ine plays a major role in the history of Menfi. Relating about the ancient city of Inycon, whose ruins can still be seen near Menfi, Stefan of Byzantium underlines the excellence of its wines. A great number of Greek and Roman amphorae found at Menfi and its sea stand evidence to the wine trade that flourished here in antiquity. In 1869, Girolamo Caruso, an agricultural expert of his time, said Menfi was among the most important winegrowing areas in all of Sicily.Giovanni Garoglio, reputed to be one of the fathers of modern winemaking techniques in Italy, stressed the quality of the wine produced in "the maritime area of Menfi." Today, Menfi wine is known for its high quality both in Italy and abroad, where it has earned several awards.
In spite of all this, the Menfi D.O.C. appellation was established only in 1995. Menfi D.O.C. is one of the most innovative appellations in Sicily. It was established after thorough studies had been conducted on Menfi's grapevines and its territory by the Regional Vine and Wine Institute of Palermo in collaboration with the University of Milan and the Provincial Agrarian Institute of San Michele all'Adige (Trento).
It was only after the completion of this study that the territories, the appropriate microclimates and the grapevines for the production of Menfi D.O.C. wines were selected. The regulation gives equal importance to the use of traditional grape varieties and those, like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, that have only recently been brought to Menfi.
