AGRO TRAPANESE, INTO THE HEART OF SICILIAN WINEMAKING

There are numerous nature reserves, which invite you to listen to the silence to discover the most intimate essence of this land: from Monte Cofano to Pantelleria, from the Stagnone of Marsala to the Zingaro, from Alcamo Wood to the Santa Ninfa Cave.

Unique places of untouched nature, flanked by the historical beauty of the territory, a treasure chest of some of the most beautiful archaeological sites on the island. The province of Trapani was inhabited from ancient times by Elymians, Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans. Its position in the Mediterranean, the mild climate and the generous nature made this territory a perfect place for their settlements.

For this reason, today it is possible to visit their traces. We only need to mention the Sesi in Pantelleria, Segesta and Erice built by the Elymians. Also the splendid Mothia, a vast archaeological area where you can admire the remains of the ancient and flourishing Phoenician civilization that flourished there. And in Marsala the evidence of the presence of the Romans and their struggle with the Carthaginians can be seen. We are in the presence of a land of many riches, of which the landscape and the terrain, dedicated to the cultivation of the vine are shining examples.

Here in fact the intense light, the dry and arid climate, the fresh soils, the winds coming from the south and the strong temperature range, create the ideal conditions for the production of quality wines. Area by area, the Pellegrino has identified the territories most suited to the cultivation of the vine and, zone by zone, the most suitable cultivars, to exalt and express the best of the terroir of origin, to offer to wine-lovers to show them authentic essence of Sicily.

Here, from the coast to the hinterland, in different areas, the native Sicilian vines and the international vines that have been able to best adapt to this land are cultivated.

The terrains differ area by area but all enjoy conditions which are particularly favourable to the cultivation of the vine. Several variables contribute to creating the particular pedoclimatic context of the coastal strip. First among them is the temperature which is strongly affected by the sea and its mitigating action.

The temperature change between day and night has an influence on the plant, in particular on the synthesis of aromatic vines, such as zibibbo and malvasia. The limestone soils give a high vigour to the vines and a good leaf coverage of the bunches. In addition the sweet sea air gives the grapes grown along the coastal strip the right verve to become wines of great finesse, aroma and flavour.

Depending on the temperature conditions that occur during the ripening of the grapes, the year may be dry or fresh, hot or humid. But it is always capable of giving different and extremely complex wines of great charm. Here, in the heart of the Trapani countryside, the pedoclimatic conditions have always been favourable for viticulture. In these areas, in fact, the great native Sicilian vines cricket, inzolia, catarratto, grecanico, nero d’avola, frappato and nerello mascalese are grown, in addition to the international vines that best express the essence of Sicily, such as syrah and chardonnay.

The terrains, located on a hilly area with altitudes from 80 to 300 metres above sea level, varies from carbonate-sandy to salty and clayey through a myriad of textures, chemical compositions and deposits. Compared to those of the coastal strip, they therefore tend to induce greater thermal and water stress conditions on plants and the grapes coming from these vineyards, give wines with a higher concentration of alcohol, acidity and polyphenols. The strong temperature changes between day and night, the changing characteristics of the soil, the exposure; these are all characteristics of distinctive terroir that give different shades of style traceable in each and every wine.