The estate of Tenute Senia was founded in 1850 by the family Nicosia in the Senia district of the province of Ragusa and now consists of 17 hectares total. The vineyards lie on the sides of Mont Iblei at 300 meters above sea level on a southwest exposure. The red soil is clay and sand mixed with stones. The relatively infertile terrain encourages the concentrated structure with a light color and beautiful aromatics. There are 4,000 plants per hectare. The estate prides itself on its sustainable agriculture. Wild fennel, myrtle and mustard along with other wild herbs grow spontaneously between the vineyard rows.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily’s first and only DOCG. The name Cerasuolo, it is said, refers to its beautiful cherry red color. Legend goes that the viticultural heritage of the area is due in large part to Vittoria Colonna, Contessa of Modica who founded the city of Vittoria in 1606 and offered the first 75 settlers a hector of land if they promised to produce another hectare of vineyard. The main grapes planted were Nero d’Avola, also known as Nero Calabrese, and Frappato. Frappato is an indigenous grape grown only in Sicily. Its special floral, ripe cherry and ginger qualities are what give Cerasuolo di Vittoria its uniqueness. The rich red soil of sand and small stones together with the warm microclimate of Southern Sicily combine to produce a wine of finesse and enticing fragrance with a fresh, lengthy finish. The marriage of Nero d’Avola and Frappato is a union blessed by Bacchus but both grapes are also spectacular as monovarietals. The Nicosios make Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Vittoria Nero d’Avola DOC and Vittoria Frappato DOC. They also make exceptional IGT versions just outside the Vittoria area.
Generations of Nicosios have researched the indigenous clones of Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Grillo and Insolia to ensure a production that is genuine and which uses only original clones. The 7th generation, the sisters, Valentina and Angela, now run the estate and they are no less fanatical than their predecessors in the protecting the purity of their wines. In a time when most Sicilian producers are busily planting international varietals such as Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah, traditionalists such as Valentina and Angela Nicosio are all too few. From the time of the Greeks and Romans, this area of Southern Sicily has been known for its exceptional wine production. Valentina and Angela are working hard to keep this venerable tradition alive.
