One of the first iconic Sicilian wines
Vinous 92 Pts |
Winery Zisola - Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) | Grape varieties 100% Nero d'Avola | Alcohol 13,49% | Total acidity 6,47% |
Vineyards location 3 parcelle (Piscina, Sopra Navel, Mandorleto) 95-130 a.s.l.; S/E exposure | Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral with a good rocky structure | Agriculture Organic (in conversion) | Vineyards age 11 - 16 years |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines | Nr. of vines for hectare 5,550 | Harvest Hand picked from September 18th | Fermentation Naturally in small stainless steel tanks without any addition of yeast or temperature control |
Maceration Over 30 days on the skins | Malolactic Fermentation Spontaneous in oak | Ageing Over 16 months in 500 lt Tonneaux (medium toasting - 50% new) | Finissage Over 4 months in concrete tanks |
Filtration Unfiltered | Bottling December 2021 | Available on the market May 2023 | Production 20.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt | First vintage 2006 | Ageing potential Over 20 years | Key descriptor Intense, pronounced spices and fruit flavors, powerful and elegant texture |
Robert Parker 93 Pts | Falstaff 93 Pts |
Winter temperatures were lower than average, with some frosts and a moderate amount of rain which gave the plants a healthy start. Mild spring temperatures aided vegetative growth and fruit set, which ended with the onset of heat on 3 June. It was an atypical summer for Sicily, with unstable temperatures that at times soared above 40°C (104°F) but also dropped off sharply at night, and constant light showers. This pushed the harvest back to ten days later than in previous years. The end result, however, was very satisfactory: a range of elegant wines fully in line with Zisola’s qualitative standards.
Beginning of the harvest: September 4th
End of the harvest: October 14th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 185 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4108 °C
Evaluation: Good
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties Nero d'Avola |
Alcohol 13.17% |
Total acidity 6.54% |
Vineyards location 3 parcels (Piscina, Sopra Navel, Mandorleto) 95-130 m (310-425 ft) a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral with a good rocky structure |
Vineyards age 10 - 15 years |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines - Organic agricolture (in conversion) |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 10th |
Vinification Natural fermentation in small stainless steel tanks without any addition of yeast or temperature control |
Period of maceration 30 days |
Ageing Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in oak - Over 16 months in 500 lt Tonneaux (medium toasting - 50% new) |
Finissage Over 4 months in concrete tanks |
Bottling December 2020 |
Available on the market October 2021 |
Production 20.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Intense, pronounced spices and fruit flavors, powerful and elegant texture |
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Doctor Wine 95 Pts |
James Suckling 93 Pts |
Decanter 92 Pts |
Vinous 92 Pts |
Wine Spectator 91 Pts |
Winescritic.com 90 Pts |
After a 2017 year characterised by severe drought, but with temperatures lower than the average, 2018 began with little rain which, however, did not affect the shoot growth from the end of March.
Spring was mild until May, when the climate dramatically changed, with a drop in temperature and very strong rainfall. Summer, too, was quite temperate, with many heavy showers; therefore, the harvest was postponed for 15 days.
This climatic trend continued throughout September, with mild temperatures during the day and cool ones at night, which favoured the proper ripening of the grapes. The result is satisfactory and confirms the results obtained in the previous years, with very elegant wines.
Beginning of the harvest: August 22nd
End of the harvest: September 28th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 273 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4130 °C
Evaluation: Good
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties Nero d'Avola |
Alcohol 14.38% |
Total acidity 6.30% |
Vineyards location 3 parcels (Piscina, Sopra Navel, Mandorleto) 95-130 m (310-425 ft) a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral with a good rocky structure |
Vineyards age 9 - 14 years |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines - Organic agricolture (in conversion) |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 9th |
Fermentation temperature 28 - 30° C |
Period of maceration 30 days |
Ageing Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in oak - Over 16 months in 500 lt Tonneaux (medium toasting - 50% new) |
Finissage 4 months in concrete tanks |
Bottling December 2019 |
Available on the market November 2020 |
Production 13.800 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Intense, pronounced spices and fruit flavors, powerful and elegant texture |
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Decanter 96 Pts |
Doctor Wine 94 Pts |
Falstaff 93 Pts |
Vinous 92 Pts |
Wine Advocate 92 Pts |
Wine Spectator 91 Pts |
James Suckling 90 Pts |
This vintage was characterised by a severe drought. In winter the temperatures were in line with the period, with a vigorous growth in March.
Summer was one of the hottest in the last ten years, with temperature peaks reaching 43 ° C several times between June and July. In the third decade of August, surprisingly, abundant rainfalls restored the balance of the vintage; however, the harvest was brought forward 10 days for the white grapes.
This climatic trend, with warm temperatures during the day and cool ones at night, promoted the health situation of the grape and bunches, which featured a thick skin. The result is good and confirms the trend of the previous years, with acid wines rich in colouring substances.
Beginning of the harvest: 16 August
End of the harvest: 2 October
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 225 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,188°C
Evaluation: Very good
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties Nero d'Avola |
Alcohol 13.22% |
Total acidity 6.43% |
Vineyards location 3 parcels (Piscina, Sopra Navel, Mandorleto) 95-130 m (310-425 ft) a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral with a good rocky structure |
Vineyards age 8 - 13 years |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines - Organic agricolture (in conversion) |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 12th |
Fermentation temperature 28 - 30° C |
Period of maceration 16 days |
Ageing 16 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt / 50% new) |
Finissage 4 months in concrete tanks |
Bottling December 2017 |
Available on the market June 2018 |
Production 13.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Muscular, explosive spices and fruit flavors, thick but elegant taste |
Food pairing Roasted meats, spicy stews, aged cheeses |
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Fasltaff 91 Pts |
James Suckling 91 Pts |
Vinous 91 Pts |
Annata caratterizzata da forte siccità infatti dopo le piogge avute alla fine di Ottobre 2015 fino all'arrivo della primavera si sono registrati solo 49 mm di pioggia, si è assistito ad un inverno con temperature sopra la media di 6°C, e conseguentemente una ripresa vegetativa anticipata di almeno dieci giorni rispetto la media. Anticipo che si è avuto durante tutto il corso della campagna, fino ad arrivare alla seconda settimana del mese di agosto dove non con poca preoccupazione si sono avuti acquazzoni che hanno ristabilito il giusto andamento dell'annata e ripulito le piante e l'aria da tutto il secco avuto fino ad allora. Da ricordare sicuramente le due ondate di caldo che ha investito la Sicilia la prima a cavallo tra giugno e luglio e la seconda i primi giorni di agosto toccando punte di 42°C.
Il ciclo vegetativo, in generale, si è avvalso all'inizio di temperature calde di giorno e fresche di notte, che ha fatto si che il germogliamento è risultato anticipato rispetto alla scorsa annata di circa dieci giorni, così come la fioritura (iniziata dopo la metà di maggio) cui è seguita una buona allegagione; anche l’invaiatura ha subito un anticipo rispetto alla media stagionale.
Questo andamento climatico e meteorico ha favorito una buona sanità sia per la vite che per i grappoli che sono arrivati con una buccia consistente fino alla vendemmia. Il risultato è stato molto soddisfacente e sicuramente in evoluzione rispetto le annate precedenti con vini ricchi di sostanze coloranti e acidità non indifferenti.
Inizio Vendemmia: 31/08
Fine Vendemmia: 27/09
Piogge (Somma delle precipitazioni dal 1/4 al 30/9): 225 mm
Indice Temperature (Somma della temperatura media giornaliera dal 1/4 al 30/9): 4202°C
Valutazione: Eccezionale
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties Nero d'Avola |
Alcohol 13.70% |
Total acidity 6.14% |
Vineyards location 3 parcels (Piscina, Sopra Navel, Mandorleto) 95-130 m (310-425 ft) a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral with a good rocky structure |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines - Organic agricolture (in conversion) |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 21st |
Fermentation temperature 28 - 30° C |
Period of maceration 16 days |
Ageing 16 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt / 50% new) |
Bottling December 2017 |
Available on the market June 2018 |
Production 13.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Muscular, explosive spices and fruit flavors, thick but elegant taste |
Food pairing Roasted meats, spicy stews, aged cheeses |
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Doctor Wine 93 Pts |
Falstaff 92 Pts |
Winescritic.com 92 Pts |
James Suckling 91 Pts |
I Vini di Veronelli 90 Pts |
The 2013 year in Sicily was characterised by unusual weather conditions, somehow in line with the previous year. In winter the weather was mainly unsettled with temperatures higher than the seasonal average values by 3° C. The blossoming - which occurred at the end of March for Nero Avola - and the growth in April were accompanied by a high humidity, followed by ideal conditions for flowering in the first decade of May. In summer the weather was stable with a low rainfall level, together with sirocco in the second half of June and in the first decade of July. From the middle of August, the average temperatures fell below the average values. The lack of significant rainfall and the low relative humidity enhanced the ripening of the grapes, featuring a high amount of colorants and refined aromatic substances.
Beginning of the harvest: 28/08
End of the harvest: 24/09
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 98 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,369°C
Evaluation: Good / Very good
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties 80% Nero d'Avola, 20% Syrah |
Alcohol 14.65% |
Total acidity 6.32% |
Vineyards location 3 parcels (Piscina, Sopra Navel, Mandorleto) 95-130 m (310-425 ft) a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral with a good rocky structure |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines - Organic agricolture (in conversion) |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 18th (Nero d'Avola), from August 30th (Syrah) |
Fermentation temperature 28 - 30° C |
Period of maceration 16 days |
Ageing 16 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt / 50% new) |
Bottling December 2016 |
Available on the market June 2017 |
Production 13.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Muscular, explosive spices and fruit flavors, thick but elegant taste |
Food pairing Roasted meats, spicy stews, aged cheeses |
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James Suckling 92 Pts |
Wine Spectator 91 Pts |
I Vini di Veronelli 90 Pts |
The winter temperature and rainfall until the middle of March were slightly higher than average.
This dry period was characterised by temperature conditions that were perfect for the constant and continuous growth of the vines and grapes.
The grapes ripened perfectly from a health and maturity point of view. The harvest gave exceptional grapes, in particular for the Nero d’Avola , with high concentrations of colour, excellent acidity and PH content and a balanced sugar content.
Beginning harvest: 28/08
End of harvest: 20/09
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 44mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4338°C
Evaluation: Very good / Excellent (Nero D’Avola)
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties 90% Nero d'Avola, 10% Syrah |
Alcohol 14.50% |
Total acidity 6.00% |
Vineyards location 3 parcels (Piscina, Sopra Navel, Mandorleto) 95-130 m (310-425 ft) a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral with a good rocky structure |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines - Organic agricolture (in conversion) |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 7th (Nero d'Avola), from August 30th (Syrah) |
Fermentation temperature 28 - 30° C |
Period of maceration 14 - 16 days |
Ageing 16 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt / 50% new) |
Bottling December 2015 |
Available on the market June 2016 |
Production 13.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Muscular, explosive spices and fruit flavors, thick but elegant taste |
Food pairing Roasted meats, spicy stews, aged cheeses |
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I Vini di Veronelli 94 Pts |
James Suckling 93 Pts |
Wine Advocate 92 Pts |
Wine Spectator 90 Pts |
The 2013 year in Sicily was characterised by unusual weather conditions, somehow in line with the previous year. In winter the weather was mainly unsettled with temperatures higher than the seasonal average values by 3° C. The blossoming - which occurred at the end of March for Nero Avola - and the growth in April were accompanied by a high humidity, followed by ideal conditions for flowering in the first decade of May. In summer the weather was stable with a low rainfall level, together with sirocco in the second half of June and in the first decade of July. From the middle of August, the average temperatures fell below the average values. The lack of significant rainfall and the low relative humidity enhanced the ripening of the grapes, featuring a high amount of colorants and refined aromatic substances.
Beginning of the harvest: 28/08
End of the harvest: 24/09
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 98 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,369°C
Evaluation: Good / Very good
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties 80% Nero d'Avola, 20% Syrah |
Alcohol 14.08% |
Total acidity 6.34% |
Vineyards location 130 m.a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 18th (Nero d'Avola), from August 30th (Syrah) |
Fermentation temperature 28 - 30° C |
Period of maceration 14 - 16 days |
Ageing 16 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt / 50% new) |
Bottling December 2014 |
Available on the market May 2015 |
Production 7.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Muscular, explosive spices and fruit flavors, thick but elegant taste |
Food pairing Roasted meats, spicy stews, aged cheeses |
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James Suckling 93 Pts |
Wine Advocate 92 Pts |
Wine Spectator 90 Pts |
Vinous 90 Pts |
This year Zisola benefited from optimal weather conditions. Therefore, this harvest is particularly promising, with a concentrated wine characterised by strong fruity scents and bright colours. After a winter period mainly cold and rainy, the rain was abundant until the middle of March. Spring was hot and dry, with temperatures already reaching 30°C in the first half of the season. Summer was warmer than the seasonal average values, with small and positive increases in the temperatures in July and August. Thanks to the poor rain in summer, the conditions were ideal for the phytosanitary health of the grapes. The lack of rain persisted even after the harvest.
Beginning of the harvest: 29/08
End of the harvest: 22/09
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 104 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,440 °C
Evaluation: Good
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties 80% Nero d'Avola, 20% Syrah |
Alcohol 14.40% |
Total acidity 6.10% |
Vineyards location 130 m.a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 10th (Nero d'Avola), from August 29th (other grapes) |
Fermentation temperature 28 - 30° C |
Period of maceration 14 - 16 days |
Ageing 16 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt / 50% new) |
Bottling June 2013 |
Available on the market February 2014 |
Production 14.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Muscular, explosive spices and fruit flavors, thick but elegant taste |
Food pairing Roasted meats, spicy stews, aged cheeses |
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Wine Advocate 91 Pts |
Wine Spectator 91 Pts |
In autumn and winter the rain was particularly abundant in terms of both the rainfall in mm and the number of rainy days; this low-pressure system coming from Northern Africa increased the average winter temperatures by about 1.5 ° C with respect to the average values recorded in the last 15 years. This condition anticipated the blossoming by approximately 6 days, while the spring-summer period until the second decade of July was regular without any particular phenomena. From the end of July until the middle of August, 3 heat waves were recorded with peaks of 41° C in conjunction with sirocco; this condition increased the sugar amounts and caused the dehydration of the grapes exposed to direct radiation. In the last week of August there was a dramatic change until the first decade of October with temperatures well below the seasonal average values. Upon the harvest, in addition to the ideal sugar content, the grapes reached an excellent phenolic ripening together with an ideal acidity. These features of the grapes yielded wines characterised by high complexity and soft tannins paired with a touch of acidity which enriches the wine with remarkable freshness and elegance.
Beginning of the harvest: 29/08
End of the harvest: 26/09
Evaluation: Very good
Winery Zisola |
Winery location Contrada Zisola - Noto (Siracusa) |
Grape varieties 65% Nero d'Avola, 25% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Franc |
Alcohol 14.71% |
Total acidity 6.23% |
Vineyards location 130 m.a.s.l.; S/E exposure |
Soil Medium texture, calcareous and mineral |
Training system Head-pruned bush vines |
Nr. of vines per hectar 5.500 plants |
Harvest Hand picked from September 20th (Nero d'Avola), from August 30th (other grapes) |
Fermentation temperature 28 - 30° C |
Period of maceration 14 - 16 days |
Ageing 16 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt / 50% new) |
Bottling September 2012 |
Refining in bottle 8 months |
Available on the market April 2013 |
Production 14.000 bottles |
Formats 750 ml - 1,5 lt - 3 lt |
First vintage 2006 |
Ageing potential Over 20 years |
Key description Muscular, explosive spices and fruit flavors, thick but elegant taste |
Food pairing Roasted meats, spicy stews, aged cheeses |
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Falstaff 92 Pts |
Vinous 90 Pts |
During the winter, there was a significant rainfall. The following months gave us very stable weather conditions, and almost total absence of rain until the end of August with temperatures slightly below average. The month of September, where we harvest 90% of the grapes, was characterized by a first week of rain and a general reduction of temperature which slowed down the ripening process, and consequently lengthened the collection date by more than 10 days. This situation induced metabolic and physiological conditions of ripeness for exceptional grapes; the phenolic maturity, both in terms of concentration in coloring and of finesse of the tannins, has grown. Of all the vintages produced, what is truly remarkable in this vintage was the balance between color, acidity, sugars and refined tannins of the seeds. The aromatic factors have also benefited significantly from the particular climatic conditions of the area.
Evaluation: Outstanding
Made in Italy | Allergens: contains sulphites
Zisola Unfiltered
From the best 3 parcels:
Piscina
Sopra Navel
Mandorleto
The sartorial work
The passion for this land has encouraged us to acquire a deep knowledge of the micro climate, the resources availability, soil characteristics and biological complexity of each parcel.
This uniqueness is enhanced thanks to a sartorial work in the vineyard.
We pay the same attention to each harvest and each wine of the estate which expresses an original and true interpretation of great potentiality of the various grape in this corner of Sicily.