Porta del Vento
Under the skilled craftsmanship of owner and winemaker Marco Sferlazzo, Porta del Vento has emerged as a beacon of excellence in Sicilian low-intervention winemaking. In 2005 Marco, formerly a pharmacist in Palermo, transitioned to grape-growing with a fervent dedication to high quality and organic/biodynamic farming.
Disheartened by a farmer’s decision to uproot aging Perricone and Catarratto vines, Marco intervened by acquiring his vineyards and converting them to organic and biodynamic practices. Nestled 2000 feet amidst the steep hills of Camporeale, a tiny village 25 miles south of Palermo, Porta del Vento commands a dramatic landscape characterized by Sicily’s extreme natural elements. Its eighteen-hectare, 50 years old vineyards grow on sandy soils atop a yellow sandstone crust. Located just 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea, these vineyards are exposed to relentless, cold northern winds (hence the name “the door of the wind”), which help mitigate the hot Sicilian days by bringing the temperatures down by nearly 20 degrees Celsius each night. Porta del Vento’s grapes thrive amidst these challenging conditions, yielding delicious, vibrant wines that offer remarkable concentration, balanced acidity, crystal-clear varietal character and low alcohol.
Crafted with 100% Certified Organic grapes and Biodynamic methods, Porta del Vento's wines epitomize non-interventionist winemaking based on native-yeasts fermentations and concrete vats, offering their unique provenance and emotive qualities without interferences. Unfiltered and expressive, they offer a true reflection of Sicily's breathtaking beauty and Marco’s dedication.
Available Wines:
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"Voria" Bianco Catarratto Pet Nat
100% organic and biodynamic Catarratto. After crushing and pressing, part of the must is set aside and refrigerated. The base wine is fermented in stainless steel with native yeasts. After 3 months of aging in concrete, the wine is bottled with the must and the wine referments spontaneously. Unfiltered and not disgorged, this is a light, fragrant and citrusy sparkler, loaded with yellow stone fruit, light floral notes and a touch of pineapple. Delicious with salads, tempura veggies and seafood, light pastas or simply for a glass on the porch.
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"Voria" Rosè Perricone Pet Nat
100% organic and biodynamic Perricone. After crushing, part of the must is set aside and refrigerated. The base wine is fermented with the skins in stainless steel with native yeasts. After 3 months of aging in concrete, the wine is bottled with the must and the wine referments spontaneously. Unfiltered and not disgorged, this is a bright, juicy lightly sparkling rose, offering delicious aromas of raspberry, pomegranate and notes of red flowers. An amazing wine for lightly spicy dishes, grilled chicken and veggies, and tomato-based pastas.
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"Porta del Vento" Catarratto Monreale DOC
100% organic and biodynamic Catarratto, from the estate oldest vines. After crushing and pressing, the must is fermented with native yeasts in temperature controlled stainless steel vats. Aged in concrete vats for 4 months, and for 4 months in bottle before release.
Named after the winery, this was Porta del Vento first wine, and put Marco Sferlazzo on the map of artisanal winegrowers in Sicily. Bright, supple, with a core of juicy peach and zesty Meyer lemon, framed by a savory, almost saline acidity. Perfect for all things seafood, light risottos, asian food. Try it with an eggplant Bahn Mi!
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"Ishac" Nero d'Avola
100% organic and biodynamic Nero d’Avola, Sicily’s signature grape variety. After harvest and destemming, the crushed grapes are fermented in stainless steel with native yeasts. After the malolactic fermentation in concrete vats, the wine is aged in neutral large oak (25HL) for 1 year, and in bottle for 4 months before release.
A super classic Nero d’Avola, showing the signature notes of raspberry and rhubarb, lifted by a refreshing, vibrant acidity that is typical of these colder sites. An amazing companion for grilled or barbecued meats, fettuccine alla Bolognese, roasted lamb and medium ripe cheeses.
Marco Sferlazzo of Porta del Vento
Marco Sferlazzo in his vineyards at Porta del Vento
The dramatic landscape at Porta del Vento
Giuseppe LoCascio and Iacopo DiTeodoro of Lucidity WM with Marco Sferlazzo at Vinitaly 2024
Tasting at Porta del Vento
The view from Porta del Vento, with the Mediterranean Sea in the background