Di Giovanna Helios Nero d'Avola 2019

2019 Helios Nero d'Avola

'The Flagship' IGP

Denomination IGP Terre Siciliane

Variety Nero d’Avola 70%, 30% Syrah
Production 6,000 bottles
Vineyards 30-year-old vines in the Contessa Entellina area, on soil rich in mixed clay and volcanic tuff.
Altitude 1,400 feet
Soil Mixed Clay and volcanic Tuff
Vinification Hand-harvested, destemmed grapes, open-top barrel fermentation, soft pressing.
Aging 12 months in barrique and tonneau

Tasting note: Decisive and robust, harmonious, with velvety tannins and a pleasant softness on the finish.

ABV 14% - 750ml

Di Giovanna Winery

Sambuca di Sicilia and Contessa Entellina, Italy.

The 5th generation family property is managed by brothers Gunther and Klaus Di Giovanna.

Their wine cellar is nestled in the mountainside of Monte Genuardo, a protected nature reserve. Organically cultivated vineyards surround the winery, in the small zones of western Sicily’s Sambuca di Sicilia and Contessa Entellina.

The property extends for almost 100 hectares and is composed of 65 hectares of vineyards, 14 hectares of olive groves, and 21 hectares of wheat fields and forests. The 5 family vineyards: Miccina, Gerbino, Paradiso, San Giacomo and Fiuminello are located in the small DOC of Contessa Entellina and Sambuca di Sicilia, in the heart of the Terre Sicane. Miccina, Gerbino, and Paradiso vineyards are planted on the high hillsides of the DOC Contessa Entellina. San Giacomo and Fiuminello vineyards (680-830 m.s.l.m.) climb the slopes of Monte Genuardo and surround the winery.

The vineyards were planted with indigenous and select international varieties, after careful micro-pedoclimatic studies. White varieties include Grillo, Catarratto & Chardonnay. The red ones: Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Syrah and Merlot.

ABOUT DI GIOVANNA PRODUCTS

Di Giovanna’s hand-crafted wines and extra virgin olive oil are an expression of their unique territory. Brothers Gunther & Klaus personally manage their organically cultivated vineyards and wine cellar, where their wines and extra virgin olive oil are made. Their love and dedication to their territory have a long family history, spanning five generations. The entire property and wine cellar have been certified organic since 1997.

ABOUT DI GIOVANNA VINEYARDS

The Di Giovanna property consists of 65 hectares of vineyards planted in Sambuca di Sicilia, on calcareous soil in the highest areas (2,800 feet) and with a greater presence of volcanic tuff soil as the vines descend (1,500 feet) to Contessa Entellina. The vines are trained on a single cordon with spur pruning. All in certified organic farming.

FIUMINELLO

Fiuminello is in the zone of Sambuca di Sicilia (AG). The vineyard is just below the forested mountains of Monte Genuardo and nestled inside the Nature Reserve, at altitudes ranging from 730-820 meters above sea level. The area is noted for extreme day to night temperature swings; stony ground, rich with organic substances.

SAN GIACOMO

San Giacomo is in the zone of Sambuca di Sicilia (AG). Vineyards surround the Di Giovanna winery and are also inside the Monte Genuardo Nature Reserve, at an average of 650 meters above sea level. The soil is calcareous clay and stoney.

MICCINA

Miccina is located in Contessa Entellina (PA); The vineyards surround the family’s old stone barn. The average altitude is 350 meters above sea level with mixed soils consisting of clays, limestone, and tuff.

GERBINO

Gerbino in Contessa Entellina (Province of Palermo) is the family’s oldest vineyards, originally planted by great grandfather Ciaccio. The altitude ranges from 420-480 meters above sea level; with Soft rolling hills and mixed clay with limestone soils.

PARADISO

Paradiso in Contessa Entellina (PA) is the family’s largest vineyard, planted on soft rolling hills at altitudes around 400 meters above sea level, surrounded by olive groves.

CERTIFICATION: 100% Vegan, BioDynamic & Organic.