Ferracane Elisir 2017

Marsala, Sicily

Fabio Ferracante is a child of art, his father was already bringing grapes to the Marsala cellars in the 1990s from the family's 3 hectares. At the age of 15, Fabio helped his father in the cellar and soon afterwards began studying oenology and travelling the world in search of work experience. It was precisely this background that led him to develop the idea that wine is not chemistry, but rather territory. In his vision, the oenologist is the guardian of the wine and not merely the one who adjusts it to make it drinkable. Fabio's wine is authentic. There are now 5 hectares under vine plus 2 more on the way, all free of systemic chemistry, where the typical grapes of the area are grown: Catarratto, Grillo and Nero d'Avola plus Merlot. Sulphur and copper treatments are also limited and closely related to the rainfall, and therefore humidity, of the year. The grapes are meticulously selected, and once they arrive in the cellar, the grapes ferment spontaneously by means of indigenous yeasts, and a homeopathic dose of pre-bottling sulphur dioxide is added. The rule is that the vinification process takes place without the addition of sulphites or temperature control, but sometimes, considering the Sicilian heat, these are indispensable. Fabio claims that his wines narrate the slow cultivation, uniqueness and beauty of his land.