Feudi del Pisciotto
Sicily, Niscemi, near Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Italy
Feudi del Pisciotto is a Sicilian wine estate built around an interesting mix of old and new. The winery occupies a historic palmento, a traditional building once used for crushing grapes, which has been carefully restored alongside a modern cellar. The estate sits near Niscemi in south-eastern Sicily, close to the Cerasuolo di Vittoria appellation and just a few kilometres from the sea. Its vineyards benefit from the warm Mediterranean climate, with the surrounding nature reserve and varied soils adding to the character of the site.
The estate’s philosophy was strongly influenced by Giacomo Tachis, one of Italy’s most important modern winemakers. Tachis believed Sicily could successfully grow almost any grape variety with the right vineyard work and winemaking, and Feudi del Pisciotto puts that idea into practice. Alongside native varieties such as Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Grillo and Catarratto, the estate grows international grapes including Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Nero d’Avola remains central to the range, producing reds with ripe dark fruit, spice and a generous, velvety texture. Frappato brings a lighter, more fragrant side of Sicily, with bright red berries and freshness. The estate also makes Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the island’s only DOCG red wine, blending Nero d’Avola with Frappato to balance structure and fruit with a more lifted, aromatic character.
Some of the more ambitious wines explore less expected territory. L’Eterno is a 100% Pinot Noir, inspired by Tachis and made to show how this Burgundy variety can express itself in Sicily. Moro di Testa blends Syrah and Nero d’Avola, while Alaziza combines Viognier and Zibibbo for an aromatic white with peach, exotic fruit and floral notes. The estate also produces Passito Tachis, a sweet wine made from Gewürztraminer and Sémillon rather than the more traditional Sicilian Zibibbo.
Feudi del Pisciotto is an interesting example of a Sicilian estate that respects local varieties while being willing to experiment. The wines range from fresh, uncomplicated whites to structured reds and more unusual blends, with labels designed by leading Italian fashion designers adding another distinctive touch. The underlying idea remains the same: Sicily has the climate and diversity to do far more than one style of wine, and this estate is keen to show it.
