Principi di Butera
Tenuta Principi di Butera is located in the province of Caltanissetta in the ‘Riesi’ DOC appellation, the home of Sicily’s great autochthonous varietals and ideal homeland of Nero d’Avola. The property is located along the axis that connects two of the seven UNESCO World Heritage sites in Sicily: the Valley of the Temples (Agrigento) and Villa Romana del Casale (Piazza Armerina), a propitious anticipation of artistic and natural wonders.
The Estate develops around an ancient feudal fortification that belonged to the Principi di Butera (Princes of Butera) and has been completely restored, fully respecting the original architecture.
The chronicles relating to the Princes of Butera are deeply interwoven with the millennial history of the island, which, thanks to its geographical position in the Mediterranean, has been a crossroads of civilizations for centuries. The earliest reference to the origin of the noble title dates back to 1543, the year in which the aristocrat Ambrogio Branciforte was appointed Prince of Butera by Philip II, the King of Spain. The Branciforte dynasty is considered among the most important in Sicilian history, and the title remained influential until 1800.
In addition to being an extraordinary reserve of biodiversity, the lands of Principi di Butera are ideally suited to sustainable viticulture: the variety and organic resources of the soils, combined with the particularities of the microclimate, create a distinguished and inimitable terroir.
The vineyards are located at an altitude of between 320 and 350 metres a.s.l., between two hilly stretches with an elevation up to 700 metres a.s.l., and about 10 km from the Mediterranean coast. The soils are characterized by a rich component of limestone rocks, dark clays and marl. The Estate enjoys a unique combination of a hot and arid climate, breezes coming from both the sea and the neighbouring hills, long and constant solar radiation throughout the year, and very marked differences in day-to-night-time temperature ranges.
The main vine is the autochthonous Nero d’Avola, the oenological symbol of the island all over the world. On the Estate, these grapes achieve very high levels of elegance and finesse, fostering and promoting experimentation and the development of new and exclusive methods. This has given rise to a series of elegant, intense and long-lived reds, and a highly sophisticated Classic Method sparkling wine, the first example of white vinification of Nero d’Avola. Other varieties have also found an excellent terroir here, such as the autochthonous whites, Insolia and Grillo, the Moscato Giallo and, among the international varieties, Chardonnay and the reds Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
These fine grapes are vinified with absolute respect for the raw materials in the new Principi di Butera winery. In this building, which fits harmoniously into the architectural and naturalistic context of the Estate, the red wines age at a constant temperature in precious 3000-litre and 6000-litre Slavonian oak barrels and fine 350-litre French oak tonneaux.
Total surface area: 320 hectares
Vineyards: 170 hectares
Principi di Butera, sustainable viticulture
The Estate pays great attention to the protection of biodiversity, which is particularly rich in this area, and has developed its own sustainable approach both in combatting pests and in the management of water, a very precious resource on the island.
The protection of flora and fauna is ensured by maintaining 50 hectares of arable land and pasture and 25 hectares of olive groves, certified organic in both areas. Even the soil’s microfauna is subject to specific care: to preserve the biodiversity of the soils, Principi di Butera uses green manure, an agronomic practice that involves the planting of specific crops in order to maintain or increase the fertility of the soil. In addition, since 2017, the use of weedkillers has been eliminated throughout the company and fertilizers are exclusively organic in origin.
Insecticides have been replaced by using the natural method of sexual disorientation, which is essential for protecting the vineyards from the European moth. The spread of vine pests is combated by adopting organic methods of defence in the vineyard based on the use of living organisms.
Principi di Butera has long benefitted from an efficient rainwater-collection system. The water flows into a large basin measuring some 127,000 m3 and is used for emergency irrigation. Irrigation also takes place using the ‘drip’ method, managed digitally via the ‘Vintel’ device. Thanks to this technology, the irrigation of the vineyards can be planned and rationalized based on the weather forecast. Finally, special pressure chambers facilitate the prompt measurement of the hydration levels of individual vines, ensuring irrigation only when strictly necessary.
Principi di Butera, warm hospitality
The Estate is open to the public and offers numerous options for visiting the vineyards, followed by tastings or lunches. It is also pleased to offer guests a unique and exclusive accommodation inside the ancient farmhouse.
All areas of the Principi di Butera winery are open to the public. The wine tours start here and include a visit to the vineyards followed by different types of guided tastings, including vertical, accompanied by pairings with Sicilian cold cuts and cheeses or traditional Sicilian dishes. In the summer, the Estate organizes sunset aperitifs inside the olive groves and vineyards accompanied by live music.
Within the walls of the ancient fortification of Principi di Butera lies an elegant resort that offers four forms of accommodation, representing a unique opportunity to experience the atmosphere of tranquillity that makes the Estate unique. It also offers special experiences such as Cooking Classes, which are led by the chef of Principi di Butera, followed by a tasting of the prepared dishes paired with a selection of wines, or a vertical tasting of three vintages of Deliella, structured in order to enable guests to understand and fully appreciate Sicily’s preeminent vine, Nero d’Avola.