| Producer | Mortellito |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Varietal | Frappato, Nero D'Avola |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Sku | 1135191 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Tasting Notes: The Mortellito Rosso Calaniuru combines the fresh, juicy fruit and herbal aromas of Frappato with the dark cherry notes and earthy qualities of Nero d' Avola. Alive and earthy, this medium-bodied wine offers flavors of cranberry, strawberry and cracked pepper set against a pleasant salinity and delicate texture. Pair with light pasta or roast turkey.
Estate History: Mortellito, located in Val di Noto in the southeastern corner of Sicily, shares the same latitude as North Africa's arid desert regions. The vineyards are situated just a few kilometers from the coast, where groves of ancient olive and almond trees act as windbreaks against the sea breeze. The landscape is dotted with both abandoned and active fishing ports. Owner Dario Serrentino appreciates the unique contrasts of this coastal area, which he describes as "a desert next to the beach." Over the years, he has mastered the art of crafting exceptionally elegant wines from this limestone-rich terrain, which he believes is key to producing wines with tension, freshness, and complex salinity.
Dario, who has always been involved in his family farm, initially focused on heirloom almonds before transitioning from a career as a social worker and part-time farmer to a full-time winemaker, releasing his first bottles in 2014. His approach is rooted in a commitment to natural winemaking, with no chemical interventions in the vineyards and a minimalist approach in the cellar, where only a small amount of sulfur is added at bottling. Steering clear of both overly simplistic and excessively luxurious styles, Dario is part of a select group of Sicilian producers dedicated to creating fine natural wines—a process he poetically refers to as "mare e terra in vino" (sea and land in wine).
