Siracusa DOC

The ancient city of Syracuse has a 2,700-year history, founded by Greek colonists who went on to make it one of the great Mediterranean naval powers. Moscato Bianco has been grown in the surrounding region for more than 2,500 years, giving Siracusa one of the longest continuous winemaking traditions in the world. Moscato di Siracusa received its own DOC designation in 1973, and in 2011 it merged into the broader Siracusa DOC, consolidating the appellation's identity under a single classification.

• Syracuse founded by Greek colonists over 2,700 years ago
• Moscato Bianco cultivation in the region spans more than 2,500 years
• Moscato di Siracusa awarded DOC status in 1973
• Full Siracusa DOC formed in 2011 through merger

Siracusa DOC covers just 21 hectares in the southeastern corner of Sicily, encompassing the low hills and plains surrounding the ancient port city of Siracusa. Elevation ranges from sea level to 984 feet. The Mediterranean climate delivers hot summers and mild, rainy winters, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius during the tourist season and 526mm of annual rainfall. Soils are a varied mix of clay, limestone, volcanic ashes, and calcareous material, providing complexity and structure to the vines.

• Southeastern Sicily, centered on the ancient port city of Siracusa
• Soils include clay, limestone, volcanic ash, and calcareous material
• Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, rainy winters
• Elevation spans sea level to 984 feet across hills and plains

The appellation produces dry red Rosso wines, white Bianco wines, sweet Moscato wines, and sparkling spumante. Nero d'Avola anchors the red wines, required at a minimum of 65% in any Rosso blend. Moscato Bianco is the prestige white variety, required at a minimum of 40% in Bianco wines and a minimum of 85% in Moscato di Siracusa wines. Syrah is also grown in the region. The name similarity between Syrah and Siracusa is purely coincidental and no botanical connection exists between the two.

• Nero d'Avola minimum 65% in Rosso wines
• Moscato Bianco minimum 85% in Moscato di Siracusa wines
• Moscato Bianco minimum 40% in Bianco wines
• Styles include dry reds, whites, sweet Moscato, and sparkling spumante

Despite the appellation's small size, a handful of dedicated producers have established strong reputations. Pupillo and Cantine Gulino are well-regarded names with deep roots in the area. Fausta Mansio and Cantine Marabino represent smaller, focused estates. Planeta, one of Sicily's most prominent wine families, also produces within the appellation. Feudo Maccari rounds out the producer landscape with a focus on Nero d'Avola.

• Pupillo and Cantine Gulino among the most established local producers
• Planeta brings broader Sicilian winemaking expertise to the DOC
• Feudo Maccari focuses on Nero d'Avola expression
• Cantine Marabino and Fausta Mansio represent boutique estate production