Gulfi Vineyards

Founded in 1995, Gulfi  has quickly gained reputation as one of the finest Sicilian producers of Nero d’Avola and Carricante  from dry-farmed vineyards planted with old Alberello vines, in historical sites in the Monti Iblei and Pachino areas.

The winery, cellar, and part of the vineyards are found in the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG district [southeastern Sicily], deep in the heart of a century-old family estate owned by Vito Catania, a prominent Milanese businessman of Sicilian descent. Vito Catania began bottling wine at Gulfi from estate-grown Nero d’Avola grapes in 1996 vintage. Shortly after, Gulfi acquired new vineyards in the  Pachino / Val di Noto district, the true cradle whence Nero d’Avola originated and still regarded today as the premium terroir Sicily-wide for this fine indigenous variety.

Gulfi estate vineyards divide  into two separate properties: the Monti Iblei family estate (high-altitude vineyards lying on marly, compact soils rich in limestone) and the old vineyards in the Pachino / Val di Noto situated at sea-level and facing onto the coastline of south-eastern Sicily. Together, these amount to roughly 70 Ha., planted with old-vine Nero d’Avola tended with the ancient Alberello technique [Goblet bushvines], including plots of vines well over 50 years old.

Gulfi owns today four among the finest and most historical crus of Nero d’Avola  in Sicily: Bufaleffi / Maccari / Baroni / San Lorenzi / Archi. Gulfi estate vineyards also harbor a few rows of Carricante, by and large the most interesting and promising white varietal of Sicily. Late-ripening, low-yielding and labor-demanding, Carricante results in racy, nervy whites of great longevity, powerful acidity, low alcohol and subtle aromatics. Starting with vintage 2004, Gulfi is certified organic by AIAB [Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica].