In 1773, John Woodhouse set sail from England and landed in the Sicilian port of Marsala. Captivated by the local wine, he decided to fortify it with alcohol, bring it back to England, and start commercializing it. This marked the birth of Marsala, the famous fortified wine.
In 1833, Vincenzo Florio founded the Florio Winery, becoming the first Italian company to produce fortified Marsala wine, establishing a legacy that continues to this day.
The Florio Wineries of Marsala: A Taste of Sicily by the Sea
Perched on the shores of western Sicily, the Florio Winery is infused with the energy of the sea and winds. Here, in this serene environment, the oak barrels that house Florio Marsala wines quietly age, moving only through time. Hundreds of barrels, vats and casks, each with its own story, breathe in the salty air through the tuff stone floors, inside the soaring arches where aromas and architecture blend harmoniously. In this enchanting place, where the essence of Sicilian beauty is distilled, Florio Marsala wines are crafted, each developing its unique and complex flavors through the interplay of space, time and oxygen.
«In 1773, John Woodhouse arrived in Marsala and was instantly captivated by the locally produced wine»
The Marsala Denomination of Origin: A Coastal Sicilian Treasure
The Marsala Denomination of Origin is located in a defined area of western Sicily. Within this region, along the coastal strip of Marsala, lies the agronomic zone where the white grapes used to create Florio Marsala wines are cultivated. This unique terroir, with its ideal climate and proximity to the sea, plays a crucial role in shaping the quality of Florio Marsala.
The Vineyards: Where Sun, Sand and Sea Create a Unique Wine
The vineyards, cultivated in dry, sandy soils scorched by the sun, share a special bond with the sea. Here, extreme conditions – high temperatures, strong winds and the powerful influence of the sea – leave a distinct mark on the Grillo white grapes, from which Florio Wine is made. This wine is a pure expression of the “agro-marine” terroir of western Sicily, and serves as the base for the creation of Marsala Doc. All Florio Marsala categories are born from different fortifications of this initial Florio Wine, each reflecting the unique characteristics of its origin.
The Florio Wine Transformation: A Journey of Fortification
At the end of fermentation, Florio Wine is ready for its “innamoramento” (fortification), the moment when it meets the added alcohol that will shape its future organoleptic evolution. This crucial step in the winemaking process defines the rich, complex flavors that Florio Marsala are known for.
«The “innamoramento” – the fortification – marks the official birth of Marsala wine»
The “Innamoramento”: The Birth of Marsala at Florio Winery
The “innamoramento” marks the transition from the processes that create wine («atte a dare Vino») driven by the agronomic season, to those that produce Marsala («atte a dare Marsala»), shaped by the passage of time as it ages in the cellar. This moment represents the official birth of “Marsala in the making”. It’s the baptism of a “new creation” – Marsala – that grows and evolves in the Florio Winery, nurtured in a diverse climate, surrounded by oak barrels, time and human passion.
The Art of Fortification: Shaping the Future of Marsala
Fortification is one of the most crucial decisions in the Marsala-making process, as it defines the wine’s future, attempting to “imagine the impossible” – the potential of its organoleptic evolution. The winemaker tastes, listens and “feels” the batches of “wine destined to become Marsala” created during the harvest. For each, he selects the ideal method of fortification using three key elements: vinous ethyl alcohol, cooked must and mistella (made by adding alcohol to grape must to halt fermentation and preserve its natural sugars). This delicate process shapes the distinct identity of every Marsala wine.
«The sea plays a vital role, impacting the speed of maturation and defining the wine’s aromatic profile»
The Two Families of Florio Marsala
Florio Marsala wines are divided into two families, both aged in oak barrels: Marsala Vergine and Marsala Superiore. Marsala Vergine requires a minimum aging of 5 years, while Marsala Vergine Riserva ages for at least 10 years. Marsala Superiore, on the other hand, undergoes a minimum aging of 2 years, with Marsala Superiore Riserva maturing for at least 4 years.
The Sea and Time: The Influence on Marsala’s Aging Process
The sea plays a crucial role in the aging process of Marsala, shaping the wine’s concentration and aromatic profile. With the same amount of time in oak barrels, when they are closer to the sea, the temperature drops, humidity increases, and the concentration of Marsala is lower, giving rise to more brackish notes. On the other hand, moving further from the coast, the temperature rises, humidity decreases, and the wine becomes more concentrated with pronounced spicy flavors.
Time, therefore, becomes an essential and irreplaceable factor in the aging of Florio Marsala. It’s a slow and steady process, marked by the changing seasons, that, depending on the size and location of the barrels, leads the Florio Marsala to its perfect point of refinement.
«This is a remarkable place where the essence of Sicilian beauty is distilled»
WINERY OPENINGS, TOURS AND TASTINGS
– For info and reservations for tours and winery visits: Florio Winery Tours and Tastings or visitaflorio@cantineflorio.it or tel. 0039 0923 781 305-306-317)
– 8 tour and tasting possibilities:
Tour Florio (tour inside Florio Winery with tasting of 3 Wine/Marsala, duration 1.15 h, about 25 euros per person, children 0-5 years only tour)
Tour Premium Florio (tour inside Florio Winery with tasting of 3 Wine/Marsala, duration 1.30 h, about 30 euros per person, children 0-5 years only tour)
Florio Food&Wine (food and wine tour inside Florio Winery with food-wine pairing with tasting of 4 Wine/Marsala, duration 1.30 h, about 40 euros per person, children 0-5 years only tour, from April to October)
Tour Masterclass Marsala Florio (tour inside Florio Winery with an in-depth look at the process of making Marsala Florio with tasting of 5 Vino/Marsala, duration 1.45 h, about 40 euros per person, children not allowed)
Florio Summer Tour (tour inside Florio Winery with final stop on the Terraces Florio with aperitif and food and wine pairings with tasting of 3 Wine/Marsala, if weather conditions do not allow to enjoy the outdoor terrace the tasting will be moved to one of the winery’s rooms, duration 1.30 h, about 35 euros per person, children 0-5 years only tour, from June to August)
Lunch Tasting Franca Florio (tour inside Florio Winery with 4 courses and pairing Wine/Marsala tasting, duration 2.30 h, about 70 euros per person, for groups of minimum 30 people)
Dinner at the Florios (tour inside Florio Winery with subsequent 4-course dinner, duration 3.30 h, from 120 euros per person, for groups of minimum 30 people)
For Groups and Foreigners (for groups and special requests, tours can also be arranged in French or Spanish in addition to Italian and English, for groups of minimum 20 people; for info write to visitaflorio@cantineflorio.it)
– All guests are asked to arrive at Cantine Florio 10 minutes before the start of the tour (in case of delay, the visit with tasting cannot be guaranteed)
– Small pets are welcome if held for the duration of the experience
–Possibility of organizing private events at the Florio Winery (available terrace overlooking the sea, meeting room, historical rooms and tasting rooms: all with different capacities and characteristics, suitable for different needs such as aperitifs, lunches, dinners, business meetings, private events and weddings; write to visitaflorio@cantineflorio.it)
– The organizer can confirm the appointment or get in touch to arrange an alternative time
– Event fees will be charged by credit card and will be charged only when the organizer has confirmed the appointment
– Payment for this reservation is non-refundable
CONTACTS
Via Vincenzo Florio 1
91025 Marsala (TP)
tel. 0923 781 111
info@cantineflorio.it
www.cantineflorio.it
