Feudo Maccari, Saia Nero d'Avola, Sicily, Italy, 2021

Overview of the Wine
The Feudo Maccari lies just over a mile from the sea, and basks in a dry, sun drenched climate verging on torrid in the summer months. Mediterranean winds moderate the climate and aerate the clusters, and some irrigation is required during the hot, dry season. The vineyards lie 240 feet above sea level on southerly exposed slopes, and the predominant volcanic soil profile is mixed in a few areas with white sand and chalk deposits. The Nero d’Avola vines are trained on trees in the traditional Sicilian manner, with the other varieties to more conventional systems. The first vintage of Saia, composed entirely of Nero d’Avola, is in the 2002 vintage; experimentation continues with other varieties.

The diversity of the estates’ soil and climatic conditions dictates that cultivation and winemaking follow the demands of the environment and pursuit of quality. Yields are restricted, and at harvest the clusters are handpicked, sorted, destemmed, and put into a conveyer-belt apparatus which breaks the skins rather than crushes the berries. Fermentation takes place in a combination of temperature controlled stainless steel and lined open-top fermentors with maceration periods appropriate to the varietal in question followed by natural malolactic fermentation in tank. Cooperage consists primarily of 225-liter barriques with some capacity in 500-litre tonneaux, and is of new and one year’s use; length of oak contact depends on both the wine and vintage, but generally lasts for a period of twelve to eighteen months. A first blending of lots takes place when the wine is placed in barrique; a second at the first racking. The wines are then bottled with minimum intervention.

Winemaker
Antonio Moretti

Grape / Blend
100% Nero d'Avola

Origin
Sicily, Italy

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Saia, whose name comes from the Arabic word for irrigation canals built centuries ago to collect rainwater. The first label produced by Feudo Maccari in 2002 and the daughter of the home of choice for nero d’avola in southeastern Sicily. It represents our best selection of nero d’avola from vineyards grown exclusively as alberello vines that reach up to 40 years of age. This high-density form of vine training is the oldest and most natural. Dating back to the Greek colini, perfect for hot climates, it requires manual and maniacal care of each plant. In addition to philological recovery, the ultimate goal is always to have quality grapes for excellent production. A mix of white calcareous and black sandy soils, thanks to the proximity to the sea, ventilation and excellent exposure, make our Nero d’avola vinified in purity, prove to be an elegant, well-structured, complex, fine and charismatic red wine. The alberello method of cultivation and aging in French oak make it a unique wine in its category.