Pellegrino: wine with a sea breeze and volcanic power

Sicily is sun, sea, good food and delicious wine with a unique character. Carlo Pellegrino, of Sicily's Cantine Pellegrino, is today's headliner. WINELIFE takes a look at this organic wine producer.
Text: Charlotte van Zummeren Image: Cantine Pellegrino

Why are Sicily's wines so special? The influence of the sea on the climate is great. Because of Mount Etna, Sicily's soil is highly volcanic, which means the wines are often powerful in flavour. The Pellegrino family has been making wines in Sicily since 1880 (!). The winery's vineyards are located in the western part of Sicily. The area for winemaking, with a wide variety of microclimates and terroirs. Cantine Pellegrino works organically in the vineyards and in the cellar.

Head in the sun

Pellegrino has 150 hectares of vineyard, spread over several areas around the city of Marsala. The Salinaro vineyard is closest to the sea. They are 14 hectares, with lots of lime in the soil. This is good for the grapes. The sea is close by and therefore there is always water, the grapes stand with their heads in the sun and feet in the water. Grape variety grillo does very well here.