Traveling Sicily’s Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Wine Trail

A recent trip to Sicily to attend the 2025 edition of Sicilia en Primeur provided me the opportunity to visit Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG a region long on my wine bucket list. This region is a designated UNESCO heritage site that takes visitors through the coast of southern Italy near the Mediterranean Sea through fertile farmland and historic cities filled with Baroque architecture and cultural significance.

For context, the key cities to visit in this area include Modica, Ragusa and Vittoria. Much of Sicily’s, agricultural bounty is cultivated here, including tomatoes, eggplant, citrus fruits, cocoa beans, carob, and both table and wine grapes.  Modica chocolate, Ragusano cheese, Vittoria tomatoes, orange marmalade and olive oil are just a few signature products to try. Classic dishes include Pasta alla Norma, caponata and eggplant timbale. I had the chance to taste several homemade versions during winery visits. The only thing more prolific than fabulous food, wine and culture in Sicily is the hospitality.

Founded in 1607 by the Countess Colonna Henriquez-Cabrera, Vittoria is a city of elegant Baroque architecture that underscores its wealth and careful preservation after several buildings were damaged in the earthquake of January 11, 1693.  It was the Countess who gave each of the first 75 settlers one hectare of land on the condition that they cultivate another hectare of vineyards, thus spawning what has become a distinctive and prosperous wine industry. An interesting fact we were told during our guided tour of Vittoria is that grape growers were also exempt from the taxes levied on other farmers.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily’s first (and currently only) DOCG wine (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), established in 2005. Previously it had attained DOC status in 1973. These wines can only be produced in the Ragusa, Catania and Caltanissetta zones in southeastern Sicily. To be designated Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG, wines may only be produced in the “Classico” subzone vineyards of Acate, Comiso and Vittoria

The area’s main white grapes are Grillo and, to a lesser extent, Cattarato, Inzolia and even a little Viognier. The white blends are aromatic with a hint of salinity, a nod to the region’s proximity to the sea.

Vittoria’s reds Frappato and Nero d’Avola are the star varieties. Frappato Vittoria DOC is a light bodied red wine with ripe strawberries and cherries. It’s an easy drinking wine with low tannins, refreshing on the palate. Many have likened Frappato to the Sicilian version of Gamay, another easy drinking fruity red. Enjoy this wine chilled with pizzas, salads, light meats and lighter pastas.

Nero d’Avola IGT Terre Siciliane is a spicy, earthy full-bodied wine that delivers more plush plum, blackberry, pepper, clove and violets and orange zest on the palate. It has often been compared to Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Nero d’Avola is grown in other regions of Sicilia and is named for the town of Avola in the southeastern corner of Sicily. In Sicilian dialect the grape is also known as “Calabrese.” This wine pairs beautifully with meats and Sicily’s numerous eggplant -tomato dishes.

Marry Frappato and Nero d’Avola and you have Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. In this wine, dark cherry meets dark plum and blackberry with a hint of spice and delivers a distinctly different and appealing palate experience. Being a DOCG wine, Cerasuolo di Vittoria must adhere to struct rules for production. Wines must be comprised of 50% to 70% Nero d’Avola and 30% to 50% Frappato and aged a minimum of 18 months.

Cerasuolo means “cherry red” in Italian. The color red is also a distinguishing characteristic of the terra rossa soils of Vittoria which have a profound impact on the character of these wines. The soils produce a thick layer of reddish-brown sand mixed with clay covering deep white limestone rock. The fertile terra rossa soils are rich in minerals, including iron which creates the reddish hue, and have a high alkaline pH. The limestone formations require the vines’ roots to penetrate deep to find water and nourishment.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria should not be confused with Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. Cerasuolo di Vittoria is a red DOCG wine exclusively produced in one region of southeastern Sicily. Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a fragrant deep crimson rosato made from the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grape grown in Abruzzo. Each are distinctive Italian wines made from indigenous red varieties unique to their respective regions.

My tour included visits to six producers on the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG wine trail, designed to spotlight the region. Wine tourism is a growing focus in Sicily as well as other parts of Italy, and many producers have agritourismos (wine + hotel accommodations) The producers I visited are all members of the Consortium for the protection of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and Vittoria DOC.

Terre di Giurfo

Terre di Giufro was founded in 2001 by Achille Alessi and his wife, Giuseppina Giusino, on land that has been in the Giusino family for over 200 years. The vineyards encompass 90 hectares and are all organic. Terre di Giufro produces both Sicilia DOC and Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG wines.

Recommended wines:

Belsito Frappato 2025 DOC Vittoria, aged in stainless, a super fresh and crisp red, delivering notes of wild strawberries and blackberries.

Maskaria Barricato 2017 Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, this fuller bodied wine is aged 8 months in tonneau and delivers notes of raspberries, blackberries, cacao and almond.

Kudyah Nero d’Avola 2020 DOC Sicilia, a lush, full-bodied with notes of blackberry, licorice, tomato leaf and fennel.

General information: Terre di Giurfo – Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Wine tourism: Wine tourism – Visit and Discover Terre di Giurfo

 

 

 

Maggio Vini/Vigna di Pettineo

Founded by the Maggio family, Vigna di Pettineo, is located among the most renowned districts of the Classic area of production of Cerasuolo di Vittoria D.O.C.G. Patriarch Massimo Maggio sought to create cru wines recognized by their terroir. There is also an agritourismo on the property with nine apartments

Recommended wines:

Vigna di Pettineo 2024 DOC Frappato, a burst of fresh strawberries

Vigna di Pettinero 2021 Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Classico produced from 40-year-old vines. 50-50 blend of Frappato and Nero d’Avola. A classic Cerasuolo with dark cherry, blackberry and spice notes.

Amongae Riserva 2022 DOC Sicilia, a blend of 60% Nero d’Avola, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot sourced from 20-25 year-old-vines, with grapes vinified separately and then blended. This wine is aged 14 months in barrique and 12 months in bottle. It delivers firm tannins and notes of blueberry red currant, blackberry, licorice and leather. It is the ideal wine for fans of bold California Napa Cab blends.

General information:  www.vignadipettineo.com

Santa Tresa and Azienda Agricola Cortese

Santa Tresa is a historic estate dating back to 1697 surrounded by vineyards characterized by their red sandy soil on a well-drained limestone base. Siblings Stefano and Marina Girelli are current owners of this winery and a smaller estate eight kilometers away called Azienda Agricola Cortese. Production is predominantly Frappato and Nero d’Avola, Grillo and some Viognier. Santa Tresa also cultivates small plots of two ancient Sicilian grapes: Albanella, an aromatic white, and Orisi, a cross between Sangiovese and Montonico Bianco.

Our wine tasting was accompanied by lunch prepared by Chef Salvatore Monsu, whose owns a restaurant by the same name in Ragusa. If you have time, do stop by Ristorante Monsu. Our lunch was fabulous, especially the sardine terrine with wild fennel with roasted red pepper and orange reduction served in an actual sardine can.

Recommended wines:

Insieme Bianco Terre 2024 Terre Siciliane IGT, an aromatic blend of Albanello and Zibbibo (Muscat d’Alexandra) and Fiano that delivers notes of peach, melon and spring wildflowers.

Santa Tresa Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG, 60% Nero d’Avola, 40% Frappato. This is an elegant wine delivering notes black raspberry. wild strawberry, and spice.

“O” Orisi Rosso Terre Siciliane IGT, a dense red wine made from the ancient Orisi variety.

Info: Santa Tresa Wines – Sicilian Organic Wines
U.S. Importer: Vias Imports

Valle dell’Acate

This historic winery was founded by Gaetano Jacono in the 19th century and is now run by his daughter and 6th generation family member, Gaetana Jacono, who has spearheaded its growth. Valle dell’Acate is situated in Cerasuolo Classico Acate subzone. This wine estate has 70 hectares with a diversity of soils, seven to be exact, one for each varietal according to Gaetana. Examples: red sand and clay covering white limestone for Frappato. Crumbly black clay for Nero d’Avola, white sandy soil mixed with stones for Grillo, white sandy soil for Vermentino and brick-orange clay-sand over limestone for the Iri da Iri Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classic cru, known for its long aging. Frappato Vittoria DOC and Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classic DOCG reds are the main focus here and are excellent.  Valle dell’Acate also makes a sparkling Frappato IGT Terre Siciliane produced in the ancestral methode called Fil d’Oro. It is a delightful pet-nat wine that hopefully will become available stateside.

Recommended wines:

Valle dell’Acate Il Frappato DOC 2023, delivers plush notes of cherry and roses.

Valle dell’Acate Frappato Contrada Biddine Sottana 2024 DOC Frappato, aged in stainless. This cru wine delivers more lush blackberry notes.

BDN Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Classic0 2022 an elegant wine cru wine delivering notes of blackberry, dark cherry and cacao.

General information: valledellacate.it

U.S. Importer: Skurnik Wines & Spirits

COS 

COS was founded in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The name COS comes from the first letter of each founder’s surname. Giambattista Cilia and Giusto Occhipinti were on hand for our visit. The winery facility dates to the 1880s.  The COS cofounders, recognizing the potential for producing terroir-driven wines, tasked themselves with modernization to resounding success. COS embraces organic production with fervor, fermenting with natural native yeasts and applying biodynamic principles. Of note is the large room of amphora vessels used to produce COS’s line of Pithos wines.

Recommended wines:

Pithos Bianco 2022 Terre Siciliane aged 7 months in amphora, made from the local Grecanico grape, a relative to the Garganega variety grown in Soave. This wine offered notes of orange blossom, grilled pineapple and chamomile tea.

Rami 2023 Terre Siciliane IGT. Extended skin content 5-7 days delivers a golden hue blend of 50-50 Grillo and Inzolia. The juice undergoes spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks on the skins with indigenous yeast, and the wine is aged in concrete vats for eight months followed by three months in the bottle before release. This aromatic wine bursts with flavors of stone fruits and orange blossom.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG Classico 2022, aged 18 months in Slavonian oak followed by one year in concrete. This classic Cerasuolo has flavors of blackberries, dried violets, orange zest and black tea.

General information: COS – viticoltori in Vittoria
U.S. Importer: Polaner Selections

 

Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti

One of the most respected voices in Sicily’s natural wine movement, Arianna Occhipinti started her namesake winery in 2004 at the age of 22. Since age 16 she had been working with her uncle, Giusto Occhipinti, at his winery COS, where she was enmeshed in following his biodynamic approach to farming.

Arianna was a bundle of energy as she walked us through the vineyards pointing out the blanket of brick red sandy soil covering deep limestone, a signature of this region’s terroir. In her tasting room, dozens of Post-it notes and worksheets covered the walls, the result of brainstorming sessions to help focus on the branding and future of Arianna Occhipinti. The wines revealed a personality that reflects this intensity.

The winery is located within the Cerasuolo Classico zone in Contrade Bomboliere. Her vineyards are located in four different contrade.

Recommended wines:

SM (Contrada Santa Margarita) Grillo 2022. Grapes are sourced from a two-hectare vineyard and macerated in concrete for 24 hours. The wine is aged for a year in both concrete and Slavonian oak without fining or filtering. This wine has notes of lemon zest, chamomile and honey.

PT (Contrada Pettino) Frappato 2022 sourced from 70-year-old vines. Grapes are macerated 20 days on their skins, fermented in concrete with wild yeasts. The wine is aged 20 months in an oval concrete tank and 4 months in bottle. This wine exudes ripe wild strawberries and cherries.

BB (Contrada Bombolieri) Frappato 2022 sourced from 25-year-old vines. Grapes are macerated for 20 days on their skins, fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts, and aged 20 months in oval concrete tanks. This wine had a lighter touch on the fruit.

General information: Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti – Wines and cellar

U.S. importer: Louis Dressner Selections Arianna Occhipinti

This trip was arranged by the organizers of Sicilia en Primeur. A special thank you to:

Assovini Sicilia, Consorzio Tutela di Vino Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Just Sicily,  Zedcom