Vinudilice means “wine of the oak forest” in the local Sicilian dialect. The family also refers to the parcel as “Vigna Bosco,” or “the wooded vine.” While on a hike, Salvo Foti discovered a beautiful parcel of very old, ungrafted, and co-planted vines surrounded by a holm oak forest. It is found at more than 1,200 meters elevation, which makes it a strong contender for being the highest vineyard in Italy. The decision to make it a light rosé comes from the presence of more than 10 different indigenous white and red varieties that are harvested and vinified together. This way the intense fruit and minerality of old vines are best expressed, with fresh aromas of red fruits and blueberries and a chalky minerality. Harvest is usually around the end of October. The grapes are then macerated overnight, and aging is done in stainless steel. Fermentation is started by a “pied de cuve” to form a starter selection of autochthonous yeasts. This is I Vigneri’s only wine that doesn’t receive any sulfur addition, because, according to Salvo Foti: “The pH of the soil allows it!” A favorite at Troppo, and one we always stash a case or two to age. With a few years of age, the nose can develop certain brioche-like toasty lactic undertones that remind us of high-quality rosé Champagne. A rare wine!

In vintages in which the wine does not naturally reach an alcohol potential of 11%, they produce a sparkling version in Méthode Champenoise with bottle fermentation on the yeasts for at least 17 months.