Alessandro Viola’s father was a vine grower although other than a few bottles of homemade wine he never saw the fruit of his hard work in the vineyard into bottle. Alessandro was fascinated by grape growing from an early age and after a few vintages of self-teaching he decided to get a formal education and study oenology. During his university studies he steered away from the mechanical side of winemaking he was being taught and decided to study the science. The idea that nothing needed to be added or taken away from the wine if the grapes, soil and winemaking were all working together became his mantra. After his university degree he worked in the north of Italy and then for a larger winemaker on Mt Etna, however he had never forgotten the wines he had made before, without anything added and made by hand.
So he started making wine for himself, first with a friend Uva Tantum, and now alone using his name Alessandro Viola. He cultivates 7 hectares of organically managed vines worked strictly by hand. The vineyards are located in 2 areas, the first in Pietra Rinosa close to Alcamo in the north-western tip of Sicily, the soil is made of clay and the vineyards sit at 200m above sea level taking a large influence from the ocean. The second vineyards in Fastuchera are higher at 400 meters; the soil is calcareous producing more minerals driven and finer wines.
He is strictly committed to growing and championing local varieties. Catarratto, Grillo, Nero D’avola and Nerello Mascalesse make up his repertoire. His style is unique and his commitment to organic practices and no additions is something to behold.
As with all of our producers, we will be donating part of the proceeds from sales to a non-profit close to our heart. For Alessandro Viola, we have chosen to donate to the Food Banks of Alberta. please check them out.
Note di Rosso
Nero D'Avola 80%, Syrah 10%, Nerello Mascalese 10%.
13.5% ABV
This blend of Nero D'Avola 80%, Syrah 10%, Nerello Mascalese 10%. This wine comes from both vineyard sites in Fastuchera and Pietra Rinosa. The grapes see a short 10 day maceration on skins and spend 6 months in barrel before being bottled unfiltered and unsulphured. To drink this is pure joy in a glass, bright, juicy, and very glou-glou.
SKU: 858874 | 6 to a case | 750 ml, glass, cork
Rosé
Nero D'Avola
11.5% ABV
Grapes are from younger vines are in clay and sandy soils 250 meters in elevation. Spontaneous fermentation at uncontrolled temperature, with native yeasts in steel, aging in steel tank for 6 months, bright and joyful rose. A fresh, and aromatic, bursting with flavors of fresh raspberries.
SKU: 863581 | 6 to a case | 750 ml, glass, cork
Le Mie Orgini
Catarratto
Le Mie Origini is the wine of memories for Alessandro, of vintages spent in the vineyard tasting catarratto. The vines for Le Mie Origini (My Origins) were planted by the grandfather more than 30 years ago, they grow up on the mountain pass at 500-600m altitude. Limestone soils, north-east exposition, underground water, and cool sea breeze are ideal for cataratto. A variety which is able to express terroir like no other according to Alessandro. Usually picked at the end of September, the grapes go through one night maceration into the press, fermentation and aging happens for nine months in 2,500ltr bottles with well-judged lees stirring and no SO2 added until bottling (10-20mg/l).
Deep in color while the palate is round and rich, complex flavors of juicy peach, spiced apricot, fresh hay, and peated cereal – an aromatic profile reminiscent of the best white Châteauneuf-du-Papes.
SKU: 858875 | 6 to a case | 750 ml, glass, cork
Sinfonia di Bianco
100% Grillo
12.5% ABV
These grapes come from Alessandro's top sites (Santa Ninfa/Pietrarenosa) in the Alcamese hinterland above the idyllic Gulf of Castellammare on western Sicily's northern coast. The grapes are harvested slightly overripe and see a 3-day maceration prior to pressing and élevage in old chestnut barrels for seven months its pallet is deep and ripe with herbaceous high tones. Unfined, unfiltered, minimal SO2 at bottling. Honey, citrus, stonefruit - magical.
SKU: 863576 | 6 to a case | 750 ml, glass, cork
Note di Bianco
100% Grillo
12.5% ABV
The grapes come from Santa Ninfa and Pietrarenosa down the valley (250m) on clayey soils. Alessandro points out that grillo is a strong variety which adapts easily to drought and consistently delivers quality and quantity. Vines are 15yo, grapes were harvested early September at 40hh and directly pressed. It was fermented and aged in stainless steel before early bottling in January with 20mg/l SO2 added. fruit forward with lovely pear skin bitters, it is joyful, fresh, lifted by a citrusy and salty finish. An extremely smashable wine.
SKU: 886781 | 12 to a case | 750 ml, glass, cork
Caricat
Carricante (70%), Catarratto (30%)
12% ABV
The gentle and stylish Carricante (70%), grown at 500 mt facing north, is co-fermented with the more sturdy and intense Catarratto (30%). A few hours on skin, then pressed and aged for a few months in fiberglass. Salty and mineral with notes of white flowers and yellow fruit. Plenty of acid and freshness but also depth and texture
SKU: 886782 | 6 to a case | 750 ml, glass, cork