Just arrived! From the ancient and magical area of Faro in Sicilia, you don’t want to miss this special rosato made by Bonavita. A rich blend of indigenous grape varieties; Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Nocera, from vines overlooking the Messina Strait in Faro Superiore and Curcuraci, ranging from 10 to over 80 years old! This is a rosato with character and structure that drinks like a fresh, ‘light red.’
A gorgeous raspberry colour with captivating aromas of pomegranate, blood orange and earthy notes. On the palate you get a wonderful interplay of cranberry, raspberry and strawberry notes, beautifully balanced with nice acidity, refined minerality and sapid notes on the long finish. The fresh and vibrant character of Bonavita Rosato makes it an excellent choice for summer sipping. Pairs well with salumi and cured meats, but also has the weight to stand up to richer pastas, seafood and salmon.
Enjoy this beautifully crafted rosato that ranked a prestigious 2nd place in Italy’s Top 50 Rosé last year, and produced by “one of the most exciting wineries to emerge in Italy in some time, the Bonavita estate makes outstanding wines of noteworthy purity and precision.” - Ian D’Agata
With a small production of about 5,000 bottles, we are thrilled to share this hard to find rosato with you.
Bonavita is a small family-run winery in the village of Faro Superiore, nestled in the hills of Messina on the extreme North Eastern tip of Sicilia. With a spectacular view of the Messina Strait and Calabria in the distance, Bonavita sits on an organic farm that has been in the Scarfone family for almost a century. In 2006, Giovanni Scarfone, a young graduate from Enology founded Bonavita, with the goal of contributing to the revitalization of ‘Faro di Messina’, one of the most ancient wine producing areas of Italy.
Faro Superiore, formerly known as Casale del Faro, has rich historical Greek roots, dating back to the 8th century BC. The ancient Greek settlers, known as the "Pharii," (from the town of Pharis) established this land and cultivated vineyards, laying the foundation for viticulture in Faro. From the Greek era to the 19th century, Faro wine was prominent and became internationally renowned and exported internationally, in particular to France. Winemaking in this area practically disappeared in the 1900s. In the 1970 and 80s, there was one tenth of the hectares compared to 100 years previously.
The Bonavita Estate is immersed in nature and comprises 7 hectares of land, of which 2.5 hectares are vineyards. A spectacular sight, vineyards are perched on steep terraces that sit between 250 and 300 metres above sea level. Surrounded by a lush forest of oak and century old chestnut trees, the organic vineyards create a natural "amphitheatre" with breathtaking views of the Strait of Messina, where the Ionian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea meet. The fresh winds from the sea, the altitude and protection from the forest on the eastern side of the vineyards, help moderate temperatures during the hot summer months and humid winds coming from Africa.
Located in the very small Faro DOC appellation, Giovanni cultivates only indigenous grapes: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Nocera, planted in limestone and clay soils. The oldest vines are 80 years old and planted in Alberello style, the younger are 10 years old, trained to the espalier system. The Bonavita Rosato is classified as a Terre Siciliane IGT because the Faro DOC permits only red wines.
Bonavita is committed to environmental protection and preservation of the vineyards' ecosystem. Dedicated to natural and organic agricultural methods, there is no use of chemical fertilizers or alterations in the cellar. As a result of their approach, the wines of Bonavita have received numerous awards including inclusion, in 2022, in the Slow Food guide, which recognizes its commitment to the environment and the extreme quality of the final product.
Sandra Colosimo
Author