From Pantelleria, where wind and salt constantly shape the vines, Marco de Bartoli has long championed Zibibbo as a serious dry wine grape rather than just a base for sweet styles.

Pietra Nera comes from the north-facing vineyards of Contrada Cufurà and Contrada Ghirlanda, a cooler exposure that helps preserve acidity and aromatics despite the island’s intense sun. These sites sit on volcanic soils that bring a distinct mineral edge and tension to the wine.

Marco de Bartoli first produced Pietra Nera in 1989, at a time when Zibibbo was still overwhelmingly associated with sweet or fortified styles. It was a quiet but important shift: showing that one of Pantelleria’s most aromatic grapes could also speak clearly in a dry, structured form.

The 2024 continues that idea. Orange blossom, apricot and mandarin sit alongside jasmine, citrus peel and a saline, almost iodine-like mineral note. The fruit is expressive but controlled, shaped by wind, altitude and the island’s volcanic soils rather than ripeness alone.

On the palate it is dry, precise and lightly textural. There is aromatic intensity, but also a clear mineral spine that keeps everything linear. The finish is clean and persistent, with citrus and floral notes fading into a faint salty edge.

A landmark dry Zibibbo from Pantelleria, built on the idea that aromatic grapes can also be defined by structure, tension and place rather than sweetness.