Giuseppe Cipolla Passofonduto Solfare Skin Contact 2022

Country: Italy

Region: Sicily

Type: Orange Wine

Grape: Grillo/Cataratto/Other Varieties

Contrada Passofonduto is located about 25 km from Agrigento, on the south central coast of Sicily. In 2015, Guiseppe Cipolla began planting vines on land his family had cultivated to other crops like grains, olives, fruits and legumes. He farms organically and has planted his vineyards to Nero d'Avola and Nerello Mascalese for the reds, and for whites, Grillo, Catarratto and Zibibbo.

"Solfare" refers to naturally-occuring sulfur in local soils (there were sulfur mines in the region in the distant past). Farming is organic. The grapes are destemmed, macerated for one day on their skins in fiberglass, then fermented and aged half in stainless steel and half in French oak. Minimal sulfur is added. About 5% of the blend comes from aromatic white grapes that winemaker Giuseppe Cipolla does not know the name of. 

Golden in color, with rich aromas of white flowers, savory apple, dried apricots, smoke and spice. The palate is round and herbal, with stone fruits, candied lemons, and a saline edge. Excellent structure, with medium acidity and tea-like tannins.