Alessandro Viola Rosso "Isi" 2022
We have 11 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
On the limestone slopes of Mount Bonifato, just inland from the Tyrrhenian coast of northwestern Sicily, Alessandro Viola farms Nero d’Avola in conditions few associate with restraint. But here, elevation, wind, and mineral-rich soils create a tension between ripeness and finesse. The vineyards—sandy, stony, and sunlit—give the variety a different voice: less about density, more about clarity. This is a Sicily shaped not just by heat, but by sea breeze, altitude, and time.
The Wine
Isi 2022 is a pure, unadorned expression of Nero d’Avola—fermented spontaneously with native yeasts, unfiltered, unfined, and made without sulfur. The wine may be a natural wine but it does not present as overtly “natty”. It shows the grape in a fresh, lifted register: juicy red plum, sour cherry, blood orange, and hints of Mediterranean scrub. There’s a gentle grip, a savory mineral streak, and a persistent finish that feels more earth-and-herb than fruit-and-sugar. No oak, no artifice—just soil, grape, and sunshine. It’s a wine that feels alive in the glass, vibrant and disarmingly easy to drink without being simple.
The People
Alessandro Viola is one of the quiet visionaries of the Sicilian natural wine movement. A trained oenologist who chose nature over control, he farms organically and eschews additions in the cellar—working with trust in his fruit and patience in his process. For Viola, wine is a form of expression, not perfection. His wines are guided by instinct and grounded in place. They’re not designed to chase trends or mimic continental polish—they’re meant to taste like Alcamo, like sun and wind and limestone and fruit. Honest, joyful, and alive.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
Sicily, Italy’s largest island, blends ancient wine traditions with a fresh wave of modern creativity. Its star red grape, Nero d’Avola, thrives in the island’s warm, sun-soaked climate, producing intensely flavored wines with dark fruit and a hint of savory spice. Along the western coast lies the historic heartland of Marsala, a fortified wine prized for both sweet and dry styles. Rising above the island’s varied landscapes is Mount Etna, an active volcano whose mineral-rich soils and cooler elevations result in elegantly structured reds and nuanced whites. From coast to crater, Sicily’s wine culture is as diverse and vibrant as the region itself.
Italy - Sicily
Nero d'Avola is Sicily's most widely planted grape, originally grown near the town of Avola in the island's southeast. It thrives in Sicily’s warm Mediterranean climate and sandy limestone soils, producing medium to full-bodied red wines. Typically, Nero d'Avola offers flavors of ripe blackberry and plum with hints of spice. The wines have balanced acidity and a solid structure, making them enjoyable young or aged for a few years. Though closely linked to Sicily, Nero d'Avola is also increasingly popular in warm climates like Australia and California.
Nero d'Avola
Practicing Organic vineyard farming involves growing grapes using organic methods—avoiding synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides—but without formal certification. Wineries adopting this approach prioritize environmental health, soil vitality, and biodiversity, using natural practices such as composting, cover cropping, and manual pest control. Many small wineries opt for practicing organic methods rather than pursuing official organic certification, primarily due to the significant cost, paperwork, and time commitment involved in certification processes. As a result, practicing organic is a popular choice among boutique and artisanal producers who remain committed to sustainable agriculture while managing budgetary constraints.
