Giuseppe Ippolito farms the family estate which is named Du Cropio, or “doctors of agronomy” which speaks to the many generations of growers and farmers that are in his family. The “secret” to Giuseppe’s ability... Read More

Giuseppe Ippolito farms the family estate which is named Du Cropio, or “doctors of agronomy” which speaks to the many generations of growers and farmers that are in his family. The “secret” to Giuseppe’s ability to coax the best of his terroir into a bottle is all in the vineyards. They are in the inner hills a few miles from the coast, the heart of the Ciró zone, where cool nights mitigate the hot days.

Even so, picking at exactly the right time, during peak balance between sugars and acidity and tannin, is crucial. A week too early and the wines will be thin and austere, a week too late and they are overripe, jammy and soft. This is why Giuseppe spends countless hours in the vineyards. And the results are revelatory.

Comparing these wines to Etna or Barolo is an easy way to get you into the conversation, but they are really unique expressions of this special terroir and the grapes that did best here after making the short journey from Greece over 3000 years ago.