2020 Gurrieri Grillo

Region: Vittoria < Sicily < Italy

Grapes: Grillo

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic farming; sand and red clay soil, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for 9 months; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal So2; 13% ABV

Winemaker: Giovanni Gurrieri

Hailing from the southern tip of Siciliy, where the Gurrieri’s had been organic table grape growers for three generations until son Giovanni rallied them to winemaking back in the mid-90s. He surveyed the family’s 20 hectares of land in the Vittoria area of coastal southeastern Sicily, and picked out just 5 with the best soil, exposure and climate – meaning, cooling Mediterranean breezes and a 25 degree (Celsius!) diurnal temperature shift between day and night. They’ve been farming their land organically forever but became certified for wine production. They pick every grape and individual plot by hand, at peak ripeness, starting in the middle of the night to ensure the grapes come to the winery cold. After that, cellar work is minimal and so you’ve got nothing left to bottle but pure, Sicilian terroir!

We've featured the family's gorgeous Frappato before, but this vintage we fell for their Grillo, a white grape native to Sicily that is thought to be a cross between Catarratto and Zibibbo. When grown and vinified correctly it shows fine freshness and perfume, with notes of citrus, apple, and herbs.  From estate vineyards near Mazzarrone not far from the sea, this Grillo is super dry, round and fresh, with green apple, citrus, mediterranean herbs and just enough acidity to keep things fresh. I love the lingering, bitter-edged, mineral-tinged finish. Makes a delicious dry aperitivo, or would be perfect with most seafood, pastas or roast chicken.