The story of Tenuta Valle Delle Ferle is one of two young Sicilian producers who didn’t just inherit a vineyard, but a mission to preserve the heritage of South-Eastern Sicily. In 2016 Claudia Sciacca and Andrea Annino set out with a passion to bottle the soul of Caltagirone and breathe new life into an ancient winemaking tradition.
They embody everything we look for in a wine producer, beginning with a philosophy of certified organic stewardship from the outset. Their 10 hectares are treated as a living ecosystem rather than just a farm – specialising in the historic marriage of Nero d’Avola and Frappato while ensuring the heritage of the site remains intact for future generations.
Just outside of Caltagirone, the estate sits in the heart of what is considered the oldest wine route in history, a path that has seen vines flourish for millennia. Sitting at 400 metres above sea level, the vines thrive in an intense ventilation and dramatic temperature shifts between night and day . This natural cooling effect protects the grapes and gifts the wine a rare, soaring acidity with rich aromas, while maintaining incredible elegance and freshness.
Following a commitment to minimal intervention in their modern cellar – housed within an ancient palmento – grapes are harvested strictly by hand fermented with indigenous yeasts and no heavy filtration ensuring we taste nothing but the pure, unadulterated vibration of the fruit. The result is a collection of wines that are honest, soulful, and deeply reflective of the Sicilian soil and the dedicated hands that crafted them.
While much of Sicily produces “big” reds, Valle delle Ferle produces truly sophisticated ones. Their Cerasuolo di Vittoria is a masterclass in balance, where crunchy red berries meet earthy spice and a silk-like finish. It is wine with a soul, made by people who care more about the character of the vintage than the demands of the mass market.
