Takes its name from the strong, cold and dry northeast wind originating in Greece, a defining force across Sicily that shapes vineyard conditions by bringing freshness, tension and balance to otherwise warm Mediterranean climates. This natural influence is central to the identity of Grecale, a wine designed to reflect wind, altitude and soil rather than cellar intervention.

Mare Nostrum Vini is a small, Mediterranean-focused producer working with a low-intervention philosophy that prioritises site expression, climate and soil over winemaking manipulation. The project is built around clarity and restraint, allowing each wine to express its origin through natural structure and energy.

Grecale 2022 is 100% Catarratto from Palermo, Sicily, Italy, grown at 480m altitude on clay-limestone and sandy soils. The elevation is crucial in preserving acidity and precision in Catarratto, while the combination of soil types adds both texture and mineral definition. The vines are 20 years old, providing balance between freshness and concentration.

Winemaking is deliberately minimal: the grapes are direct-pressed and fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel, followed by an extended 36 months élevage on fine lees in tank, which builds subtle texture and depth without any influence of oak. This long maturation enhances mouthfeel while preserving linearity and purity.

On the palate, Catarratto shows citrus peel, green apple and white peach, layered with almond, wild herbs and a saline mineral edge. The extended lees ageing adds a gentle creaminess and mid-palate weight, balancing the wine’s firm acidity and coastal freshness. The finish is long, dry and distinctly saline, echoing its Mediterranean origin.

The result is a wine of precision and restraint, where wind, altitude and limestone soils define its structure and energy. Grecale is a focused expression of Sicilian white wine, shaped more by nature than by winemaking.