I Vigneri di Salvo Foti "Vinudilice" Vino Rosato, Sicily, Italy 2023

FROM LOUIS/DRESSNER:

THE WINE: A blend of Alicante, Grecanico, Minella, and others. Vinudilice translates to "Wine of the holm oak forest" in Sicilian dialect. The grapes come from the Bosco vineyard and are cultivated by hand and mule. The parcel is an ancient field blend of at least 10 red and white grapes. It is the only vineyard in the area, located in a wild and uncontaminated area rich in biodiversity.

THE PRODUCER: When you speak about the wines of eastern Sicily and especially the wines from the soils of Mount Etna, Sicily’s famous, majestic volcano, it is impossible to not mention the name Salvo Foti. A native of the city of Catania, Salvo studied enology and began his career in 1981 as a technical and agrarian advisor to noted estates that today are universally recognized amongst the best in Sicily. But it is still working with and for someone else; Salvo wanted his own project to really make a wine that sings. A number of years ago, Salvo’s love of the grapes and soils of Etna led him to initiate a project called I Vigneri. It takes its name from an association that existed in the Etna region in 1435, Maestranzi dei Vigneri, an association of vineyard workers that greatly influenced the wine culture of the region. Today, I Vigneri is an association between Salvo Foti, local vine experts and grape growers who bring their long experience among the particular vines of to their work in the vineyard and cellar.