2019 Nicolò Grippaldi Dei Pinti Sicilia DOC

In the whole province of Enna, there hasn’t been any serious vineyard planting or winemaking since phylloxera eradicated all of the region’s vineyards. And for decades, scrappy subsistence farming, livestock farming, and a lack of general wherewithal has prevented any serious oenological endeavors. After attending school in Florence, studying literature and philosophy, and falling in love with the complexities of wine and biodynamic farming in Tuscany, Nicolò made the inspired choice to return to his hometown of Gagliano Castelferrato and turn his attention to the abandoned land he inherited from his great grandfather. In 2015, Nicolò planted a modest 2.63 hectares of vineyards on the land where 100 years ago his great grandfather had also planted a small vineyard.

Dei Pinti is 80% nerello mascalese and 20% nero d’avola that grow on sandy clay soils in mountainous Enna at  650-700m asl. He farms dry—no irrigation–  and biodynamically. The approach in the cellar is natural and minimalistic, using only the bare minimum amounts of sulfur and relying only on indigenous yeasts for spontaneous fermentations. Nicolò eschews the use of oak and prefers vessels made of concrete and stainless steel for his fermentations and aging. 

Macerated strawberry with violets and tobacco leaf give way to savory herbs: wild thyme and rosemary. A rich texture on the palate with a medium bodied frame and fine but firm tannins.