VINACRIA - ORTIGIA WINE FEST

From 14 to 16 December, Siracusa will be an active container in which to move strengths and weaknesses, listening and dialogue, connecting all the aspects and themes that contribute, today, to making the Sicilian wine region a region of great prestige.

Over 60 participating wineries but there will be no shortage of oils and spirits from the island during the three days of tastings, 13 masterclasses and insights in which guests and tasters of national caliber will participate: exploring the richness of Sicilian wines, promoting the culture of drinking and celebrating the excellence of the territory. The Godot Cultural Association: "With Vinacria we want to offer a unique experience, which allows not only to taste the most representative wines of our region, but also to learn about the stories, traditions and people behind every glass".

Three days of storytelling and total immersion in the universe of Sicilian wine, including tastings, meetings with producers, cultural events and workshops dedicated to the valorization of viticulture and the productive excellence of the island: from 14 to 16 December 2024 , Syracuse will host the first edition of Vinacria - Ortigia Wine Fest which will be held at the Antico Mercato di Ortigia (Via Emmanuele de Benedictis), an initiative that promises to become an unmissable event for all lovers of good drinking and Sicilian culture. Marco De Bartoli, Federico Graziani, Frank Cornelissen, Caravaglio, Feudo Montoni are just some of the over 60 wineries present, divided into the three ancient valleys (Val di Mazara, Val di Noto Val Dèmone) and Etna to which a specific area will be dedicated (in reality the ancient subdivision of the Sicilian valleys included Catania within the Val di Noto with a portion of southern and south-eastern Etna): “ We are thrilled to present the first edition of Vinacria, a unique event that celebrates the extraordinary richness of Sicilian wine and wine culture - declare Giada Capriotti and Silvano Serenari of the Godot Cultural Association - with Vinacria we want to offer an immersive experience, which allows not only to taste the most representative wines of our island, but also to learn about the stories, traditions and people behind every glass”. There will also be space for oil with the companies Viveretna, Tondo, Sciabacco and Di Mino and there will be no shortage of insights and masterclasses on monovarietal oils and IGP oils of Sicily curated by IRVO: " The participation of the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil at the Vinacria Ortigia Wine Fest 2024 is also an opportunity to launch, in preview, the recognition of Sicily as "European Region of Food and Wine 2025" - underlines Giusi Mistretta , commissioner of IRVO - an opportunity to highlight Sicilian excellence in the field of viticulture and olive growing ". Among the novelties also the tasting area with Volcano Gin, the Giovi distillery which will demonstrate how distillation works and Ardeaseal which will present the new cap obtained from plant biopolymers, will also be present with a tasting stand dedicated to Italian and French wines. The food area is entrusted to Kaleido with sushi, Fuori Ortigia Cucineria with tapas and Fratelli Burgio with sandwiches.

The event organized by the Godot Cultural Association has received the patronage of the Municipality of Syracuse, the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil, the Regional Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries, the Sicilian Region, the Sicilian Regional Assembly, the Chamber of Commerce of South East Sicily and is included in the calendar of activities of the European Region of Gastronomy 2025. Main sponsors Unigroup Spa, Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection and AD Pugliese SPA. It starts on Saturday 14 December at 11 with the inaugural conference "VINACRIA - Wine is culture" where the winemaker and oenologist Salvo Foti will also be present (free event), at 12:00 the presentation of " The sea hides the stars " by Francesca Barra with the presence of Remon Karam , "the boy who came from the waves" (free event). The event will continue at 3:00 pm with a tasting led by sommelier Alessandro Carrubba on Baroque and Moscato: the sublimity of Val di Noto. Wine and art, connections and synesthesia . At 4:00 pm the tasting tables will open and at 4:30 pm the masterclass “ Traveling sparkling wines, Sicilian bubbles ” led by Champagne Expert Manlio Giustiniani . At 5:30 pm the taster and Decanter collaborator Raffaele Mosca will talk about “ Shades of pink: characteristics and differences of Sicilian rosés ”. At 6.30pm focus on “ Perpetuo and Marsala: two souls, one territory” with the IRVO winemaker Gianni Giardina and the head Sommelier of Villa Igiea of Palermo Mauro Lo Iacono , closing at 7.30pm with “ Wine is geography: the many faces of Nero d'Avola ” with Federico Latteri , taster and collaborator of Doctor Wine.

Sunday 15 December starts at 11:00 with the masterclass “ Etna and longevity: Carricante ”, at 12 the opening of the tasting stands and at 12:30 “ If I were wine… the young people of Generazione Next tell their stories through the wine they identify with ” Benedetto Alessandro (Alessandro di Camporeale), Federica Bonetta (Cristo di Campobello), Maria Ausilia Borzì (Serafica Terra di Olio e Vino), Serena Costanzo (Palmento Costanzo), Graziano Nicosia (Cantine Nicosia) and Luigia Sergio (Barone Sergio). At 3:00 pm Cinzia Benzi presents “ Chateau d'Yquem: the secrets of a legendary wine ” (free event), at 4:00 pm the cultural events continue with the presentation of the book "Tania - One plus one doesn't make two" by Chiara Allibrio (free event) and at 5:00 pm there will also be space for the “ Monovarietal oils of Sicily ” curated by Michele Riccobono, manager of the IRVO oil control and certification body. Don't miss the appointment with Marco Reitano , head sommelier of the 3 Michelin star restaurant “La Pergola” in Rome, who will talk about “ The role of the Sommelier: the importance of on-the-job training and effective communication ”. Last but not least, Pietro Russo , oenologist and Master of Wine, will lead the tasting at 7:30 pm on “ Wine and contemporaneity. Styles and trends: how Sicilian viticulture adapts ”.

Monday 16 December , a day dedicated to Ho.Re.Ca sector operators starting at 10:00 but during the morning there will be several masterclasses open to all. At 11:00 Presentation of the new issue of UniGusto – the magazine for Ho.Re.Ca professionals – and official launch of Uniday Expo 2025 (free event). At 12:00 on the program “ #fuorizona: blind tasting ” with Chiara Allibrio , “fuori zona” taster, at 15:00 the masterclass “ Oli IGP di Sicilia ” by Michele Riccobono and, at 16:00, the presentation of the magazine GEN ZED by Federico Graziani (free event). Closing entrusted to Giada Capriotti with the masterclass “ Unconventional: Sicilian wines between custody and rebellion ”.

Cellars present :

The Val di Noto : Marilina Cellars, Maccari Feud, Pianogrillo Barons, Angelo Di Grazia, Fausta Mansio, Sergio Baron, Rio Favara, Zisola, Losi Migranti Vines, Rudinì, Pupillo Cellars, Salvatore Marino, Gurrieri, Pisciotto Feuds, Grazia House and Palmeri. The Val di Mazara : Intorcia, Marco De Bartoli, Christ of Campobello, Alessandro of Camporeale, Of the Princes of Spadafora, Martinico & Sons, Mandrarossa, Montoni Feud, Pellegrino, Giuseppe Cipolla, Alessandro Viola, Agricola Fiore, Gaudioso, Bonsignore and Botticella Estates.

Val Dèmone : Caravaglio, Le Casematte, Principi di Mola, Tenuta Enza la Fauci and Vigneti Verzera.

Etna : Nicosia Estates, Palmento San Basilio Estates, Serafica Land of Oil and Wine, Russo Cellars, The Keepers of the Etna Vineyards, Federico Graziani, Palmento Costanzo, Pietradolce, Cottanera, Masseria Setteporte, SRC, Stanza Terrena, Frank Cornelissen Farm, Nobody's Cellars, Fessina Estates, Rachele's Company, Zumbo, Al-Cantàra, Le Due Tenute, Giò Emmanuele Etna Wines, Raciti, Tornatore and Vitanova Farm