Planeta and Mamertino

Mamertino has begun! In March 2010 we announced our arrival at Capo Milazzo and our intention to relaunch Mamertino wine, the highlight of Sicilian winemaking in Roman times.
Today we can announce the launch of the project. The project embraces and will follow the widest and most complex concept of winemaking which can possibly be sustained from the social, economic and environmental point of view. The return of Mamertino to La Baronia on Capo Milazzo is a model project, inasmuch as it goes beyond the requirements of sustainability in its cultivation and production, returning to its origins and leading to its cultural and social restoration through the effects that the project will have on the surrounding area. Its cultural recovery begins from research into the so-called ‘treasured’ varieties, typical of the region but abandoned for a long time. Together with Nero d’Avola and Nocera three of these
varieties will be introduced experimentally; Vitraruolo, Lucignolo and Catanese Nera. The results of these assessments may eventually give rise to the process of approval of the variety, which one day could becomepartofthegrapecontentcomprisingMamertino. Thisisa real recovery operation of a biodiversity which would otherwise be lost. The renewed cultivation of the area will protect the site for ever, unique in its location and landscape value, from building or other kinds of
exploitation. Last but not least, working together with other local producers, the historic recovery of the name MAMERTINO is important; small in number but full of significance and memories. At present the company is planning 8 hectares for vines and 20 for old olive trees. Of these, the first 4 hectares have been planted using wild cuttings with grafting materials ready. The recovery of the olive groves, in need of a thorough pruning after years of total neglect, has been initiated. These first 4 productive hectares will demonstrate complete respect for the discipline, that is 60% Nero d’Avola and 40% Nocera. To these will be added, as experiments, about 1,000 plants of the three varieties Vitraruolo, Lucignolo and Catanese Nera. These vines will be subjected to careful research investigations and to studies aimed at fully using the characteristics of the territory. The model project foresees a fully balanced cultivation of vines within the territory, without irrigation, with supports typical of the marine environment such as gobelet training, and with the greatest attention to detail. At this point, the last stage announced in Planeta’s Journey through Sicily, that from Sambuca has scanned the years since 1997 until today, is now taking shape. The project is beginning. Our initial feelings are being confirmed; it will be a sea-side red, based on great indigenous grapes from the north of Sicily. As always with Planeta, it will be a passionate and enthusiastic venture.