Capo Milazzo

VITTORIA NOTO MENFI CAPPARRINA ETNA CAPO MILAZZO
Here we are then, sitting in the shade, looking at the sea and the promontory of Milazzo, which on our left rises out of the sea, in the shape of a spur. As Messina has its scythe, so Milazzo has its spur or its spear. In no other country as in Sicily does the coast delight in rocky formations and little bays which are so strange and capricious as well as picturesque.
Carl August Schneegans
Baronia

Baronia

La Baronia is the smallest of our estates – 8 hectares of vineyard, surrounded by 20 hectares of ancient olive grove – but it is full of meanings, of memories and ideas. We began this new project with the idea of restoring the production of Mamertino, among the oldest wines of the island. Production of Mamertino dates back to 289 B.C., supplied by the Mamertini who helped Julius Caesar to appreciate its quality, to the extent that he offered it on the occasion of the banquet for his third consulate and mentioned it in ‘De Bello Gallico’, and to Pliny who placed it in 4th position in his famous classification of 195 wines. All began with a meeting with the Fondazione Lucifero, owners of this magnificent and historic land, where agriculture had deteriorated since 2011 and was by then almost completely abandoned. Together we began working towards restoration of a culture and a biodiversity which would otherwise have been lost; where before there was only undergrowth, now there are new vines bordered by delightful natural footpaths. Today this project is the symbol of our idea of sustainable viticulture, not only from the point of view of cultivation and production, but also from environmental, cultural, social and economic aspects.

Vineyards

8 hectares

4 hectares of vines are already productive with respect to the regulations of the Doc Mamertino (60% Nero d’Avola, 40% Nocera). In the remainder we have introduced, experimentally and for research, three ancient varieties; Vitraruolo, Lucignola and Catanese Nera.

We have chosen systems of viticulture in keeping with the territory, using training systems typical of marine areas like the supported alborello, and without irrigation.

Training system: espalier, spurred cordon, guyot

Planting density: 5,000 vines per hectare

Following the regulations of the DOC Mamertino, which require a Nero d’Avola content equivalent to 60%, we have also planted the most important Sicilian red grape vine here, experimenting with it – after those of the south-west and south-east of the island – to produce still another interpretation dependent on the territory.

Training system: espalier, spurred cordon, guyot

Planting density: 5,000 vines per hectare

Among the oldest in Sicily this variety is typical of the territory of the province of Messina and has always been used, to the extent of about 40%, in the blend comprising the esteemed Mamertino. We are also discovering,from year to year, its surprising characteristics of elegance and structure.

Winery

After the Invisible Winery at Noto and with the same desire for a discrete presence, we thought of a ‘Removable Winery’ for Capo Milazzo; it is a symbol of our project for this territory, directed towards integral sustainability.

We built the new winery, with a view of the sea, being guided as always by the criteria of cutting edge architecture, by eco-sustainability and by the need for minimum impact on the landscape.

The weight-bearing structure is small and light, of metal and stone, aimed at being temporary, entirely removable and portable without damaging the territory.

Tasting Planeta

The Doc which safeguards Mamertino had as yet found few exponents and was practically extinct, and for this we were enthused by the idea of taking up the challenge of reclaiming this precious wine. The project at Capo Milazzo arose exclusively from this wish and we believe that our production will represent 35% of the total of the Doc. Our first bottle will arrive for the 2015 vintage, but in 2014 we had already produced some Nero d’Avola Nocera by way of experiment.
Discover their characteristics as a real tasting journey
Mamertino
Mamertino D.O.C.
60% Nero d’Avola, 40% Nocera

A denomination arising from the depths of antiquity, when the proud people of the Mamertini produced this wine, described by …

Wine card
Nocera
Sicilia D.O.C.
100% Nocera

This noble vine is cultivated on just a few hectares in the province of Messina, facing the sea and of …

Wine card

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