The Spadafora Agricultural Company was founded in 1968; in that year, a strong earthquake had caused extensive damage to the estate inherited from an uncle, Michele De Stefani. Don Pietro dei Principi di Spadafora rebuilt the company, restructured the vineyards giving great impetus to native grape varieties, but also adopted and used many “international” grape varieties. In 1993, Don Pietro’s son, Francesco Spadafora, produced and marketed the first bottles, naturally dedicated to his father.
The management of the vineyards is governed by a biological philosophy and great care is taken in the selection of the buds and clusters.
In the cellar, techniques and technologies are adopted that allow the raw material to be treated delicately. For all wines, fermentation is initiated by pied de cuve prepared with the same grapes being vinified and takes place without adding sulfur dioxide.
Principe G 2019
Wine produced solely from Grillo grapes, harvested from a vineyard planted in 1996 in the Virzì district in Monreale, at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level and with a West exposure. Harvest takes place in mid-September and the vinification process follows these steps: after destemming, the must is cooled for settling, and then fermentation is triggered with a pied de cuve prepared from the same grapes, without the addition of sulfur, at a controlled temperature in a cement tank for 4 months. After further 12 months in the tank, the wine is bottled.
In the glass, it has a straw yellow color with greenish reflections; it smells of yellow fruit, with hints of citrus, pineapple, and Mediterranean scrub. Very rich on the palate with flavors of yellow fruit and ripe citrus, slightly sharp, it offers mineral notes and sapidity; smooth and spicy sip.
Chardonnay 2016
Wine produced with Chardonnay grapes from the vineyards of Contrada Virzì, in Monreale, located at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level, planted in 1996. The harvest takes place in the second half of August and fermentation is triggered with pied de cuve in the absence of sulfur, at a controlled temperature in a concrete tank.
30% of the wine mass matures for 3 months in oak barrels and the rest in steel; then it refines for a year in the bottle. It has a beautiful golden yellow color and its aroma is intense and complex, with yellow fruit, citrus, sage, and a slight toasting. The palate is pleasant, glyceric, round, very fruity, and with appreciated exotic notes of prickly pear. It has a vibrant and citrusy freshness, great sapidity, and a spicy and slightly almond finish. The length is mainly governed by citrusy and savory notes.
Don Pietro 2019
This is the wine dedicated to the founder of the company, for which the following grape varieties contribute: Nero d’Avola 40%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, and Merlot 30%; the vineyards, planted between 1990 and 2000, are located in Contrada Virzì, in Monreale, at an altitude of 250 m above sea level.
Fermentation is initiated with a pied de cuve without sulfur, in a cement tank; maceration lasts up to 10 days at a controlled temperature. The wine ages for 1 year in a cement tank and then refines for 12 months in the bottle.
The color is dark and intense ruby, but not impenetrable; on the nose, it manifests with aromas of red fruit, mineral notes, blood, and black pepper; hints of iodine and balsamic notes complete the rich olfactory spectrum. On the palate, there is a lot of red fruit, especially cherries; it is round, fresh, and persistent; the tannins are present but sweet; it has good sapidity and a high spiciness.
Siriki rosso 2015
100% Syrah, the grapes are harvested in late August from a vineyard planted in 2000 at an altitude of 300 m above sea level in Contrada Virzì, Monreale. Fermentation is spontaneous but is initiated by pied de cuve without sulfur in cement tanks, with maceration lasting about 12 days at a controlled temperature. Aging lasts for 2 years in steel; then, unfiltered and without the addition of sulfites, it matures for 6 months in the bottle.
This is a lively and youthful wine, appearing in the glass as a very compact ruby-purple color, just a little lighter on the nail. It gives off aromas of small black fruits, metallic notes, blood, balsamic, and black pepper. Initially, the palate is greeted with somewhat rough and scratchy tannins, but then the freshness and many fruity flavors soften the taste, which becomes round, rich, savory, and smooth.
Sole dei Padri 2012
Wine made from Syrah grapes harvested at the end of August, coming from a vineyard planted in 1996 at an altitude of 450 m above sea level in Contrada Virzì, Monreale. Fermentation is initiated with pied de cuve and without the addition of sulfur, in cement vats; maceration lasts up to 20 days at a controlled temperature, then it matures for 1 year in barrels and ages for 24 months in the bottle.
The color is a deep purple-red and it smells of red fruit with hints of wild berries, carob, intense iron-like mineral notes, balsamic and aromatic herbs. On the palate, intense and creamy flavors of red fruit arrive on an excellent acidic base. Its texture is very rich, but the sip is smooth and offers a velvety and subtle tannin; it closes with spicy and peppery notes.
Article dated 03/24/2023 written by Antonio Di Spirito on lucianopignataro.it
