If Frappato is Vittoria’s most typical grape variety, then Rina Russa di Santa Tresa is the embodiment of its typicity. “Rina Russa” means “red sand” in Sicilian dialect.

Rina Russa genuinely has its own unique style, as the Frappato grapes come from ancient clones developed on our own estate. It has a very beautiful light cherry colour, with a fresh and vibrant bouquet, reminiscent of wild strawberries and a beautifully balanced palate, with silky smooth fruit, a real freshness running through it and a surprisingly long finish.

Santa Tresa is situated in the commune of Vittoria, in the south east of Sicily, at 24 metres above sea level. The estate covers 50 hectares, 39 of which are vineyards.

When we acquired Santa Tresa in 2001, we discovered indigenous clones of Frappato, Nero d’Avola and Grillo, which are very typical of the region. Frappato is an excellent indigenous variety from Vittoria, Grillo originates from western Sicily, while Nero d’Avola comes from Avola, a small town a few kiolometres from Vittoria.

At Santa Tresa we also cultivate non-indigenous grape varieties rarely found in Sicily, such as Viognier from France, which has found ideal growing conditions here at Santa Tresa.

The grapes are carefully picked by hand towards the end of September and are carefully put into small containers of 15kg.

The grapes are chilled overnight in a refrigerated room to lower the temperature to 6-8°C, in order to preserve the particular qualities of the Frappato. After a very gentle destemming and crushing the grapes are fermented at a temperature of about 18-22°C for 10-12 days. The wine is separated from the skins and malolactic fermentation is allowed to take place naturally.

After the malolactic fermentation is completed, the wine is kept on its fine lees for about 4-6 months in stainless steel tanks, with regular stirring, before bottling.

Rina Russa is a red wine in a class of its own and with its extraordinary fruitiness, it is a red wine which tradition dictates should be drunk with fish. Among those perfect matches are several traditional dishes from typical of Ragusa – tuna, sword fish, blue fish. A really versatile red, best served at room temperature (18-20°C) with cured meats and cheeses, but with fish, serve at around 14-16°C.