Sikelè Grecanico Terre Siciliane 2024

Cantina Marilina is the family estate behind Sikelè, run by sisters Marilina and Federica Paternò in southeastern Sicily near Noto. The estate was originally founded by their father, Angelo Paternò, after decades working as a winemaker and technical director at larger Sicilian wineries. The family farms organically across a mosaic of vineyards and mixed agriculture, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity and low intervention winemaking. Their style is closely aligned with the broader Sicilian natural wine movement, with a preference for native yeast fermentations, concrete vessels, and minimal additions.

Sikelè Grecanico 2024 comes from the Terre Siciliane IGP and is made from grecanico dorato, a traditional Sicilian grape that is genetically linked to garganega. The fruit is typically sourced from limestone-rich soils in the southeastern part of the island, where warm days and coastal influence help the grape retain both ripeness and acidity. The wine is often treated with a short period of skin contact, giving it a subtle amber tint and a bit more structure than a purely reductive white.

Winemaking is deliberately simple but not casual. The grapes are hand harvested and fermented spontaneously in concrete tanks, often with around half a day of skin contact before or during fermentation to build texture without pushing into full orange wine territory. Aging continues in concrete for several months, followed by additional bottle time before release. The goal is clarity of fruit and texture rather than overt oak influence or heavy stabilization, with only minimal sulfur used at bottling.

In the glass, the 2024 shows a profile that sits between white and light skin contact wine. Expect notes of lemon peel, green almond, white peach, and a faint ginger spice, layered over a slightly savory, saline core. The texture is what defines it most, a gentle grip that frames the fruit and gives the wine shape without weighing it down. It is one of those Sicilian whites that feels both easygoing and quietly serious, especially with a light chill and food.