On Rapitala’s vineyard slope, at 1,000-1,300 feet of elevation, dark clay soils alternate with tufaceous sand. This is the source for the Syrah destined for Nadir, which refers to a location opposite of the Zenith, and therefore the earth.
Terroir: 100% estate fruit is grown on select parcels at 985-1,310 feet above sea level. Guyot-trained vines are planted at a density of 2,300 plants per acre, yielding 36 quintals of grapes per acre.
Vinification:The grapes are harvested mid-September. A cold, pre-maceration lasts for three days and is followed by temperature-controlled fermentation at 77°F. The result is a better extraction of aromas and tannins, which are smooth and enveloping. About 20% of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation for four months in second passage, medium-toast French Allier barriques. The wine is then blended with the remaining lots and is aged in barriques for 12 months. In this way we produce a fragrant, fresh, fruity wine and maintain unaltered the varietal characteristics and structure and power expressed by the Syrah grown in the hot Sicilian climate.