ontessa Entellina is the name of a small town in the province of Palermo, Sicily. It is situated in the middle of a hilly area at an altitude of 1,900 feet above sea level. It was founded in the mid 15th century by Greek and Albanian immigrants who had reached these hills from the military colony of Bisiri. The name Entellina was adopted in 1875. It is a reference to the ancient settlement of Entella, just outside the contemporary town. Although far from major Sicilian cities, Contessa Entellina's wine has been known since antiquity. It is mentioned in the writings of Silius Italicus, Strabo, and Pausanius.
The wine produced here was of good quality, thanks to the favorable conditions offered by the soil and the climate, not to mention the right altitude, which is always beneficial to the correct evolution of the vine. In spite of this, it was added to wines obtained in neighboring areas, in order to improve their lacking qualities.
The winegrowers of Contessa Entellina, however, were determined to prove to the world that their wine could reach much greater heights. They thus initiated a number of innovations, including the introduction of foreign grapevines like Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Chardonnay and Sauvignon. Contessa Entellina D.O.C.'s strength is in its reds that are aged longer than most other wines in southern Italy.
This page was written by Stefano Milioni. Background image and most photos in this section courtesy of Giuliano Bugialli, all right reserved (see Copyright and Credits).
ontessa Entellina is the name of a small town in the province of Palermo, Sicily. It is situated in the middle of a hilly area at an altitude of 1,900 feet above sea level. It was founded in the mid 15th century by Greek and Albanian immigrants who had reached these hills from the military colony of Bisiri. The name Entellina was adopted in 1875. It is a reference to the ancient settlement of Entella, just outside the contemporary town. Although far from major Sicilian cities, Contessa Entellina's wine has been known since antiquity. It is mentioned in the writings of Silius Italicus, Strabo, and Pausanius.