THE CantineCOLOSI
On Salina, island in the volcanic Aeolian archipelago, amidst the fragrances of the Mediterranean scrub and the breath-taking views, the Colosi family cultivates vineyards on characteristic terraces overlooking the sea
About Us
On Salina, island in the volcanic Aeolian archipelago, amidst the fragrances of the Mediterranean scrub and the breath-taking views, the Colosi family cultivates vineyards on characteristic terraces overlooking the sea and produces unique wines that reflect shimmering light, wind, sun and colour.
With its 10 hectares of vineyards between Capo Faro and Porri, Colosi is one of the most representative producers of the island. The area is considered to be one of the best because of its exposure and the chemical-physical characteristics of the volcanic soil. The vines were planted on terraces, restoring the old dry walls, and they include grape varieties typical of Mediterranean island wine-making: Corinto Nero, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Inzolia, Catarratto and Malvasia. Malvasia is without doubt the most important vine variety of the island and of the Colosi company.
Colosi’s wine-making cellar is literally immersed among the vines, and is partially buried in order to comply with the strict regulations on the protection of the territory and landscape of the Aeolian archipelago. This location allows the temperature to be kept constant, ideal for the optimal preservation of the wines.
Our History
The name Pietro has been passed down from father to son in the Colosi family. In the 1970s Pietro Colosi “Senior” worked alongside Carlo Hauner: besides their close friendship, the two also shared a love for the wines of the island. This friendship continued to grow and a short time later Pietro found himself managing both his own property and cellar and Carlo’s.
Thirty years ago, in 1987, Pietro, son of Pietro, began to follow in his father’s footsteps after completing his studies in oenology at the agricultural college of Catania and immediately gave new momentum to the marketing of Colosi wines throughout the world.
Today, a third Pietro, a graduate in oenology from San Michele all’Adige, flanks his father and mother Lidia in managing all of the activities of a fully grown and stable company which, besides the cellar at Salina, also has a production plant at Giammoro in the province of Messina and which exports its wines throughout the world.
The Production
We produce exclusively autochthonous wines, typical not only of the Aeolian archipelago but also of the Sicilian area, for this we have twenty-year olds agreements with selected Sicilian producers (surfaces covering more than 35 hectares of vineyards in Marsala (TP) for the whites: Grillo, Insolia, Cataratto and Zibibbo, and over 55 between Mazara (TP) and Riesi (CL) for the reds: Nero D’Avola, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese); in order to ensure our company a finest production that is strongly tied closely to the areas.
The Colosi wines produced on the island of Salina are two Igp Salina whites, one Igp Salina red and two varieties of Malvasia delle Lipari Dop, one natural and a passito. In accordance with the age-old oenology tradition of the Aeolian islands, from the prized Colosi Malvasia and Corinto Nero varieties of grape comes the most representative wine of the area, since ancient times called “nectar of the gods”: the sweet Malvasia, a dessert wine par excellence.
Colosi produces two varieties: Malvasia Passito di Salina Dop and Malvasia delle Lipari Naturale di Salina Dop, both highly fragrant wines with a warm and velvety taste. Soft but with grace, with slight tannicity, excellent texture and good balance.
