Feudo Montoni
Nero d’Avola Vrucara Prephylloxera Sicilia DOC
Vrucara is the name of the cru from which the grapes hail. It takes this name from the presence of vruca, a Sicilian word for a bush that grows spontaneously around the vineyard. This herb has aromas of menthol mixed with those of incense oil that is almost palpable in the resulting wine. Vrucara is the product of a vineyard with ancient roots, sourced from prephylloxera vines that are considered to be the “mother plants” of the estate’s Nero d'Avola. These unique vines hold an ancient genetic code of the grape, preserved for centuries in Feudo Montoni’s vineyards. This wine reflects the deep history of Sicilian viticulture, with Vrucara being a prime example of Feudo Montoni’s commitment to preserving ancient grape varieties. The vineyard’s soils, rich in clay and sand, contribute to the uniqueness of the wine, offering a complex structure that reflects the island’s terroir.
Vintage Factsheets
The grapes come from prephylloxera vines, which are often referred to as "mother plants" and are considered to hold the ancient genetic code of Nero d’Avola, carefully preserved at Montoni for centuries. The vineyard, located in clay and sand soils, faces east, capturing the early morning sun, which helps the grapes ripen slowly and develop their full aromatic potential. These vines, with their ancient heritage, give the wine a unique and complex character, offering a direct link to centuries of winemaking tradition.
- Region
- Sicily
- Appellation
- Sicilia DOC
- Varietal Composition
- Nero d'Avola
- Aging
- 40 months of aging in cement and 4 months in barrels to round out the wine's texture, before spending 8 months in the bottle.
- Alcohol
- 14%
A bright ruby red color, Vrucara is intense and persistent on the nose with earthy aromas, notes of red plum and dark berries, which are in harmony with notes of rose petal, vanilla, balsamic, eucalyptus and licorice. Soft and velvety on the palate, with a delicate acidity and well-balanced and soft tannins.
Wine Advocate
93 Points
2020
"The organic Feudo Montoni 2020 Sicilia Nero d'Avola Vrucara is a wine that vintner Fabio Sireci has been working to improve for many years. It remains one of the best expressions of the grape on the market today. Since the 2017 vintage, it has included 15% stems. The "progetto raspi" is something that was passed down from Fabio's father, Elio. The trick is to avoid the bitterness of the stems, something Fabio does by sun-drying the fruit on cane mats as if it were an appassimento. The wine ages in cement for 40 months. The fruit comes from a 2.2-hectare site with clay and sand at 500 meters in elevation. This vintage (with 4,800 bottles created) shows a very ripe fruit profile with blackberry, baked plum and grilled herb. Those robust flavors fold into a medium-plus mouthfeel that is indeed soft and plush, with no astringency. Soft mineral tones give a sense of brightness to the finish."
— Monica Larner, 2025
