Marabino Muscatedda Moscato di Noto, Sicilia, Italy

From the sun-bleached limestone soils of southern Sicily comes a wine that feels carved from the land itself. The 2021 Marabino Muscatedda Moscato di Noto captures the wild, aromatic soul of Val di Noto, its warm Mediterranean breezes, its scrubby hillsides, its dazzling white earth that seems to glow under the summer sun. Dry in style yet deeply expressive, it embodies a side of Moscato that is both ancient and quietly radical: textured, mineral, savory, and profoundly tied to its place.

Product Details:

• Winemaker/ Owner: Pierpaolo Messina
• Grape Variety: 100% Moscato di Noto
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Soils: White calcareous limestone
• Exposure: West-facing
• Elevation: 65 meters
• Vinification: 15-day skin contact; spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel
• Aging: Stainless steel until spring; continuous bâtonnage following lunar cycles
• Style: Dry, naturally made, with tannic structure

Sensory Description:

Aromatic yet strikingly austere, the wine opens with Mediterranean scrub, warm citrus oils, spiced peach, elderflower, and subtle Meyer lemon peel. Stone-fruit tones mingle with a lifted floral character, while the palate is linear and taut, driven by bright acidity and a gentle tannic frame from the extended skin contact. Mineral salinity, a hallmark of Val di Noto’s white limestone soils, lingers long after each sip.

Winemaker's Background:

Marabino, established in 2002 and led by winemaker Pierpaolo Messina since 2008, farms 27 hectares in the Buonivini district of Noto using strict organic and biodynamic principles. After completing his studies in Siena and working alongside Tuscan biodynamic pioneers, Messina returned to Sicily with a philosophy rooted in natural farming, lunar rhythms, and non-interventionist winemaking. Today, Marabino produces wines exclusively from estate-grown fruit, Moscato di Noto, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Nero d’Avola, crafted without synthetic chemicals or oenological additives, allowing the territory’s character to shine through with purity and intention.

Serving Suggestions:

This dry, mineral-driven Moscato di Noto pairs beautifully with Sicilian seafood, grilled prawns, octopus salads, swordfish carpaccio, or citrus-infused crudo. It also complements fresh cheeses, herbed poultry, sushi, and vegetable-forward dishes such as fennel salads, roasted peppers, or grilled zucchini. Serve slightly chilled, around 10–12°C, to emphasize its floral lift, textural depth, and vibrant acidity.

The 2021 Marabino Muscatedda Moscato di Noto is a rare expression of Sicily’s only indigenous white grape, offering a resonant and gripping portrait of Val di Noto’s limestone-rich terroir. Austere, elegant, and deeply evocative, it is a wine that rewards curiosity and invites contemplation with every glass.