Vineyards Magazine

The story of Fondo Antico and the Polizzotti-Scuderi family is rooted in the pride for their origins, the passion for the tenacious and generous Sicilian land.

We are in Contrada Portelli in the territory of Trapani with the Egadi Islands majestically watching over the 80 hectares of vineyards from the sea. A hundred years’ experience in wine-growing and an obsequious respect for their origins are combined with research, innovation, team spirit and the curiosity to venture towards new horizons, to communicate their wines and make this strip of Sicily known to the world.

From 1960, half of the annual harvest was delivered to local cooperatives, while the remainder continued to be vinified on the estate. Since 1995, all production was brought back to the family winery, under the shrewd guidance of Giuseppe Polizzotti. Thus was born Fondo Antico, whose name is a tribute to the toponym by which the locals, in ancient times, used to call the land in Contrada Portelli, where it all began.

Fondo Antico’s wine production translates into the cultivation of the indigenous grape varieties of Western Sicily such as Grillo, Inzolia, Grecanico, Zibibibbo, Nero d’Avola up to Perricone. Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah are the varieties that have been able to reinterpret, in an original and unrepeatable way, the richness and strength of the soils that characterise the Fondo Antico estate.

The soil

The Fondo Antico plots are planted on land of marine origin: the soil is in fact rich in calcareous deposits such as rock salt, gypsum, carbonates and sulphates, all of which contribute to making the winery’s wines more savoury and structured.

Two different altitudes and soil types characterise the Contrada Portelli vineyards: the vineyards at 350 m a.s.l. are planted on calcareous soil, which gives the wines more structure and elegance, without neglecting a good acidity base. While the other varieties are planted at 50 m a.s.l., on a medium-textured clay soil, which helps to make the wines more fresh and vigorous.

The harvest period runs from mid-August until mid-October, and the grapes are picked partly by machine and partly by hand. The company has also decided to adopt the mechanised method, in addition to the traditional one, because in a hot climate like Sicily’s, timeliness is very important. Separate vinification for each grape variety follows, thanks to the double receiving line.

The Wines

The wine production is composed of wines that reflect the personality of Fondo Antico. Thanks to the use of historical winemaking techniques in the Sicilian tradition, we obtain wines that are able to arouse emotions that only Sicily can transmit.

With this line goes in search of something more particular, more articulate, more exclusive, revealing monovarietal wines whose production technique is aimed at enhancing the varietal profile itself (colour, smell and taste).

Aitho Rosso

Etna Rosso DOC

A wine that reflects the great elegance and complexity of the volcano.
Colour: light ruby red.
Nose: red fruit aromas dominate (strawberry, black cherry) with hints of oriental spices and fresh balsamic hints that enrich the fine bouquet
Taste: harmonious and full, with silky tannins and an elegant finish.

Aitho Bianco
Etna Bianco DOC

Wine kissed by the sun and sea breeze.
Colour: straw yellow with green hues.
Nose: elegant bouquet with mineral notes of gunpowder, fresh citrus hints.
Taste: dry, mineral and savoury on the palate with pleasant acidity and persistence.

Bello mio
Zibibbo – IGT Terre Siciliane

A fragrant, captivating and delicate wine made from an indigenous aromatic variety, the Zibibibbo.
Colour: pale straw yellow with greenish reflections.
Nose: typical aromas belonging to the Terpenes family present themselves with notes of bergamot, citron, bitter orange, ending with floral notes of orange blossom, jasmine and dog rose.
Taste: The aromatic profile perceived on the nose is reconfirmed. The sip is full and savoury.

Grillo Parlante
Grillo – Sicily DOC

Brilliant straw yellow colour with greenish reflections. Its bouquet marries the exuberance of exotic fruit with the delicacy of white flowers.
Colour: brilliant, yellow with greenish reflections.
Nose: typical varietal aromas belonging to the thiol family reminiscent of exotic fruits, lychee, yellow peach, passion fruit together with more terpenic aromas reminiscent of white flowers or citrus notes.
Taste: full and fruity, balanced by the savouriness associated with the cultivation soils (carbonates and limestone of marine origin).

Nene’
Nero D’Avola – Sicily DOC

Nenè, to pay homage to the story “Il Mare Colore Del Vino” by Leonardo Sciascia.
A long-lived, fresh, fruity Nero d’Avola with distinct references to cherries and berries.
Colour: ruby red with violet reflections.

Nose: aromas of red fruits and cherries dominate. Dried fruits and spices enrich the fine bouquet.
Taste: harmonious and full flavours of cherry and undergrowth on the palate. The savouriness balances the roundness and makes the sip long and pleasant. It accompanies both meat and pitch dishes, especially when enriched with Mediterranean spices.

Per te
Perricone – IGT Terre Siciliane

‘Per te’ is a wine dedicated to Sicily and the Sicilian viticultural heritage, of which Perricone is an ancient expression. A vine abandoned for a long time but, with joy rediscovered.
Colour: ruby red.
Nose: the wine opens on notes of Mediterranean herbs and red fruits.
Taste: soft and enveloping on the palate, spices and Mediterranean scrub dominate the taste. Not
lacks the savouriness associated with the soils.