After the debut among the Top 100 wineries selected by the US magazine Wine & Spirits, the Faro family presents a new challenging project from old vines
Solicchiata, September 2023 – Cantina Pietradolce, a renowned boutique winery on the slopes of Etna (Sicily), presents with the 2019 vintage a new cru, “Feudo di Mezzo”, a new Etna Rosso DOC which becomes part of the range of the company’s great wines produced from pre-phylloxera vines.
“Feudo di Mezzo” comes from ungrafted vines that are more than 80 years old. The Contrada Feudo di mezzo is located 650 meters a.s.l. and, thanks to the lower altitudes, it gives a more Mediterranean character to the grapes. The Faro family, owners of Pietradolce, have wanted to invest in this unique territory since 2005, producing wines of great personality, in limited editions, in order to fully express the identity of each single cru.
The careful work of Pietradolce, respectful of the environment and the Etna territory, has recently also been recognized overseas, with the inclusion of the winery among the Top 100 2023 of Wine&Spirits, a prestigious US magazine that every year rewards one hundred wineries around the world which stood out in blind tastings carried out by expert tasters. There are only 17 Italian companies selected. “This recognition was a great surprise which sees us debut – alongside renowned names in international wine production – in the important Wine&Spirits ranking”, says Michele Faro, underlining how “our research work on a territory that we love and respect is certainly our strength point, which allows us to offer high quality, territorial and strongly identifying wines.”
Feudo di Mezzo – which joins other labels such as Barbagalli or Contrada Rampante – is a wine that evokes the volcanic soul of Etna and its native grape variety, Nerello Mascalese. The grapes come from one of the oldest and most uncontaminated vineyards on the slopes of the volcano, recovered from the wild with careful agronomic work and restored to its splendor, integrating it with the surrounding landscape. The maturation occurs for 14 months in 700 lt oak barrels, not to mark, but to leave freedom of expression to the wine, enhancing its complexity and depth. This limited edition wine is the result of meticulous attention to detail and tireless dedication to quality that the Faro family has placed at the center of its winemaking activity.
“We were waiting for the right vintage to launch the new Feudo di Mezzo cru which joins our portfolio of niche productions. – explains Michele Faro – We have a heritage of ancient pre-phylloxera vineyards available for our Contrada wines, from micro territories that we vinify separately to enhance their differences.”
For further information: www.pietradolce.it
