Fabrizio Vella, Rosso Biologico, IGT, Sicily, Italy, 2024

Producer Profile

Fabrizio Vella is a passionate winemaker living and working in Sicily.

Proud of the island he calls home, his desire was to create a range of wines both personal to him and reflective of his homeland. Working with the indigenous varieties of Cattaratto and Nero d’Avola, and adopting an organic approach to winemaking, he has conjured four wines that are fresh, exciting, moreish and true to their origins – Sicilian wines through and through.

Viticulture

Harvested by hand. Yields are naturally limited by the winds and climatic conditions on the island and average around 80 quintal per hectare. Vineyard sites are situated at an altitude of 350-450m, ensuring cooler night time temperatures which preserve crucial acidity in the grapes. The average age of the vineyards are 7 years old. wines tend to be harvested earlier than many of their neighbours and consequently they are bright and fresh with no jammy, baked flavours.

Winemaking

Fermented in wooden barrels, 70% crushed and 30% the whole bunches. A temperature controlled fermentation to reach 28°C. A natural fermentation without the addition of yeast, which takes around 10 days, then the malolactic ferment starts with skin contact for 1 month. Aged in neutral oak for 8 months.

Tasting Note

A natural wine with a complex nose, which is spicy and packed full of punchy liqouirice, chocolate, and dark fruits. Crisp, pleasant and persistent in the mouth.

Food Matching

Steak, game and hard cheeses.