”The management of the estate is following the biodynamic procedures and we aim at obtaining the certification in more
or less 3 years planting, together with vines, also fruit trees, ancient grains and much more… secrets!”
The winery was born with the idea of setting a new collaboration between Sicily and France. Serra Ferdinandea in fact, is the joint venture between the French family Oddo and the Sicilian family Planeta with the final aim on one side of the Oddo family of having terroirs all over the most representative wine productive areas of the world and on the other side Planeta’s willingness of bringing in Sicily foreign investors, in a land that has traditionally seen people leave and now is living a new Renaissance.
Let’s go with Cecilia Carbone (marketing manager) to know more about this new winery.
How was born this project?
Cecilia Carbone: It was born as the best romantic stories with love at first sight between the two families that met through a common wine maker. The Oddo Family wanted to start a project in Sicily and Planeta wanted Sicily to acquire even more attention and Serra Ferdinandea was born. The project renews the connection in history and culture between France and Sicily from the Norman Kings down to Voltaire and Sciascia.
Today the estate is extended over 100 hectares total with 50 hectares of state-owned forest between 400 and 450 meters of altitude on the western edge of the Sicani Mountains between Sciacca and Sambuca di Sicilia.
C.C.: The vines planted today are 15 hectares growing to more or less 35 hectares within 2023. The idea was to showcase, even in the wines, the union between France and Sicily and this is why it was reflected in the grapes chosen to make the wines. They produce three wines: a red and a rosé which are a blend of Nero d’Avola and Syrah. and a white which is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Grillo.
Please can you describe your terroir and explain us the strengths of your terroir ?
C.C.: The terrains are the result of crumbling calcareous stone still visible along the edges. The lands were virgin not having felt the plough in years guaranteeing of a very strong microbial life and micro-organisms.
What is your wine signature? I mean what allow to recognize your wines in blind tasting ?
C.C.: If we had to pick a signature wine it would most likely be the white since its blend is unique and its main feature is to have grapes cultivated at more than 400 meters above the sea level.
If you have to introduce / resume the winery (wines, team, spirit) in just 3 or 4 words what do you want to say?
Natural blend of cultures and tradition!
Do you have any anecdote?
C.C.: The name Serra Ferdinandea comes from a volcanic island that appeared and disappeared in a matter of days in front of Sciacca in 1831 before anyone could place its flag on it. That island was Isola Ferdinandea. At that time French and Italians fought for this island. Today, in these wines France and Italy come together to complete each other through the
vision of these two families and with the grape varieties planted to make these wines.
Thanks to Cecilia carbone for her warm welcome. – J.C.C.
Serra Ferdinandea
Domaine en Sicile SRL Agricola
www.serraferdinandea.com
