About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Chardonnay comes from Ulmo, Maroccoli and Monte Cirami in the district of Sambuca di Sicilia (AG), and is made at the Ulmo winery. Ulmo lies at 250 m above sea level, while Maroccoli and Monte Cirami reach 415 m. Ulmo has moderately deep, medium-textured soil, with plentiful pebbles at depth, moderate limestone content and areas of dark, organic-rich earth. The soils at Maroccoli and Monte Cirami are calcareous and slightly chalky, with medium-sized structure and abundant limestone sections.
The vineyards are trained on espalier systems and Guyot-pruned. Planting density is 4,545 vines/ha at Ulmo and 5,050 vines/ha at Maroccoli and Monte Cirami. Yields for the 2024 vintage were 60 q/ha at Ulmo and 70 q/ha at Maroccoli and Monte Cirami.
The certified-organic vineyards are managed under the SOStain® protocol. Clover, vetch, yellow mustard and spontaneous vegetation form ground cover that supplies organic matter and nitrogen while supporting soil microfauna. Vine health is protected with small quantities of sulphur and copper; beneficial insects, mating disruption, zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts are used against pests.
Grapes
100% Chardonnay.
Vinification
The 2024 grapes were harvested by hand into 16 kg crates between 16 and 28 August, then refrigerated to 12–14 °C. After destemming and crushing, they underwent gentle pressing and static settling at 6–7 °C. The clarified must was racked and fermented for 5–7 days in 225 L Allier oak barrels at approximately 17–19 °C.
Ageing
The wine remained on its primary lees in 225 L Allier oak barrels for 11 months. Bâtonnage was performed weekly during the first five months and every 14 days thereafter. The barrel mix comprised 40% new oak, 30% second-use barrels and 30% third-use barrels. Bottling took place in August 2025, using single-piece natural corks.
Technical data
The 2024 has 13% alcohol, total acidity of 5.50 g/L and a pH of 3.33. Available formats are 0.375 L, 0.75 L, 1.5 L and 3 L; the 0.75 L bottle weighs 750 g. The expected ageing capacity is 8–10 years. It is certified organic and SOStain®.
Tasting profile
The 2024 is pale gold, a colour associated with Chardonnay and barrel fermentation. Its aromas move between fine sweet oak and fruit, dairy, spice and wax notes: apricot, preserved peach, pink grapefruit, fresh milk, oriental spices, beeswax and thistle honey. The palate retains freshness, with the softness imparted by oak enveloping the mouth and a mineral nuance on the finish.
The broader house profile combines a deep yet transparent light-gold colour with contrasting creaminess and crispness. Ripe yellow peach, acacia honey and marzipan meet peaty, cereal and toasted nuances, supported by refreshing acidity and a powerful, balanced finish.
Serving and pairing
The multifaceted 2024 is intended for creative, contemporary pairings.
Vintage notes
The 2024 Sicilian harvest was small in quantity but excellent in quality. At Menfi, the white varieties were particularly defined and balanced, and the early-picked Chardonnay developed a notable aromatic profile. Organic vineyard management performed especially well under the dry conditions, producing sound grapes with minimal intervention.
Label / history
Development of the wine began in 1985, driven by the ambition to create a Sicilian Chardonnay capable of standing alongside international examples. The first commercial vintage was 1994, making the 2024 harvest its thirtieth. One bottle in each six-bottle case of the anniversary release carries a reproduction of Claire Fontaine’s 2023 artwork On Fire, part of the Planeta art collection housed in the Studiolo at Ulmo.
