The “third way” of Grillo, a Metodo Classico sparkling wine that represents the tradition of an evolving territory, highlighting previously unexplored characteristics. French tradition meets a distinct Sicilian personality. Grillo, a variety that continues to surprise with its versatility and strength, in this “Terzavia” capable of communicating a land strongly dedicated to great wines.
Western Sicily, Contrada Samperi
11.5% vol.
2008
30 years
Calcareous, medium texture, tending to sandy, flat.
Training system: Guyot espalier; 3,500 vines per hectare.
Manual in small crates, from late August.
The grapes are cooled and selected, then subjected to direct soft pressing from whole clusters. After spontaneous decantation of the must, fermentation begins in steel tanks and continues, for 20% of the grapes, in French oak barrels at controlled temperature. Fermentation is conducted with indigenous yeasts and with minimal use of sulfites.
Fresh must obtained from Grillo grapes of the following vintage, from the same vineyard and vinified with the same method, is added to the base wine. The must is dosed to reduce the alcohol content and provide the natural sugar necessary for secondary fermentation. Since its contribution does not exceed 15%, the wine falls into the category of vintage wines.
50% of the base wine ages 12 months in steel, while the remaining 50% ages in French oak containers, on its lees.
Terzavia was born as an experiment, intended to be shared among friends, but it has transformed into one of the winery’s most representative wines.
Born in 2008, Terzavia is the result of a challenge Marco De Bartoli launched to the world of Metodo Classico: to produce a Sicilian sparkling wine that does not imitate external models, but fully expresses the Grillo of Marsala.
What distinguishes it is its “third way”: for bottle refermentation, no refined sugar is used, but fresh must from the same vintage, maintaining a direct link with nature and the vintage. This radical approach means that Terzavia changes every year, adapting to the climate: when the Maestrale wind prevails, the wine is taut and vertical; when the Scirocco wind dominates, it becomes softer and broader.
The modern and geometric label visually represents this original and unconventional path, just like the wine. A Metodo Classico that builds its own personality, carrying with it the authenticity of Sicily.
The estate is located in Contrada Samperi, twelve kilometers from Marsala, on calcareous and sandy soil that the Mediterranean wind sweeps across unimpeded. The baglio dates back to the late nineteenth century — thick walls, filtered light, the scent of aged wood already noticeable from outside. Around it, Grillo vineyards cultivated in the alberello system, as is the tradition of this land.
12 HA
medium-textured sandy-limestone, flat
alberello and Guyot-trained vertical shoot positioning; 3,500 vines per hectare.
manual in small crates, during the final weeks of September.
Manual selection of grapes, soft pressing, natural sedimentation, traditional fermentation in oak and chestnut barrels at room temperature.
Aging in oak and chestnut barrels with the addition of 5% younger wine each year, using the traditional perpetual method.
8.600
