July 2023 – Tenuta Zisola lies in south-eastern Sicily, birthplace of the Nero d’Avola grape. It’s just a stone’s throw from Noto, a UNESCO world heritage site famous for its Baroque architecture. It was here, in 2003, that the Mazzei began their wine-making project: 50 hectares of family-owned land extending around three Bagli (traditional farmhouses), the largest of which enjoys splendid views across to Noto and the giardini of vines, olives, citrus fruits and almonds that surround it. Tenuta Zisola is currently being converted to organic production; it will be certified fully organic by 2023.
The winery is small but efficient, with vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for and some 350 oak barrels in which our wines are aged. In addition to wine, we produce extra-virgin olive oil, citrus fruit and almonds.
THE VINEYARDS
Located at altitudes ranging from 90 and 130 metres (300-450ft) above sea level, all our vineyards are well exposed and well ventilated, facing West-South-West with gradients of between eight and ten percent. The soil is calcareous, medium textured and rich in gravel. We have 24 hectares of vines planted according to the traditional ‘ad alberello’ (bush-trained) method, which ensures balance and protection for the grape bunches. Nero d’Avola predominates but we also have small quantities of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Grillo and Catarratto. Sea breezes from the coast nearby help keep the worst of both summer heat and winter cold at bay. This, together with our very particular calcareous soil conditions, guarantees that our grapes mature perfectly and that our wines are mineral, fresh, elegant and full of character. In Zisola the vines have always been managed in a natural way, the fertilization of the soils takes place through green manure, the mechanical burial of spontaneous herbs and converting organic waste into compost.
THE WINES
At Zisola are produced six wines: four reds and two whites. Approaching the winemaking process with sensitivity and respect, the Mazzei family aims to bring out the finest qualities of the historic Nero d’Avola grape variety in their interpretation of a territory – Sicily – which has a character all of its own. Our aim is always to produce instantly recognisable wines of character.
Doppiozeta – Sicilia Noto Rosso DOC – This is the company’s hallmark wine and an icon among Sicilian wines in general, but with a new style. It’s a selection of Nero d’Avola from three unique plots – Piscina, Sopra Navel e Mandorleto – each of them undergoes a separate process from harvest to vinification and aging to enhance the single peculiarities. From 2017 vintage is an unfiltered wine. It’s a super-Nero d’Avola, muscular with an explosion of fruit and spices, its powerful, elegant texture underpins the wine’s 20-year-plus ageing potential.
Zisola – Sicilia Noto Rosso DOC –Nero d’Avola 100% this is a dense, well-structured wine with good acidity and a lasting aftertaste –the perfect expression of what this variety is capable of. The elevated position of the vineyard and the soil conditions create elegance, freshness and fruity flavours.
Azisa – Sicilia DOC – Starting with the 2021 vintage this wine is 100% Grillo; the objective is to enhance the characteristic of this grape that finds out a perfect home of choice in the calcareous terroir of the Zisola estate. It’s aromatic and fresh – pleasantly dry and mineral, with notes of flowers and citrus.
Achilles – Syrah Sicilia DOC– Syrah expresses its full potential in our rocky, calcareous soil and typically dry climate, and the bush-trained growing method used at Zisola makes it easier to keep this vine’s exuberance in check. Inspired by the Homeric hero, this 100% varietal is generous, pervasive and long-lasting on the nose, rich and caressing in the mouth.
Effe Emme – Petit Verdot Sicilia D.O.C – Noto’s particular terroir meets Petit Verdot in an intriguing single-variety wine that bursts with character. The name Effe Emme (F M) are the initials of Filippo Mazzei and Francesco Mazzei, CEOs and owners of the estate.
Contrada Zisola – Catarratto Terre Siciliane IGT – With this 100% Catarratto, a varietal widely spread in Sicily since very remote times, the Mazzei family continues its intention of enhancing the native vines of South-Eastern Sicily.
The pedoclimatic peculiarities of Zisola estate, that is to say highly calcareous soil and proximity to the sea which guarantees excellent ventilation, combined with the “alberello” (bush) training system with low yields and the characteristic acidity of Catarratto, guarantee a fresh and potentially long-lasting wine. Vinification: 50% on the skins in “cocciopesto” amphora for 3 months and 50% typical white wine vinification “sur lies”.
OLIVE OIL
Zisola’s Sicilia IGP Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is further proof of our vocation for excellence. Moresca, Ogliarola Messinese and Nocellara Etnea olives go into this oil which is golden in colour, and fruity with a touch of spiciness and a sweetness at the end – a triumph of perfumes and flavours celebrating the temperament of this territory. In 2017 we added the single-variety Monocultivar di Nocellara Etnea – Sicilia IGP oil to our collection. An entirely hand-picked selection of our very best Nocellara Etnea olives goes into this oil, guaranteeing intense aromatic richness and huge elegance.
GRAPPASESSANTA
At 60° proof, Sicily’s first ‘full-proof’ grappa offers a velvety experience created by our experienced master distiller Giovi. We have our own exclusive method for producing this award-winning grappa which ages over a long period in small oak barrels. It’s strong and complex but smooth as well.
