The story of Fazio Winery began in the late 1990s, rooted in the dedication of a family that has been cultivating vines and producing wine for four generations. Thanks to the efforts of Lilly Fazio – one of the leading women in Sicilian winemaking – and the founding partners, the winery now exports to over 20 countries, including major European markets, the U.S., Canada, Japan and China.
The winery’s mission is clear: to promote and tell the story of the Erice Doc, a designation in which the Fazio family has played a pivotal role. Today, the winery is the leading producer in terms of bottle volume and brand visibility for Erice Doc wines. Each wine reflects the identity of the region, deeply rooted in tradition while embracing contemporary winemaking.
«Lilly Fazio is Vice President of Assovini Sicilia and a member of the “Le Donne del Vino” association»
Erice Doc: A Timeless Wine Region Shaped by History and Nature
The Erice Doc has always been the flagship of Casa Vinicola Fazio, representing a region rich in historic landmarks and stunning natural beauty.
This winemaking area includes the towns of Erice, Buseto Palizzolo, Valderice, Custonaci, Castellammare del Golfo, Paceco and Trapani. These lands have long been dedicated to viticulture, with a winemaking tradition that spans millennia, shaping the identity of this unique part of Sicily.
The landscape is rolling and predominantly hilly, with dark, medium-textured soils rich in limestone and clay. The region enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate, with distinct microclimates and zones influenced by the coastal winds.
«Promote the winery’s wines by showcasing the territory and reveal the territory’s essence through its wines»
Fazio’s Vineyards: Where Indigenous and International Grapes Thrive
The estate’s vineyards, planted according to the exposure and composition of the soils, span elevations between 250 and 600 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Erice.
Covering around 50 hectares, the production area stretches across the rolling hills of Torretta, Trapani (Baglio Nuovo, Cialotta, Canalottelli) and Buseto Palizzolo (Ragoleo and Trentasalme).
The unique soil and climate conditions make this area ideal for cultivating a wide variety of grapes, including both indigenous varieties (Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone, Grillo, Catarratto, Carricante, Insolia, Moscato Bianco and a rare red grape called Vitrarolo) and international ones (Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Müller Thurgau, the crown jewel of Casa Vinicola Fazio’s vineyards, which thrives in this environment).
«Their historic vineyards produce high-quality niche wines»
The “Vigne di Pietrasacra” Project: Historic Vineyards, Niche Wines
But it is with the “Vigne di Pietrasacra ” project that the Fazio family celebrates some of the main varieties of the Sicilian winemaking tradition, enhancing historical vineyards with a high average age (over 70 years old Catarratto, between 50 and 30 years old Nero D’Avola, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon) and that, over the years, have shown an extraordinary ability to adapt to the reference habitat and climate change.
This project focuses on small, niche productions, with vineyard plots just under 2 hectares in size, yielding low quantities per vine to ensure superior quality. The result is wines of great structure and complexity, aged in barrique and representing the pinnacle of Casa Vinicola Fazio’s portfolio. These signature labels harmonize with the stunning landscape from which they originate, capturing the true essence of the Erice territory and showcasing the vibrant colors and aromas of this unique part of Sicily.
«Showcasing this land and its fruits through research, all while respecting nature»
The Winery’s Manifesto: Respect for Nature and Sustainability
All vineyard management practices at Fazio Winery are guided by a simple principle: wine is made in the vineyard. This approach, enriched year after year with harvest data, emphasizes respect for nature and sustainability, serving as the winery’s manifesto and the driving force behind all its production processes. The best practices implemented revolve around a common goal: the responsible use of natural resources to minimize human intervention and environmental impact. This is made possible by a deep understanding of the terroir and the relationship between the environment and the vines. As a result of this sustainable approach, the winery has earned SOStain and Viva certifications, the latter being part of the Italian Ministry of the Environment’s program promoting sustainability in the country’s wine sector.
«The Erice DOC holds vast potential, both in the vineyard and the cellar»
Innovation Meets Tradition: The Heart of Fazio Winery’s Cellar
If the vineyards are the heart of the winery, the cellar – where everything from vinification to aging and bottling takes place – is its control center. This cutting-edge facility stays true to its roots and traditions while utilizing the latest machinery and production processes. Sustainability in the cellar means technology that prevents waste, reduces consumption and ensures safety. Wines destined for oak aging complete their journey in an underground, temperature-controlled barrel room. Here, aging occurs in a mix of 225-liter barriques and 30-hectoliter casks, with 90% French oak and 10% American oak.
«Guests are welcomed by the colorful “Soffio Aereo su Fulgatore” mural, a symbol of optimism»
“Soffio Aereo su Fulgatore”: The Inspiring Mural at Fazio Winery
In the welcoming area of the Fazio Winery in Fulgatore, a charming hamlet in the Trapani countryside that feels like a step back in time, visitors are immediately drawn to a vibrant mural filled with color and passion. Created by Lilly Fazio and Palermo artist Nicola Pucci, “Soffio Aereo su Fulgatore” captures the winery’s forward-looking spirit. The mural depicts a young girl blowing towards a small twin-engine plane, symbolizing the spread of wine culture, the Erice Doc, and the Fazio Winery to the world, with a focus on future generations – a key pillar of the company’s optimistic outlook.
«The winery features cutting-edge facilities that produce exceptional sparkling wines and spirits»
Fazio Winery’s Warm Hospitality: An Inviting Tasting Experience
The Fazio family warmly welcomes wine lovers and enthusiasts to explore their vineyards and winery, offering tastings of their labels paired with traditional Sicilian dishes. Guests are greeted with a cozy, familial atmosphere, led by Lilly Fazio and her husband, where the focus is on the winemaking process and the promotion of the Erice Doc.
Both the winery and tasting area are open by appointment only, allowing for a highly personalized experience, including tailored wine and food pairings and a dedicated lunch menu to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
«Fazio’s approach to hospitality blends history, tradition and local food and wine, offering a rich cultural experience»
WINERY OPENINGS, TOURS AND TASTINGS & WINE CATALOG
– Monday through Friday with reservations required (to make reservations: tel. 0039 0923 811 700, enoturismo@faziowines.it, www.casavinicolafazio.it/en/wine-tourism/)
– 7 tasting possibilities:
Wine / Discover Fazio (guided tour of the winery with focus on the production cycle and Doc Erice, tasting of 6 wines including 2 bubblies + 2 whites + 2 reds, Monday to Friday subject to availability, h 11 and h 15, about 25 euros per person)
Wine / Mont’Elimo (guided tour of the winery with a focus on indigenous grape varieties and the production of the youngest vineyards, tasting of 5 wines from the Mont’Elimo line strictly indigenous – Catarratto, Grillo, Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola and Perricone, Monday to Friday subject to availability, h 11 and h 15, about 20 euros per person)
Wine / Red in Reverse (guided tour of the winery with a focus on the production cycle of the reds of Doc Erice, backward tasting of 4 red wines from the youngest to the most aged, Monday to Friday upon availability, h 11 and h 15, about 30 euros per person)
Wine / Sicilian Whites (guided tour of the winery with a focus on the production cycle of the whites of Doc Erice, tasting of 4 representative white wines of Doc Erice – Catarratto, Grillo, Zibibbo and Muller Thurgau, Monday to Friday upon availability, h 11 and h 15, about 25 euros per person)
Wine & Food / Sicilia Express (guided tour of the winery with a focus on the production cycle and on native and non-native grape varieties, tasting of 3 wines paired with samples of “street food” from the culinary tradition of Trapani, Monday through Friday upon availability, h 11, about 25 euros per person)
Wine & Food / Bruschetta Time (guided tour of the winery with focus on the production cycle and on native and non-native grape varieties, tasting of 4 wines paired with gourmet bruschetta, Monday through Friday upon availability, h 11, about 35 euros per person)
Wine & Food / Trapanese Lunch (guided tour of the winery with focus on the production cycle and Doc Erice, tasting of 5 wines paired with typical Trapanese food, Monday through Friday upon availability, h 13, minimum 4 people, about 50 euros per person)
– For particolar requests or for customizations call or send an email or alternatively use the form on the web page www.casavinicolafazio.it/en/wine-tourism/
CONTACTS
Via Capitano Rizzo 39
91010 Fulgatore (TP)
tel. 0923 811 700
info@faziowines.it
www.casavinicolafazio.it
