When Mark and I started in this business, almost 30 years ago now, we did not look for fine wine from Sicily. If it existed, it certainly was not available in the U.S. market. Now, it's a very exciting wine region indeed. The Cusumano winery was established in 2001, when brothers Alberto and Diego, took over the management of the company from their father, Francesco. The Cusumanos had sold grapes but had not made their own wine. With their intimate knowledge of the Sicilian terrain and the help of their very talented winemaker consultant Mario Ronco, the Cusumano brothers today own over 400 hectares (nearly 1,000 acres) of vineyards. What's striking is that they hold this vineyard across 7 sites throughout Sicily.
With one foot in the present and another in the past, Alberto and Diego Cusumano have created a beautiful modern winery (two actually) with a respect to Sicily's colorful history and terroir. They farm in the western part of Sicily and source grapes from various parts of the island. They work primarily with the traditional grapes of Sicily (Insolia, Nero D'avola, Grillo...) in the context of the different and dramatic terroir of various parts of this wildly diverse volcanic island. It's exciting to see the diverse range of their wines from their various holdings.
Today, Cusumano grapes come from these vineyards:
- Ficuzza: 189 hectares, in Piana degli Albanesi in the province of Palermo
- Presti e Pegni: 70 hectares, on the hills of Monreale
- San Giacomo: 140 hectares, in Butera in the province of Caltanissetta
- Milioto: 3 hectares, in Partinico in the procince of Palermo
- Monte Pietroso: 30 hectares, in the territory of Monreale
- Marchesa: 50 hectares in the territory of Monreale
- Buonivini: 20 hectares, in the territory of Pachino
On Wednesday, February 10th, Diego Cusumano will be here and we'll be pouring his wines at dinner. These wines represent an incredible value and we want to bring them to you at an extrememly affordable price. Dinner with wine will be $99 per person plus tax and service.
Pre-Dinner Wine Tasting
6:30-7:15 PM
Etna Bianco “Alta Mora” 2014
Angimbe 2012 (Insola, Chardonnay)
Jale Chardonnay 2011
Etna Rosso “Alta Mora” 2013
Benuara 2013 (Nero di Avola, Syrah)
Cubia Insola 2011
Dinner
7:15 PM
A Selection of Crudo
Grillo “Shamaris” 2013
Venison Pate American, Sous Vide Egg, Parmgianno-Reggiano Crisp, Bone Marrow Brioche
aka: Venison Egg and Cheese Sandwich
Sagana 2011
Nero di Avola
Roasted Duck Breast with Blackberry Ginger
Noa 2012
Nero di Avola, Cabernet, Merlot
Biscotti
Moscato dello Zucco 2009
Cashew Financier
With Rosemary and Honey Ice Cream
(Menu Substitutions Available with Advance Notice)
Coffee
$99 per person
plus tax and service
[email protected] or 732-828-4444