Province of Messina
Established: 2008
Owners: Gianfranco Sabbatino, Filippo
Pistone and Andrea Barzagli
Winemaker: Carlo Ferrini
Production: 25,000 bottles
Hectares under vine: 7
Viticulture: Organic
Like neighbouring Mount Etna, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio are the two main varieties here, along with the local Nocera. Faro traces its winemaking back to the Fourteenth Century B.C. but was left devastated by phylloxera, only making a comeback in the 1980’s.
Le Casematte was named after the two casements in the vineyards that served as observatories and defensive structures during World War II. The terraced vineyards (some with a gradient of 70 degrees) are planted between 250 and 370 metres above sea level on clayey-sandy-calcareous soil. The vines here benefit from the constant sea breezes of the Messina Strait, especially the howling Sirocco wind during summer, and there are significant day/night temperature variations. This adds up to fruit rich wines with wonderful aromatic qualities that show beautiful freshness and balance with a strong sense of place.
