Vines with a View

These healthy vines, on the north coast of Sicily near the town of Patti, overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aeolian Islands - with a postcard view of Salina and Stromboli. We visited the Gaglio estate in June 2012. A mother and daughter, Marisa and Flora, are helping to bring this once vibrant viticultural area back to life. Their consulting enologist, Salvatore Martinico, is one of the many young Sicilian winemakers who is making genuine wines from indigenous Sicilian vine varieties. These Grillo and Nero d'Avola vines (alongside some Cabernet Sauvignon for the estate's powerful Leda blend) sweep down the hillside beyond view. There is no cantina on the property - only an old palmento from the days of Flora's grandfather. Flora cherishes her girlhood memories of harvesting grapes alongside her grandfather. How delightful it would be to see Flora and her mother, Marisa (both architects by background), bring this palmento back to life!