Mortellito is in Val di Noto, in the corner of Sicily that lies at the same latitudes as North Africa’s arid desert climate.

Owner Dario Serrentino has always enjoyed the contrasts of this coastal growing area, which he calls ‘a desert next to the beach.’ Over the years, he’s learned to coax extremely elegant wines from this receding coast of limestone.

Honoring regional grapes like Nero d’Avola, Moscato di Noto, Frappato & Grillo, these cuvées are a must try piece of the Sicilian wine puzzle.

In Dario’s best vintages, his rosso and bianco wines have a tapering, svelte finish, that’s cool and salt-dusted. Drinking them is akin to a dive into the nearby Ionian Sea on a hot summer day!