The wine estate and the rhythms of the countryside

Vineyards in production 260 hectares (642 acres)
Our properties Contessa Entellina (Mazzaporro, Duchessa, Miccina, Casale Bianco, Arcera), Sambuca di Sicilia (Pandolfina), Santa Margherita Belìce (Predicatore)
Estate cru Vigna di Gabri
Location Southwestern Sicily; longitude: 13.04° east; latitude: 37.73° north
Altitude From 200 to 600 meters (656-1,968 ft.)
Orography Hilly
Soils Clayey with a sub-alkaline reaction. Total limestone from 10 to 30%. Rich in nutritive elements (P, K, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn)
Climate Mild winters with little rainfall. Hot, dry summers characterized by substantial fluctuations between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Average annual rainfall, 550 millimeters
The vineyards: training system Counter-espalier, with wooden stakes and stainless steel wires
Planting density From 4,500 to 6,000 vines per hectare (1,822-2,429 an acre)
Yield per hectare Varying from 4.0 to 8.5 tons per hectare (1.62-3.4 tons an acre), corresponding in the various planting combinations to 0.8 to 1.7 kilos (1.76 - 3.78 lbs.) per vine
Pruning systems The vines are pruned in the spurred cordon system; 6 to 10 buds are left on each vine
White grapes Ansonica, Catarratto, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Viognier
Red grapes Nero d’Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Rhythms of the countryside At the first rains in November, the soil is harrowed. Pruning begins in early December. Fertilizers (primarily organic) are worked into the soil in the first half of December. In January, the last of the fertilizer is applied and the soil is harrowed a second time. Budding occurs in March and the first green pruning is carried out and will continue in April. In the second half of June and throughout July, the load of grapes on the vines is defined through cluster thinning; the last harrowing is carried out.
Cluster thinning To obtain grapes in which aromas are highly concentrated, some of the clusters (about 30%) are eliminated at veraison, 40-50 days before the harvest.
The harvest Harvest begins in the second decade of August with the Chardonnay. During the third decade we pick Viognier and Merlot. At the end of August or in the first days of September it is the time for Syrah. The other red varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Nero d’Avola, as well as the white Ansonica, Catarratto and Grecanico are harvested in September.
Winery Duchessa hamlet of the commune of Contessa Entellina