines are trained on vertical trellises at a planting density of 4,500 vines per hectare. The island climate brings mild winters and hot, dry summers.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested at full ripeness between the second and fourth weeks of September. They are gently pressed in a horizontal press fitted with a membrane filter, yielding must equivalent to less than 60% of the fruit's total weight. Cold fermentation takes place under temperature control at no more than 17 °C. The wine is then held at a controlled temperature until it clarifies naturally.
Ageing
After bottling, the wine rests for at least two months in cool cellars.
Label / history
The first bottle was released almost 200 years ago.
