A giant in the Italian wine world, the reason Federico Curtaz is relatively unknown is that much of his career was spent as an agronomist for none other than Angelo Gaja. He pioneered the single... Read More
A giant in the Italian wine world, the reason Federico Curtaz is relatively unknown is that much of his career was spent as an agronomist for none other than Angelo Gaja. He pioneered the single vineyards from Gaja in the 1980's, presiding over some of the most exclusive, legendary and expensive Barbarescos (Sori Tildin, Sori San Lorenzo) the world has ever seen.
During his fifteen plus years at Gaja he made many trips down to Sicily. Initially drawn to the volcanic slopes of Sicily's Mt Etna volcano as a vehicle to express his other passion, Olive Oil, Curtaz couldn't resist the call of the vine. He became a partner in a new winery but in 2015 he decided to bottle wines under his own name made exactly how he wanted. The four wines he makes are all exceptional!
He rents and manages three separate small vineyards, near Noto for his Nero d'Avola grapes; on the eastern slopes of the Etna, near Milo, for his Carricante grapes and on the southern slopes, near Biancavilla for his Nerello Mascalese. All are grown organically and his unmatched experience in the vineyards are evident in every bottle. Wines are fermented in neutral oak or stainless steel with natibe yeats and aged in either steel or old oak barrel. He doesn't want anything to get in the way of the fruit and the terroir it exposes.
Born and raised in the Valle d'Aoste, Frederco grew up as far away from Sicily as one can get in Italy, yet his love of Sicily’s culture, history and unique terroir are made very clear by the wines he makes. We are crazy for what is coming out of Etna around here and wines like Federicos are exactly why.
