2019 Grape Harvest in our estates of Cavanera Etnea, Calamoni di Favignana and Trapani contryside.

Firriato’s 2019 vintage has been generally characterised by colder and wetter climate compared to the average of recent years. Precipitations distributed in winter prolonged until late spring, with temperatures also below the average. We recorded winds from the north – sometimes even sustained (north wind) delayed sprouting and moved the entire development process forward.
No temperature increase over 2019 grape harvest. Precipitations lasted until summer causing a drop in temperatures in western Sicily, especially over flowering period. However ,vegetative development of the plants was quite good. Teperatures, determined a reduction, the more accentuated the earlier the variety, of the size of the bunch influencing the fruit quality, in the pre and flowering phenological phases. Despite a reduction in quantity, these environmental conditions have certainly caused an increase in the level of sugars, acids, polyphenols and the component of aromas precursors in the grapes. As a matter of fact we reached excellent balance between the olfactory (aromas) and taste (alcohol / freshness ratio) component. Whites will shine for their remarkable finesse, rather than Reds will outstand for the accumulations in polyphenols and coloring substances.

The harvest in the Trapani contryside

In Trapani contryside – Pianoro Cuddìa, Dàgala Borromeo, Borgo Guarini  e Baglio Sorìa  – grape harvest started on August 12th, with a slight late collection of the Chardonnay, caused by the slow maturation process, then it was up to charmat sparkling wine bases for Gaudensius Blanc de blanc 2019 , followed by the other white-berry varieties: Grillo , Inzolia and Catarratto , harvested in mid-September. On the other hand, we started the red grape harvest with Merlot, at the end of August. We kept on with  Syrah and Nero d’Avola grapes, these ones too moved forward in ripening, to conclude, at the end of September, with the Cabernet and the Perricone , with which we will produce, our Ribeca . The productive decline on white grapes is matched by a more than interesting qualitative picture thanks to the extension of maturation times.

We will have more balanced wines, with a more elegant and persistent olfactory intensity. Talking about red grapes, the prolonged ripening time and the remarkable day / night temperature swift have increased the substances contained in the skins, defining an organoleptic heritage presenting  all the conditions for an important harvest.

The harvest at Calamoni di Favignana  grape harvest started in early September.

On the island of the Egadi archipelago, harvest delay reached ten days. It was a cool summer and the extended rainfall until late spring, prolonged the ripening times of the grapes.

Grillo and Zibibbo have reached optimal maturation, then we carried on with the Catarratto. We think that Favinia La Muciara, will be fresh and aromatic.

During the third decade of September, collection followed by Nero D’Avola and Perricone, for Favinia Le Sciabiche, a unique red wine.

No significant drop production for Calamonti estate, compared to Trapani countryside harvest.

In the north eastern slope of the volcano, at Cavanera Etnea , vineyards are divided into 9 different districts (contrade). 

We started harvest time with Nerello Mascalese grapes for the sparkling base of Gaudensius Blanc de Noir , in late August.

Just after, in the early part of September, we collected white grapes of Carricante  and Catarratto. Talking about quantity, production on the Etnawas more regular like previous years. Red grapes of Nerello Mascalese  have registered a slower maturation and enjoying important temperature changes between day and night, favoring the accumulation of polyphenolic substances. 

The harvest ended at the beginning of second week of November, with the harvest of Nerello Mascalese grapes of the pre-phylloxera vineyard.

A vineyard that tells the story of viticulture of Etna. A heritage we wanted to preserve and safeguard for the secret inside it.

In these 2 hectares of ungrafted vineyard, planted at the beginning of twentieth century, before the appearance of phylloxera, genetic profiles as unknown varieties have been discovered.

In these vineyards, we produce Signum Aetnae, Etna Doc Riserva, a small production of bottles for a special winelovers.

The premises, as in the other territories, offer a harvest of exceptional organoleptic quality.

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