The Planeta Wineries
The six wineries of Planeta are each unique, not only in terms of the wines they produce and the architecture, but in the soil profiles of the vineyards and the growing conditions.
Following is a virtual tour of the wineries:
Sambuca Di Sicilia
This serves as the original home of the Planeta family. The 17th century farmhouse is surrounded by 95 hectares of vineyards, namely the Ulmo and Maroccoli vineyards. This is where the company produces all of its white wines.
The soil at Ulmo is that of an ancient valley that once had a river. As such, the soils are rich and deep and there is an abundance of pebbles on the bottom, providing ideal drainage. Farther up in the soil are areas of limestone with layers of dark organic soil.
The Maroccoli vineyard is located at about 1,500 feet above sea level. Here, the soil is chalkier with lots of silty areas. This vineyard also benefits from fresh sea breezes, which results in a unique microclimate.
Menfi
There are two wineries in Menfi, Cantina Piccola and Cantina Grande. Cantina Piccola produces world-class red wines while the Cantina Grande specializes in La Segreta and Rose wines. Through extensive research and experimentation, Planeta has planted grapes that are ideal for the soils here.
The Dispensa area has an average amount of limestone mixed with clays of yellow to dark gray. It is perfect for international vines as the texture of the soil is reasonably fine. Gurra is actually divided into two different zones. One has red sands that are perfect for Syrah while the other has a lot more clay and limestone, which brings out the best in Fiano grapes.
Vittoria
The 100-year-old farmhouse at Dorilli serves as the winery, which also has some small apartments. The vineyard features Nero d’Avola and Frappato grapes, nothing else.
The soil is red, largely due to the sands that come from the so-called marine terraces that are about three feet thick. It gives the Cerasuolo di Vittoria wines their unique aroma.
Noto
The tiny farmhouse here is surrounded by almond and carob trees, but the wine is produced in a state-of-the-art winery that is built underground so as not to disturb the landscape. The soil in Noto is white and limey, supported by small pebbles and clays that provide high levels of water retention.
Etna
Etna is the newest of the Planeta vineyards and it’s located on the northern slopes of the volcano. The volcanic soil is perfect for Carricante as it is rich in minerals and lava sand.
As you can see, Planta’s vineyards and soils are as varied as their grapes and wines, creating unique flavor and aroma profiles that are a sign of Sicilian winemaking at its finest.