CANTINE SETTESOLI

The cooperative of Cantine Settesoli was founded in 1958 with 88 associate members and 256 ha of vineyards. Today, in 2016, it includes 2000 associate members and 6000 ha of vineyards. Cantine Settesoli is the biggest vineyard in Europe. There are two factories: one in Santa Margherita Belice and the other in Montevago. Grapes were harvested for the first time in 1965. The most important factory is located in Menfi because there is also a section for bottling. Associate members enter through this gate: *foto cancello entrata* The grape harvest starts on the first days of August. There are 28 grapes varieties (the widest choice in Sicily) such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc. Associate members enter their tractors and put a tank on a weigh station in order to get gross weight. Later on , one of the selectors picks the grapes up and analyzes their plant health for the first time. Then ,through a mechanical arm, a few samples are analyzed separately. PH, acidity and sugary degree are measured since they are very important elements for the selection of the wine of the highest quality.

INTERVIEW

1. Can you explain what are the environmentally-friendly projects that Cantine Settesoli realizes to respect the environment and our territory?
Environmentally-friendly means that Cantine Settesoli operate with social responsibility and particular attention to sustainability in order to increase the economic and cultural development, respecting the territory and the local community. We use water responsibly, minimizing treatments in the vineyards. We recycle 100% of our waste material, we avoid the use of non-wood fibre for all our packaging, and we use lighter botlles to minimize the Co2 emission. Another important aspect is the solar energy production, we have 1500 panels with 250 kWp energy performance and an estimated annual production of 370.000 Kwh.
 
2. What is the phrase "little winemakers of a big vineyard" that we find on the emblem referred to?
Cantine Settesoli is a cooperation of 2000 winegrowers with 6000 ha of vineyards concentrated in the same area, about 15 km. Our winegrowers are the owner of small vineyards that all toghether create the largest vineyard in Europe, that’s why “little winegrowers of a large vineyard”.


3. Why has Cantine Settesoli succeded in selling around the world?
Settesoli exports in more than 30 countries abroad thanks to a good work team that makes it possible and thanks to the quality of our wines which represents a new and different Sicily of wines. WE COMMERCIALIZE WORLDWIDE QUALITY WINES THAT DIVERSIFY THE MARKET AND HAVE DIFFERENT RANGES OF PRICE AND USE, CHARACTERIZED BY AN EXCELLENT QUALITY/PRICE RATIO.

4. What are the standards used for obtaining high quality wines?
Our vineyards are closely monitored by agronomists who select the finest grapes and keep every step of the process under control. Thanks to modern technology, we can determine the best time for harvesting. The grapes are harvested by hand and taken to the factory. Here every load is tested by one of the partners, to select the best bunches and to check the quality of the grapes. It is only then that the delicate process of winemaking starts, with the Settesoli winemakers carefully supervising every phase. Using advanced technologies and a refrigeration system, we go through the stages of destemming, crushing, fermentation and classification of each individual lot in order to create specific blends according to quality standards and organoleptic properties.
The goal of our company is to have quality in quantity, and to maintain this quality unchanged over time.

 http://www.cantinesettesoli.it/