TIMELINE
1978
FOUNDATION
The Firriato winery , which name reminds the French clos in Sicily, is founded by Salvatore and Vinzia’s insight starting the enhancement process of indigenous vines, always looking for those characterizing terroirs that only the Sicilian continent can offer.
1980
THE ESTATE OF BAGLIO SORÌA
Firriato’s wine project comes to life in the Baglio Sorìa estate. The native Sicilian ampelographic heritage is planted
1986
THE BORGO GUARINI ESTATE
Firriato expands its viticultural project in the Borgo Guarini area, characterized by the presence of 3 soil orders
1989
ACQUISITION OF THE PIANORO CUDDÌA ESTATE
The Pianoro Cuddìa estate is added to the project of Authentic Terroir. The recovery trial of Perricone grapes gets underway thanks to high percentage of salinity and clays in these soils.
1990
THE REVIVAL OF PERRICONE VINE VARIETY
After a long time selecting which clones around Sicilian winescape to grow, Firriato plants its first Perricone vineyard in the Pianoro Cuddìa estate, wanting to recover this minor grape and enhance its aromatic characteristics.
1991
THE FIRST VINTAGE OF SANTAGOSTINO
A successful label is released. The first vintage of Santagostino, an icon wine for both the winery and Sicily, the favourite one of Firriato’s winelovers.
1992
A FACE TELLING ABOUT SICILY
Vinzia begins to travel around the world telling about the beauty of Sicily and the authentic value of wines of this sunny continent island.
1994
FIRRIATO AND DOC ETNA
First grape harvest of DOC Etna. Together with other Sicilian wineries, Firriato is at the forefront in interpreting the value of this particular territory: the mountain viticulture
1996
ACQUISITION OF THE DÀGALA BORROMEO ESTATE
The Authentic Terroir project, aiming to enhance the climate and soil biodiversity in the Trapani countryside, moves forward with a new acquisition.
1997
THE FIRST VINTAGE OF HARMONIUM
After years of careful analysis and experimentation, the first vintage of Harmonium, blend of three well-defined crus of Nero d’Avola grown in the Borgo Guarini estate,is released. An outstanding Nero d’Avola very appreciated worldwide.
1999
THE ARRIVAL OF ETNA BIANCO
The very first Etna white Firriato produced it first Etna Bianco DOC, with Carricante and Catarratto grapes
2000
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Safeguarding territory together with modern viticulture are concepts based on sustainable agronomic practices. Not a mere “claim” but a real commitment focused on measurable goals.
2004
THE EXPERIMENTAL VINEYARD
Research and recovery continue in the Borgo Guarini estate, the home for Sicilian minor vine varietals.
2005
INAUGURATION OF THE CAVANERA ETNEA WINERY
Firriato restores an old winemaking plant (Palmento) which date back to the 17th century and inaugurates the Cavanera winery in the territory of Castiglione di Sicilia.
2006
THE CALAMONI DI FAVIGNANA ESTATE
Firriato explores the marine viticulture and the most extreme terroirs. 5 ha of indigenous vineyards planted close to the Calamoni cliff.
2007
THE METHOD OF INFUSION: L’ECRU’
Trials move forward: 2 different grape harvests to producea single wine. Raisin is immersed in the wine coming from the late grape harvest. The first vintage of L’Ecrù is made and marketed.
2007
ORGANIC FARMING
New European organic regulation 834 /07 comes into force: Firriato endorses, starting certification process.
2009
GAUDENSIUS: THE CLASSIC METHOD
Firriato’s first classic method Etna DOC made with Nerello Mascalese grapes and ageing minimum of 32 months on lees.
2010
CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMING
Firriato’s viticultural estates (vineyards and olive trees) are all organic certified.
2011
THE BIRTH OF FAVINIA WINES
Marine wines conceived with the desire to discover a unique terroir embraced by the breeze of the sea. Research regards how the Neptune grass influences vineyards.
2013
THE 2nd GENERATION ENTER FIRRIATO WINE WORLD
Irene join Vinzia and Salvatore to run the winery.
2013
DATING OF THE PRE PHYLLOXERA VINEYARD
The University of Palermo analyses pre-phylloxera vineyard located in the Cavanera Estate, on Etna: 140 year-old vineyard.
2015
INAUGURATION OF ACCOMODATION FACILITIES AND RESORTS
Viticulture, winemaking but also convivial atmosphere and refined hospitality. Firriato turns a new page inaugurating its Resorts in the estates of Baglio Sorìa, Cavanera Etnea and Calamoni di Favignana.
2017
NEW ACQUISITIONS
Firriato keeps on exploring the Etna areas, focusing attention on the northern part of the volcano.
2018
NEW HA ON THE ETNA VOLCANO
Firriato keeps increasing its Ha on the North part of the Etna DOC area of the volcano, between Passopisciaro and Castiglione di Sicilia
2019
FIRRIATO IS CARBON NEUTRAL
DNV GL’s Carbon Neutrality Protocol certification for actions taken to neutralize Green House Gas (GHG) emissions through quantification, reduction and offset measures.
2019
THE BIRTH OF LE SABBIE DELL’ETNA ROSATO
The first Rosé of the Etna by the Firriato maison,100% Nerello Mascalese grapes.
2019
INAUGURATION OF THE NEW CELLAR
With a solid experience acquired on the Etna terroir,Firriato opens its new cellar.
2019
SIGNUM AETNAE “PRE FILLOSSERA“ MAKES ITS DEBUT ON THE MARKET
From the vineyard it prefillossera dated 140 years since the CNR, Nasce Signum Aetnae, Etna DOC Rosso Riserva.
2019
THE EXPERIMENTAL VINEYARD
Firriato inaugurates the experimental vineyard. Within this small parcel, 8 unknown genome are planted for research purposes
2020
CONTRADE DELL’ETNA
Firriato continues its research on the potential of the Etna Terroir through the acquisition of a young Nerelli vineyard, in the north of the volcano, in the Marchesa and Allegracore Contrade
2020
A STEADY COMMITMENT
Firriato continues to keep wineries under Carbon neutral protocol also for the current year
2021
AWARD FOR SUSTAINABLE VITICULTURE
Firriato Firriato obtains the authoritative recognition awarded by the prestigious Italian Guide for sustainability: Award for sustainable viticulture
2021
CARBON POSITIVE
Firriato keeps on compensating GHG emissions aimind at reducing more compares what environmental standards state
2021
NEW CLASSIC METHOD SPARKLING WINES
Forged by Etna, two other projects related to Nerello Mascalese are born, in its sparkling version: Gaudensius Pas Dosè and Gaudensius Rosé
2021
THE WINES OF CONTRADA
The Cavanera line expands: welcome to Cavanera Balza delle Poiane and Cavanera Sciara del Tiglio
