The name Firriato takes its origin from the rural material culture of western Sicily, where the term was used to indicate the area close to the main house.
A well defined and protected area where the most valuable crops were planted, starting with the vineyard. Firriato is an Italian term meaning enclosed, which by some strange linguistic trickery relates to the term “Clos” used in reference to French estates. The logo created by Firriato consists of an emblem designed to convey the identity and spirit of the company. The message is expressed in such a connotative and symbolic manner that it appears to enclose the universe in a small, defined space, as if protecting the value that makes it unique and inimitable. It is a reference to rationality, squaring the circle, order ruling chaos. A symbol that summarises the history and philosophy of a company: method, territory, pride and love as strong as steel.
Firriato is based in the Province of Trapani, one of the most magical parts of the wine region of Sicily, where centuries of vine growing have given this area a natural ability to produce wines with a strong sense of identity. It was the start of the eighties when Salvatore Di Gaetano, a business man with a passion for his homeland, saw the right elements in this picture-postcard landscape to bear the fruit of his freely declared passion: high-quality wine. Firriato is the crowning achievement of this dream, a company that in three decades has become one of the biggest production companies in Sicily, a reference for Made in Italy excellence, acknowledged all over the world.
Salvatore Di Gaetano has bet on the oenological potential of traditional vines: Nero d’Avola, Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Zibibbo, Grillo and Catarratto. Harmonium, Ribeca and Santagostino. They are wines that have made the company famous, along with its lead players. Harvest after harvest, Firriato has implemented a modern wine making plan based on viticulture that enhances and valorizes the varietal features of every vine planted. This production philosophy, that in just a few years has become the unmistakable mark of a style, has led to the production of wines with a strong sense of identity. They are recognizable right from the first sip and have been awarded accolades from critics and are enjoyed by wine lovers all over the world.
Over the years, the challenge became even more exciting when the company set itself the goal of presenting new wines that are a perfect reflection of Sicily. The original production area in the countryside of Trapani was increased, investing in Etna and the Aegadian Islands. The new estates, Cavanera on the volcano and Calamoni on Favignana, have enabled Firriato to present itself to the world with a complexity of soil and climate conditions that only Sicily manages to encompass in one large land bathed in sunlight. Firriato focuses on nature, biodiversity, protecting the landscape and innovation. A profile that is most emblematic in the management of its vineyards, considering that all of them are certified organic. Only a large, well-run company is capable of managing six agricultural estates so different from each other, dealing with a complex range of tasks that require constant overseeing and attention. This is something that Salvatore Di Gaetano and his family are proud of and know that the company’s entire team share that pride, both in the vineyards and in the winery.
Today the strong affection for Sicily has been given new strength thanks to the arrival of Irene, Salvatore and Vinzia’s daughter, and her husband, Federico Lombardo di Monte Iato, who are taking the family dream forward with passion. If the wine-producing region of Sicily has gained great acceptance on an international level, it is partly due to Firriato, as it has actively contributed to revealing the value of Sicilian wine to the rest of the world. The Di Gaetano family’s company was one of the first production companies on the island to look beyond the national border, passionate in raising the awareness of a unique territory, a crossroad of cultures and ancient civilizations that tell of a history ranging from the Phoenicians to the Arabs, from the Normans to the Spaniards. A cultural success, before becoming a commercial one, concrete evidence of a hard-working and productive Sicily capable of taking on the role of ambassador of Italian excellence throughout the world.
