Guccione
Francesco Guccione is a Sicilian winemaker belonging to a family that has been practicing viticulture for more generations. Today he is the custodian of 9 hectares of land, of which 6 are cultivated with vineyards and 3 with ancient grain varieties, located in the Contrada Cerasa, in the territory of Monreale, between the municipalities of Piana degli Albanesi and San Cipirello, where the winery is located. Since 2012, with the recovery of part of his father's vineyards, Francesco has adopted a biodynamic agriculture, understood as a privileged way to recover the ancient traditions of the territory: “I realized that a good part of the biodynamic techniques have always been used without knowing they were biodynamic.”
Francesco Guccione's vineyards are located at about 500 meters above sea level and are cultivated without resorting to invasive practices or emergency irrigation. Spontaneous herb cover crops are practiced during the winter season while in summer, manual mowing and hoeing allow the soil to be oxygenated and stimulate vegetation. The cultivated varieties are mainly Catarratto and Perricone, as well as Trebbiano, present in the Contrada Cerasa since the '400, and Nerello Mascalese, planted by Francesco's great-grandfather. In the winery, work is done so that the wine produced “is the faithful representation of the vintage and the terroir,” limiting itself to accompanying the natural transformation of sugars into alcohol. For this reason, Francesco has decided not to use additives, enzymes, or added bacteria, allowing the must to ferment spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and renouncing modern technologies.
Guccione wines are unique and fascinating expressions of the territory of the Valle del Belice, the result of a very close relationship between the winemaker and his land. The indigenous grape varieties are interpreted in their most authentic nature, free to express themselves fully and directly. Consistent with a traditionalist and strongly territorial production philosophy, the corks are made from a rare variety of local cork, possibly sealed with beeswax. These wines are now appreciated by an ever-widening circle of enthusiasts, who have recognized in Francesco a point of reference in the Sicilian landscape.
Francesco Guccione is a Sicilian winemaker belonging to a family that has been practicing viticulture for more generations. Today he is the custodian of 9 hectares of land, of which 6 are cultivated with vineyards and 3 with ancient grain varieties, located in the Contrada Cerasa, in the territory of Monreale, between the municipalities of Piana degli Albanesi and San Cipirello, where the winery is located. Since 2012, with the recovery of part of his father's vineyards, Francesco has adopted a biodynamic agriculture, understood as a privileged way to recover the ancient traditions of the territory: “I realized that a good part of the biodynamic techniques have always been used without knowing they were biodynamic.”
Francesco Guccione's vineyards are located at about 500 meters above sea level and are cultivated without resorting to invasive practices or emergency irrigation. Spontaneous herb cover crops are practiced during the winter season while in summer, manual mowing and hoeing allow the soil to be oxygenated and stimulate vegetation. The cultivated varieties are mainly Catarratto and Perricone, as well as Trebbiano, present in the Contrada Cerasa since the '400, and Nerello Mascalese, planted by Francesco's great-grandfather. In the winery, work is done so that the wine produced “is the faithful representation of the vintage and the terroir,” limiting itself to accompanying the natural transformation of sugars into alcohol. For this reason, Francesco has decided not to use additives, enzymes, or added bacteria, allowing the must to ferment spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and renouncing modern technologies.
Guccione wines are unique and fascinating expressions of the territory of the Valle del Belice, the result of a very close relationship between the winemaker and his land. The indigenous grape varieties are interpreted in their most authentic nature, free to express themselves fully and directly. Consistent with a traditionalist and strongly territorial production philosophy, the corks are made from a rare variety of local cork, possibly sealed with beeswax. These wines are now appreciated by an ever-widening circle of enthusiasts, who have recognized in Francesco a point of reference in the Sicilian landscape.
