Enza La Fauci

Enza La Fauci is located in the north-eastern tip of the island, in the district Mezzana-Messina, lies on the foothills of Mount Peloritani. On one side is the Tyrrhenian Sea with the Aeolian Islands, kingdom of Aeolus, father of the winds. On the other the Ionian Sea with the Strait of Messina, creator of myths and legend from the Sirens of Ulysses to Fata Morgana, that separates the coast of Sicily with Calabria. This land, beaten by the winds of Scirocco and Mistral, enjoys the mild climate and abundant rainfall in the winter, and favors the florid vegetation of the Mediterranean. The particular climate, cool and breezy, since the Mycenaen age (14th century B.C.) favored the development of viticulture, even after the setback in the late nineteenth century caused by the spread of phylloxera. It characterized a new increase in the production of quality wine: Il Faro, meaning “the lighthouse” a blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Nocera was recognized in 1976 with the appellation Faro D.O.C. (Denominazione d’Origne Controllata.)

It was Enza La Fauci’s personal interest that led her to viticulture. Over 20 years of experience in the family’s company “The Distillery Giovi”, and her love for plants, gradually approached her to the world of wine. Every encounter or conversation with friends and important wine producers from the island were all opportunities for Enza to learn more about what eventually would become her greatest passion: the vineyard. In 2004, armed by this passion, Enza planted a small vineyard in her family’s land, within the Faro DOC area, where she meticulously cared for her vineyard to produce quality wines. Her philosophy to obtain a good wine: “Cultivate indigenous, hard manual labor, no additives or chemical pesticides and above all…a lot of passion”.

The terrain, well-structured, is mostly of clay texture soil with layers of calcareous tuff, capable of retaining a good amount of freshness in deep layers. The planting system of the vineyard, set on terraces and exposed to the sun and the wind, is double cordon and Guyot, with an average density of 5,000 plants per hectare. The grape varieties planted are Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Nero D’Avola. The wind that blows steady and light along the rows of vines allows to reduce to minimum the treatment on the plants, while a skillful choice of “green pruning” contributes to the formation of luxuriant grape clusters, which will be picked esclusively by hand.