About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Chardonnay comes from Ulmo, Maroccoli and Monte Cirami in Sambuca di Sicilia, in the province of Agrigento. Ulmo lies at 250 m above sea level, while Maroccoli and Monte Cirami reach 415 m. Ulmo has moderately deep to deep, medium-textured soil with abundant pebbles, moderate limestone and dark, organic-rich fractions. The soils at Maroccoli and Monte Cirami are calcareous and slightly chalky, with medium-sized stones and abundant silty fractions.
The vines 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. Corresponding yields are 60 and 70 quintals per hectare.
The vineyards follow organic farming principles and the SOStain® protocol. Clover, vetch, yellow mustard and spontaneous vegetation provide ground cover, increasing organic matter and nitrogen while supporting soil microfauna. Vineyard protection employs limited quantities of sulphur and copper, beneficial insects, mating disruption, and natural products including zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts. The wine is certified organic and SOStain®.
Grapes
100% Chardonnay.
Vinification
For the 2024 vintage, harvesting took place by hand from 16 to 28 August, using 16 kg crates. The grapes were chilled to 12–14 °C, destemmed, crushed and softly pressed. The must underwent static settling at 6–7 °C before the clear portion was racked and fermented in 225 L Allier oak barrels at approximately 17–19 °C for 5–7 days.
Ageing
The wine remained on its primary lees until completing eleven months in barrel. Bâtonnage was performed weekly during the first five months and then every 14 days. Maturation took place in 225 L Allier oak barrels: 40% new, 30% second-use and 30% third-use. The 2024 vintage was bottled in August 2025 with a one-piece natural cork.
Technical data
- Alcohol: 13% vol.
- Total acidity: 5.50 g/L
- pH: 3.33
- Ageing capacity: 8–10 years
- Formats: 0.375 L, 0.75 L, 1.5 L and 3 L
- Weight of the 0.75 L bottle: 750 g
Tasting profile
The 2024 Chardonnay is pale gold, a colour associated with the variety and its fermentation in wood. Sweet, fine-oak tones frame rather than obscure aromas of apricot, preserved peach, pink grapefruit, fresh milk, oriental spices, beeswax and thistle honey. The palate combines freshness with enveloping oak-derived softness and closes on a mineral accent.
The broader house profile emphasizes a deep yet transparent light-gold colour and a contrast between creaminess and crispness. Ripe yellow peach, acacia honey and marzipan meet peaty, cereal and toasted nuances, with refreshing acidity and a powerful, balanced finish.
Serving and pairing
Its layered profile is intended for creative, contemporary food pairings.
Vintage notes
The 2024 Sicilian harvest was small in volume but excellent in quality. At Menfi, the white wines were defined and balanced, and the early-picked Chardonnay showed a particularly attractive aromatic profile. Organic vineyard management performed especially well under the dry conditions, delivering healthy grapes.
Label / history
The project began in 1985 from an ambition to produce a Sicilian expression of Chardonnay capable of competing internationally; the first commercial vintage was 1994. The 2024 harvest marked its thirtieth anniversary. For the anniversary release, one bottle in each six-bottle case carries a reproduction of Claire Fontaine's 2023 artwork On Fire, part of Planeta's art collection at the Studiolo in Ulmo. The celebration is also connected through the theme of fire to A Long and Magnificent Walk, an itinerary in the rural landscape of the Selinunte Archaeological Park curated by Professor Giuseppe Barbera.
