Eight labels that express the extraordinary oenological vocation of their region and the incredible complexity and potential of a selected number of traditional varietals: Catarratto and Inzolia for the whites, Perricone for the reds. Alongside these we find Syrah, an international variety which has found, in this corner of Sicily, the ideal conditions to express itself at its best. The new Monreale Doc wine list offers all wine lovers the tools to explore the most distinctive and emblematic qualities of each label. Fragrant white wines, each made unique by the interaction between each varietal and the area’s soil and climate specificities. Reds of great elegance, complex yet consistent, to which the interplay of time, steel and wood (but also concrete) has bestowed a soft and enveloping texture of tannins, as well as sapidity and finesse.
Vigna di Mandranova
The Alessandro family has always focused on the production of wines with a strong territorial identity, expressive of the terroir and climate of their native region, the area of Monreale. The Monreale Bianco Vigna di Mandranova is obtained from Catarratto grapes grown in the oldest vineyard of the estate, planted in 1988 on the hill overlooking the Mandranova district at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. The wine rests for 12 months on the lees in steel tanks while a small percentage spends 12 months in French oak tonneaus. Catarratto Vigna di Mandranova is an elegant wine, straw yellow in colour, the nose is seductive and well balanced with a fruit-driven, floral bouquet and a spicy, mineral finish. The palate is balanced and linear, with a satisfying acidity and a surprising length. It was the first of the company wines to obtain the Doc Monreale designation.
Syrah di Macellarotto
The Doc Monreale area is now a recognized reference point for high-quality Syrah and Giuseppe Vaccaro’s wine estate is among those who have truly understood this varietal’s enormous potential. Syrah 2019 is the result of precision viticulture carried out on hilly and sandy loam soils, vinified in the cellar of the company headquarters in the district known as Macellarotto. Aged 12 months in French oak tonneaus and another year in bottle, this Syrah is ruby red in colour with purple highlights, the nose offers notes of black pepper and graphite with hints of red berries and violet. The palate is spacious, with elegant tannins and an excellent supporting acidity which gives balance and length to the finish.
Syrah di Macellarotto
L’areale della Doc Monreale è oramai riconosciuto come punto di riferimento vinicolo per il Syrah e l’azienda di Giuseppe Vaccaro è tra quelle che meglio hanno saputo valorizzarne le enormi potenzialità. Il Syrah 2019 è il risultato di una viticoltura di precisione praticata su terreni collinari e franco-sabbiosi con una resa inferiore ai 50 quintali per ettaro e non è un caso che “Macellarotto” sia anche la contrada dove risiede l’azienda. Affina 12 mesi in tonneaux di rovere francese e altrettanti in bottiglia prima della messa in commercio. Si presenta di rosso rubino profondo con leggeri riflessi violacei ma è al naso che sprigiona tutto il suo varietale: note speziate di pepe nero e grafite ma anche piccoli frutti rossi e profumi di violetta. Al gusto è ampio con eleganti tannini ed un’ottima spalla acida che conferisce equilibro e lunghezza sul finale.
The Doc Monreale area is now a recognized reference point for high-quality Syrah and Giuseppe Vaccaro’s wine estate is among those who have truly understood this varietal’s enormous potential. Syrah 2019 is the result of precision viticulture carried out on hilly and sandy loam soils, vinified in the cellar of the company headquarters in the district known as Macellarotto. Aged 12 months in French oak tonneaus and another year in bottle, this Syrah is ruby red in colour with purple highlights, the nose offers notes of black pepper and graphite with hints of red berries and violet. The palate is spacious, with elegant tannins and an excellent supporting acidity which gives balance and length to the finish.
Murriali Insolia/Catarratto
Two native Sicilian varietals have their home in the Doc Monreale: Inzolia and Catarratto. Here on the estate, they are grown at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level, on medium-textured clayey soils that are rich in gravel and minerals. The result is a stunningly fresh-tasting blend that expresses all the unique aromatic linearity of its varietals. Baglio di Pianetto thus embraces the DOC of Monreale, offering a wine with a unique and unmistakable identity. The name and label are an homage to the homonymous Norman settlement located a few kilometres from Palermo, with its famous Cathedral and magnificent cloister. Murriali Insolia is straw yellow in colour with greenish higlights. The nose offers floral notes of orange blossom, green apple and peach, the palate is well-balanced, fresh and pleasantly sapid.
Granmassenti Perricone
It is the crowning jewel of a recovery project centred on one of Sicily’s most unique native varietals, one that is of particular importance within the area covered by the Monreale DOC: Perricone. The name Granmassenti refers to the legendary “great riches” hidden in the Disisa Estate, an homage to the opulence and sumptuous texture of this wine’s tannins. A taste-olfactory richness that stands out for the pleasantness and intensity of its notes of red rose, wild berries and black cherry, its captivating spiciness and pleasant balance.
Granmassenti Perricone
It is the crowning jewel of a recovery project centred on one of Sicily’s most unique native varietals, one that is of particular importance within the area covered by the Monreale DOC: Perricone. The name Granmassenti refers to the legendary “great riches” hidden in the Disisa Estate, an homage to the opulence and sumptuous texture of this wine’s tannins. A taste-olfactory richness that stands out for the pleasantness and intensity of its notes of red rose, wild berries and black cherry, its captivating spiciness and pleasant balance.
Parco Reale
The family of Marchesi de Gregorio, in the estate of Sirignano, has always dedicated itself to the cultivation of native vine varieties – such as Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia, Moscato Giallo, Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese and Perricone – from the late 90s onwards; has also introduced into the company international varieties: among these the Viognier, the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot and, finally, the Syrah that, right in the area of Monreale, have found an ideal habitat to express themselves at their best.
From vineyards in the hills at 200 meters above sea level was born Royal Park, Syrah in purity, one of the most representative labels of the company: with a planting density of about 4,000 plants per hectare, reared with espalier and simple guyot method, the grapes are left to macerate with the skins for about fourteen days. Then the wine obtained makes a passage in French oak barrels for 12 months, continuing the aging phase for another six months in large oak barrels and refines further for 6 months in bottle. Ruby red with a tendency to garnet, the nose has intense and fruity aromas with spicy hints of black pepper and red berries, but also vanilla and licorice. The taste is soft, full-bodied and with a good structure.
Ridente Syrah
The Pollara family has worked with passion and talent over the years to promote the value of Sicilian wines, both in Italy and abroad. As the Monreale Doc denomination enters a new phase, Principe di Corleone too has a few surprises in store: its latest vintage Syrah, which will be released in the coming spring, will bear the prestigious Denomination of Controlled Origin.
The Pollara family has worked with passion and talent over the years to promote the value of Sicilian wines, both in Italy and abroad. As the Monreale Doc denomination enters a new phase, Principe di Corleone too has a few surprises in store: its latest vintage Syrah, which will be released in the coming spring, will bear the prestigious Denomination of Controlled Origin.
Catarratto
A Catarratto ‘bianco’ obtained from biodynamic farming practiced on sandy soils at an altitude of six hundred meters a.s.l. A wine endowed with great body and good ageing capacity, obtained from forty tonnes of grapes produced by fifty-year-old vines. The nose is intense and engaging, offering complex notes of citrus, chamomile and spice. A wine of great drinkability, fresh tasting on the palate with a lingering finish.
La Monaca Syrah
La Monaca is a wine obtained from the careful selection of grapes carried out by the Tasca d’Almerita team within the Sallier de la Tour estate. Two hectares planted in 2011 at an altitude of 320 meters a.s.l. on sandy soils give life to a unique and elegant Syrah. It is aged in 350-litre French oak barrels for 14 months and displays a deep ruby red colour. The nose is spicy and balsamic with hints graphite, aromatic herbs and red fruit. The palate is structured and well-balanced, offering a generous and satisfying mouthfeel.
La Monaca Syrah
La Monaca is a wine obtained from the careful selection of grapes carried out by the Tasca d’Almerita team within the Sallier de la Tour estate. Two hectares planted in 2011 at an altitude of 320 meters a.s.l. on sandy soils give life to a unique and elegant Syrah. It is aged in 350-litre French oak barrels for 14 months and displays a deep ruby red colour. The nose is spicy and balsamic with hints graphite, aromatic herbs and red fruit. The palate is structured and well-balanced, offering a generous and satisfying mouthfeel.