Vincenzino Sclafani’s two-hundred-year-old family winery, perched on the steep slopes of Mount Etna, has remained largely untouched for generations. Even when we met him last, the dusty cobwebs clung to the ceiling of the winemaking room, the same as when Vincenzino was a small boy.
Despite its rustic charm, the winery was at a crossroads. Vincenzino had a vision: he wanted to modernize the winemaking process, producing wines that were both traditional and contemporary. “My grandfather and great-grandfather have been making wines here since the early 1800s,” Vincenzino explained. “But I wanted to make something different, something that would make us stand out. I wanted to make something that was both traditional and modern. Something that would set us apart from the rest of the wineries in the region.”
It was a daring ambition, and one that has paid off handsomely for Vincenzino. In a matter of a few short years, Vincenzino, with the aid of modern winemaking science and the effective use of social media, had skyrocketed the family business into one of the most important and respected in the eastern part of Sicily. “I believe that the introduction of modern technology into our winemaking process has been a key factor in our success,” Vincenzino said in a recent interview with a prestigious wine magazine. “It has allowed us to make more consistent, high-quality wines. We have also found that using social media to promote our wines has been incredibly beneficial. It has enabled us to reach new markets and to rapidly increase our sales.”
Despite modernizing his methods, Vincenzino was nonetheless determined to preserve the age-old traditions of his ancestors. The grapes are still pressed with his feet, and the fermentation process still relied solely on the use of natural yeasts. “I think it is essential to keep the old traditions alive,” said Vincenzino.
“My family has been producing wines on this land for generations, and I want to ensure that this tradition lives on. I want to honor the hard work of my ancestors and ensure that our wines are the best that they can be.”
The combination of modern and traditional techniques has proved to be a winning formula; Vincenzino’s wines are now served in some of the most prestigious restaurants around the world and have garnered numerous awards. “I hope that my wines will continue to be enjoyed and appreciated for many years to come,” said Vincenzino. “My goal is to continue to improve and refine my winemaking process and to make sure that every bottle of wine that leaves our winery is unique and of the highest quality. I want our wines to represent the work and passion of my family and be something that can be enjoyed and shared around the world.”
This is the remarkable and inspirational story of Vincenzino Sclafani, the fourth-generation winemaker from Mount Etna who has taken the traditional methods of his ancestors and combined them with modern technology to create something truly special. It is a story of innovation, dedication to quality, and perseverance in the face of challenge. It is also a story of a man who has taken a centuries-old family business and transformed it into one of the most successful and celebrated wineries in the region.
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