(TRAPANI) Barone di Serramarrocco is a virtuous winery that produces wines in Trapani inspired by tradition but with a modern approach.
The History of Barone di Serramarrocco
The Barone di Serramarrocco winery is located in Fulgatore, in the province of Trapani, at the foot of Mount Erice.
Here, the view opens up to gentle hills and wooded slopes that descend towards the Mediterranean Sea, overlooking vineyards caressed by sea breezes. As is well known, the most beautiful places are often the most suitable for producing wines.
It was here that Marco di Serramarrocco, after a career in finance, decided to establish the Barone di Serramarrocco winery in 2001, reclaiming the former estate with a centuries-old history dating back to 1624.
Today, the winery spans over 60 hectares, with 22 hectares dedicated to vineyards identified through meticulous zoning studies to pinpoint the best soil and climate conditions for producing fine wines.
Barone di Serramarrocco focuses on producing Sicilian wines from native varieties such as Nero d’Avola, Pignatello, Zibibbo, and Grillo. The range also includes an intriguing blend inspired by Bordeaux’s Left Bank, reimagined with a Mediterranean touch, made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
The Terroir of Barone di Serramarrocco Wines
The vineyards of Barone di Serramarrocco cover over 22 hectares with varying exposures and altitudes around 400 meters above sea level.
The climate is influenced by the thermoregulatory effect of the Mediterranean Sea: the cool sea breeze mitigates the summer heat, while Mount Erice protects the vines from northern winds in winter. The altitude ensures significant temperature variations, essential for the aromatic finesse of the grapes.
The soils where Barone di Serramarrocco’s wines are born consist of clay and limestone, particularly rich in mineral micronutrients.
These soil and climate characteristics of the vineyards are highly favorable for excellent grape ripening and the creation of wines with great structure, backbone, and character, especially for Sicily’s native varieties.
These traditional varieties take center stage in Barone di Serramarrocco’s wine production, thriving in the Trapani area and yielding rich, intense wines with strong aromatic expression that particularly enhance the mineral, savory tones and deep aromas.
The Philosophy of Barone di Serramarrocco Wines
The connection to Sicily’s winemaking tradition, particularly in the Trapani area, is undoubtedly a key element in Barone di Serramarrocco’s wine production. However, as Sicily has well understood, tradition must engage in dialogue with the present to remain effective.
For this reason, Barone di Serramarrocco vinifies almost exclusively varieties from Sicily’s tradition, adopting modern winemaking techniques to maximize the potential offered by the Trapani territory.
Another indispensable aspect of Barone di Serramarrocco’s wine production is full respect for biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
The winery practices organic farming, though uncertified, adopting low-impact environmental choices. Barone di Serramarrocco is also among the first wineries in Western Sicily to experiment with high-quality viticulture by reducing grape yields per vine and increasing planting density (in some cases up to 9,000 vines per hectare). This strategy, a novelty in this area, has been successfully tested by prestigious wineries in Bordeaux and Eastern Sicily.
The Wines of Barone di Serramarrocco
The production of Barone di Serramarrocco wines reflects the tradition of Trapani wines.
Among the most notable wines is Barone di Serramarrocco, made from 100% Pignatello, which stands as the flagship product of the winery, crafted from the estate’s most suitable vineyards.
This is a bold and elegant wine that celebrates the varietal character of Pignatello. Barone di Serramarrocco offers expressive floral and fruity aromas, enriched with sweet spices from skillfully integrated Troncais barrels.
Another standout red wine is Serramarrocco, a Sicilian interpretation of a Bordeaux blend made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This is a voluminous wine with a sensational polyphenolic profile and penetrating fruity aromas, enhanced by toasting notes and balsamic nuances.
Of great interest is also the excellent white wine Grillo del Barone, a wine of great sapidity that exudes penetrating sensations of exotic and yellow-fleshed fruits, floral “nuances” of chamomile, and hints of saltiness.
Another remarkable white is Quojane di Serramarrocco, made from Zibibbo, a white wine of sensational structure and roundness, with seductive citrus and tropical fruit notes on the nose, accompanied by wild fennel and Mediterranean shrub reminiscences.
Among other wines, Sammarcello, made from Pignatello, stands out. This is the winery’s most representative red wine: linear and floral, very smooth and immediate on the palate. Ideal when paired with appetizers featuring Sicilian cured meats and cheeses.
The production is rounded out by two gastronomically versatile wines, Baglio di Serramarrocco and Nero di Serramarrocco, both made from Nero d’Avola, the quintessential Sicilian native grape.
All are wines of great character, combining aromatic finesse, sapidity, and richness on the palate. They are a testament to the great expressive potential of Trapani’s terroir.
Wines Available On:
- www.tannico.it
- vivino.com
- winepoint.it
Barone di Serramarrocco 2019
Characteristics: This pure Pignatello represents a virtuous interpretation of an ancient Sicilian variety, expressing freshness and fragrance to the fullest.
The bouquet opens with aromas of crunchy cherry and red currant, enriched by delicate hints of black pepper, licorice, and a floral note of violet. On the palate, it stands out for its vibrant acidity, which supports the fine tannic structure, offering a dynamic and harmonious sip. The spicy notes blend with a subtle woody imprint, contributing to a long and well-defined finish.
The grapes come from the “Sammarcello vineyard,” a 3.75-hectare plot managed using the Bordeaux Guyot system, with a density of 7,143 vines per hectare and limited yields to enhance the variety. The wine matures for 18 months in 500-liter French oak tonneaux, followed by 10 months of bottle aging, amplifying its complexity without sacrificing varietal freshness.
Serramarrocco 2021
Characteristics:
This Bordeaux-style blend, composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, offers a complex and enveloping aromatic profile. Intense notes of Morello cherry and black currant emerge on the nose, enriched with hints of dark chocolate, sweet spices, and a delicate touch of vanilla and toasted wood, derived from aging in tonneaux.
On the palate, it is distinguished by its full-bodied structure and enveloping warmth, with velvety, well-integrated tannins. The freshness and sapidity balance the sip, offering a long and harmonious finish, with a return of ripe fruit and spices.
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes come from the “Capitano vineyard,” 2.72 hectares with high planting density and limited yields, while the Cabernet Franc is grown in the “Sammichele vineyard,” a 2.20-hectare plot. Both vineyards are managed using the Bordeaux Guyot system, ensuring top-quality selection. The wine matures for 12 months in 500-liter French oak tonneaux, followed by 8 months of bottle aging, imparting elegance and complexity.
Quojane di Serramarrocco 2023
Characteristics:
This dry, pure Zibibbo presents an essential and precise bouquet, dominated by citrus fruits like grapefruit and mandarin, accompanied by a subtle note of Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, the vibrant freshness blends with marked minerality, creating a balanced and savory sip. The finish is long and dry, with citrus notes that confirm the coherence of the aromatic profile.
The grapes, hand-harvested from the “Quojane vineyard,” come from low yields and attentive agronomic management. The winemaking process enhances the typicality of Zibibbo, delivering a wine that fully reflects the terroir of Serramarrocco.
