The Lock - Stefano Ientile

My name is Stefano Ientile, and since 2011, after studying architecture and pursuing many other passions, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly to the care and maintenance of my family's estate.

The organic La Chiusa farm is located in the La Chiusa-Beviero district of Montevago (Agrigento), in southwestern Sicily, 400 meters above sea level and 20 km from the coast, on a limestone plateau constantly caressed by the Libeccio and Mistral winds. Adjacent to the ruins of the old town (destroyed by the 1968 earthquake), the farm extends across almost 10 hectares of vineyards and olive groves. The grapes enjoy a gentle climate, the salty sea breezes, just a short distance away, are gentle, and the land, always generous, gives the fruit unique minerality and aromas. My family and I have invested in quality, craftsmanship, and respect for the land and the environment. I grow and vinify Catarratto, Grillo, Syrah, Nerello Mascalese, and Perricone without the use of chemicals, embracing the essence of the fruit and enhancing its natural characteristics. I returned to this place rich in history to make wine and relearn from wine. Terroir and biodiversity The estate is divided into two agronomically distinct parts, and a "lavinaro" (natural drainage channel) marks the boundary between them. The southern part is composed primarily of "red soils" of calcareous, medium-clayey, and sometimes almost sandy nature. The latter is home to predominantly native white grape varieties (Catarratto and Grillo), which, thanks also to adequate exposure and constant ventilation, ripen with a sustained acidity, thus distinguishing themselves from the expressions already known on the island, such as those grown at sea level. Because of this peculiarity, we have strongly desired to assert the Santa Margherita di Belice denomination of origin on our labels. The northern part, with a prevalence of medium-textured clay soil, is home to Syrah grapes and, in recent years, the new plantings of Perricone and Nerello Mascalese. From the small parcel of Syrah, we obtain our current four variations. Four different approaches to this noble and ancient grape variety, four distinct winemaking methods that reflect the vineyard's natural diversity. La Chiusa enjoys an innate biodiversity thanks to the presence of countless wild and cultivated species. As thousands of years ago, the vines embrace olive trees, and fruit trees such as citrus, almond, and carob alternate amidst a green blanket of endemic herbs that evolve from season to season. This ecosystem provides the land, the vineyards, and the grapes with a natural source of nutrients and organic matter. Together with the characteristics of the soil, the fruit retains a distinct aromatic memory and intense varietal expression, fostering a well-defined territorial identity. Organic Winery The privileged conditions enjoyed by Sicily, and particularly our region, allow me to easily manage, nourish, and care for the land organically; the use of herbicides, fungicides, and synthetic products are excluded from my agronomic practices. I supplement the soil with organic matter, alternating manure with legumes. I practice spontaneous grassing and green manure, with shallow plowing, always as late as possible before the intense summer heat, and then... hoe! I carefully remove shoots and occasionally thin out the vines to keep yields low, with further selection of the best grapes at harvest time. Therefore, I monitor the vineyard and other crops, reading and interpreting the dynamics and unexpected events of the year. The vineyards are all dry, relying on fresh, well-drained soils; new plantings have already confirmed this, even in scorching heat. The vintages also suggest increasingly limited use of sulfur and copper, the latter of which has recently been used less and less. Being in a hilly, windy area, the biggest concerns are pesky powdery mildew attacks in early summer. Lately, I've been exploring biodynamic preparations, homeopathic products, and mycorrhizae.