The most famous wine families in Sicily

Sicily – an Italian island bathed in the Mediterranean sun, beautiful and hot, famous as the cradle of the mafia and the homeland of the best Italian wines. Traditions and customs are of great importance on this volcanic island. The history of viticulture and the production of this alcohol dates back to ancient Greece. Regardless of whether Sicily was ruled by the Greeks, Romans or French at a given historical moment, wine customs were passed down from parents to children and no historical perturbations have shaken the local customs. This is how some of the oldest wineries in Europe were created. The most famous wine families in Sicily to this day they produce some of the most appreciated wines.

Foto: pixabay.com

The most famous wine families in Sicily – from tradition to modernity

For many years, Sicily was the most important wine region in Italy, and many families were involved in wine production. After a period in the 1980s and 1990s, when the quality of production decreased, Italian wines, especially Sicilian ones, began to enjoy recognition again, and are now producers of high and appreciated wines with a unique taste and aroma.

It is worth taking a closer look at the current market and finding the most famous wine families in Sicily to see the specificity of the island wine market and appreciate the huge tradition and experience in wine production. When it comes to wines, it’s also worth getting to know them the most expensive champagne in the world.

The most famous Sicilian wineries

Sicily is famous for its sun, eulcan and wine mafia. The island’s wine families are almost as criminal as the mafia ones, and their achievements in the production of this drink are appreciated all over the world.

The most famous wineries in Sicily – tradition and modernity. Each of them is run by families with great traditions in wine production. The most important among them are:

Foto: pixabay.com

• Planet Wines
• Donnafugata. 
• Cusumano.
• Tasca d’Almerita
• Benanti

Among these families with winemaking traditions, let’s take a look at three of the most famous wine producers, their history and achievements. It is mainly thanks to them that Sicilian wines regained their former reputation and became once again appreciated and desired by connoisseurs of this drink. At the same time, it is also worth considering why serve alcohol.

Planeta Winery

Foto: pixabay.com

If we consider the most famous wine families in Sicily, we cannot forget about the Planeta family. The Planeta winery is an excellent producer from Sicily, which has gained the recognition of connoisseurs from all over the world. This is the fascinating story of a family venture that began with the dream of promoting Sicilian wines on the world stage.

Planeta is a surname with a long history in Sicily. Diego Planeta, one of the founders of the winery, has Spanish roots, but his family has been present in Sicily since the 16th century. This history provided a solid foundation for the family’s passion and commitment to wine production.

The Planeta winery began its operation in 1990 with the determination to show the world that Sicily has much more to offer than low-quality wines. Their goal was to create drinks that would be appreciated by wine lovers around the world.

The key success of the winery is not only the commitment of the Planeta family, but also the excellent quality and taste of the wines. When Diego was still working at the Settesoli wine cooperative, he tested over 60 different grape varieties to select those with exceptional taste and potential. As a result, local varieties such as chardonnay, syrah and merlot were created, which became Planeta’s flagship products.

Planeta has 363 hectares of vineyards in various locations in Sicily, each with its own unique history and character. Italy is not only wine and pizza, other Italian inspirations.

Cusumano

Foto: pixabay.com

The brothers Alberto and Diego Cusumano are figures who are part of the history of Sicilian winemaking as the creators of the Cusumano brand. Their passion and determination resulted in the creation of an innovative and recognized winery.

In 2001, the brothers decided, together with oenologist Mario Ronco, to take up the challenge and launch the Cusumano brand. Their goal was to show the richness of Sicily as a land of contrasts that has the potential to produce unique wines. When creating wines, they are guided by the idea of ​​harmony between tradition and modernity, as well as respect for Sicilian customs. The Cusano family must be mentioned when choosing the most famous wine families in Sicily.

Cusumano Vineyards

Cusumano has vineyards spread over different regions of Sicily, with each location having a unique climate and soil. The Ficuzza vineyard in Piana degli Albanesi, located at an altitude of 700-800 m above sea level, offers excellent conditions for growing varieties such as Inzolia, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, used to produce wines such as Ramusa, Jalé, Cubìa and Angimbé.

Presti e Pegni in Monreale, on hills with clay soil, creates excellent conditions for growing the Nero d’Avola and Syrah varieties, which produce the wonderful Benuara wine. San Giacomo in Butera has limestone soils trives Nero d’Avola, used to produce Sàgana wine.

In April 2013, the Cusumano family acquired land on the northern slope of Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, which resulted in the Alta Mora project. This winery focuses on producing wine from the Etna region, where the grapes grow on volcanic soils at an altitude of 800-1000 m above sea level.

Cusumano is also an example of a manufacturer who cares about the aesthetics of bottles and labels. Glass stoppers and modern label design are an important element of the company’s marketing, as is consistent attention to product quality.

Foto: pixabay.com

Benanti

The history and philosophy of the Benanti winery are a fascinating example of combining tradition with modernity and commitment to the production of exceptional wines in Sicily. Founded by Giuseppe Benanti in 1988, this winery has become a symbol of respect for the local grape varieties and the unique terroir of the Etna region.

The history of Benanti began with the family’s passion and tradition in wine production, but it was Giuseppe Benanti who transformed it into a professional enterprise that appreciated the potential of the volcanic slopes of Etna and Ethnic varieties. The climate of the Benanti vineyard is unusual due to its volcanic soil and exceptional exposure to the sun. The vineyard is located in different DOC areas of Etna, which allows the production of wines from native varieties: nerello mascalese, carricante, nerello cappuccio and minnella. When mentioning the most famous wine families in Sicily, we cannot forget about the creators of “slow” wine.

“Slow” wine

One of the key elements that distinguishes Benanti is its approach to the production of “slow wine”. The production process is unhurried, full of attention and care, and the goal is to obtain wines of the highest quality. Attachment to tradition, respect for terroir and dedication to quality are the foundations of Benanti’s business.

The Benanti winery enjoys a reputation both as an iconic Sicilian producer and as a pioneer that sets high standards for winemaking. You can choose the perfect food to pair with your wine. Served accordingly pledge with a glass of wine will ensure an unforgettable evening.

What makes Sicilian wines special?

• Volcanic terroir:
  • Sicily is one of the most volcanic places in the world, and fertile soil is one of the key elements of Sicilian agriculture.
• Climate Variety:
  • Sicily has a diverse climate, from subtropical on the coast to cooler and mountainous around Mount Etna.
  • The climate affects differences in the taste and aroma of wines.
• Local grape varieties:
  • Sicily is home to many unique grape varieties, such as Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Carricante and Grillo.
  • Autochthonous strains give wines a unique character and taste.
• Sun:
  • The high amount of sun in Sicily favors the ripening of the grapes, which translates into the sweetness and richness of the taste of the wines.
  • Sunny exposures also affect the intensity of the color of wines.
• Traditions:
  • Sicily has a long history of viticulture, dating back to the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
  • These traditions influence winemaking methods that have been preserved for centuries. By the way, it is worth paying attention to other products with an interesting history, such as: caviar.
• Culture and gastronomy:
  • Sicily is a region with a rich culinary culture, where wine plays an important role with food.
  • Wines from Sicily go perfectly with local dishes such as pasta, seafood and cheese.
• Strong and dessert wines:
  • Sicilian wines are famous for their high alcohol content and intense flavors, especially in the case of red wines.
  • Marsala dessert wine is another Sicilian specialty, known all over the world.
• Innovation and Contemporary:
  • In recent years, winemakers in Sicily have been investing in modern technologies and wine production techniques.
  • This innovation contributes to the creation of increasingly higher quality wines

Sicilian wines certainly stand out on the market and are an interesting proposition for lovers of this drink. And here are some tips for whiskey fans.

photo source: pixabay.com