Pure Expression of Erice
Agricola Fazio is the small, family-run organic winery of Nino Fazio, nestled in the hills of the Erice DOC in the province of Trapani, western Sicily. It is an artisanal project with a deep, generational connection to a specific, historic terroir — a place where the Mediterranean Sea meets the limestone and clay soils of the Trapani hills, creating a microclimate of extraordinary character and beauty. Nino Fazio is a passionate viticulturist who has dedicated his life to preserving his family's vineyards and practicing a low-intervention approach to winemaking that honors the indigenous grapes of Sicily and the unique ecosystem of his land. The philosophy is simple yet profound: to produce wines that are a pure and honest expression of the Sicilian terroir — wines that are both traditional and authentic, rooted in the past yet speaking to the present. The result is a small but highly regarded range of natural wines that have earned the attention of enthusiasts and critics who understand that Agricola Fazio represents something rare: a fusion of family tradition, organic viticulture, and an unwavering commitment to letting the land speak through the wine.
Family, Land & Low Intervention
The story of Agricola Fazio is a story of family, of land, and of a passionate viticulturist's determination to preserve his family's vineyards and express the unique character of the Erice terroir through wines of purity and authenticity. Nino Fazio is the heart and soul of the estate — a man who has dedicated his life to the vines, the soil, and the traditions of western Sicily. He is not merely a winemaker; he is a guardian of a specific, historic terroir, a steward of indigenous grapes, and a believer in the power of low-intervention winemaking to reveal the true character of the land.
The estate is located in the province of Trapani, in western Sicily, near the town of Erice — one of the most beautiful and historically significant towns in Sicily. Erice is a hilltop town of extraordinary beauty, perched 750 meters above sea level, with views that stretch from the Mediterranean Sea to the mountains of the interior. The vineyards of Agricola Fazio are planted on the hilly terrain that surrounds Erice, where the unique microclimate — influenced by the nearby sea, the altitude, and the constant winds — creates conditions of remarkable viticultural potential.
Nino Fazio's approach to winemaking is rooted in a deep respect for the land and a desire to produce wines that are a pure and honest expression of the Sicilian terroir. He believes in respecting the land and the grapes, creating wines that are both traditional and authentic. This philosophy extends from the vineyard to the cellar — from organic farming practices that nurture biodiversity and soil health, to hands-off winemaking techniques that allow the wine to develop its own character without forced intervention. For Nino, the wine is not a product to be manufactured but a living expression of the place, the season, and the grape — a reflection of the dialogue between nature and human care.
Today, Agricola Fazio is recognized as one of the most exciting small producers in the Erice DOC — a winery that has earned the attention of natural wine enthusiasts, critics, and fellow producers who understand that Nino's work represents something rare: a fusion of generational knowledge, organic viticulture, and an unwavering commitment to letting the land speak through the wine. The estate has been featured by The Grape Reset, Raisin, and a growing network of international importers and retailers who seek out wines of authenticity and place. Nino's wines are not merely beverages; they are stories — stories of a family, a hill, a sea breeze, and a sun that shines with an intensity found nowhere else in Europe.
"The philosophy is rooted in a desire to produce wines that are a pure and honest expression of the Sicilian terroir. They believe in respecting the land and the grapes, creating wines that are both traditional and authentic."
— The Grape Reset
Erice DOC & Limestone-Clay Hills
Agricola Fazio's vineyards are located in the Erice DOC, in the province of Trapani, western Sicily — a region of extraordinary viticultural character that stretches from the hilltop town of Erice to the Mediterranean coast. The Erice DOC is a relatively young denomination, established to recognize the unique geological and climatic conditions of this specific corner of Sicily — conditions that produce wines of remarkable freshness, minerality, and Mediterranean character. The Fazio family played an active and decisive role in obtaining the recognition of the Erice DOC, a testament to their deep commitment to the territory and their belief in its extraordinary potential.
The terroir is shaped by the proximity of the sea, the altitude of the hills, and the unique soil composition. The vineyards are planted on hilly terrain, with a mix of limestone and clay soils that provide both excellent drainage and mineral richness. The limestone contributes the distinct mineral backbone and fresh acidity that define the wines of Erice, while the clay provides body, structure, and the ability to retain moisture during the hot, dry Sicilian summers. The microclimate is influenced by the nearby Mediterranean Sea — warm, humid air that rises from the coast, tempered by cool breezes that descend from the hills. The result is a climate of remarkable balance: warm days that allow for full phenolic ripeness, cool nights that preserve acidity and freshness, and a constant air movement that keeps the vines healthy and reduces humidity-related diseases.
Farming at Agricola Fazio is organic, with a focus on maintaining a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem in the vineyard. Nino Fazio avoids the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers, relying instead on natural methods to nurture the soil and protect the vines. The focus is on biodiversity — on creating a vineyard environment where beneficial insects, native plants, and natural predators thrive, creating a self-regulating ecosystem that reduces the need for intervention. The harvest is entirely manual, with rigorous selection of only the healthiest, most concentrated bunches. Nino personally oversees every aspect of the viticultural cycle, from pruning to harvest, ensuring that the grapes that enter the cellar are of the highest quality and express the unique character of the Erice terroir.
The grape varieties are the indigenous treasures of Sicily — varieties that have adapted over centuries to the local soils, climate, and farming practices, and that produce wines of unmistakable regional character. The white grapes include Catarratto — the most widely planted white variety in Sicily, known for its body, structure, and savory complexity — Grillo, a variety of remarkable freshness and Mediterranean character that thrives in the coastal climate, and Inzolia, a traditional variety of aromatic complexity and almond notes. The red grape is Nero d'Avola — the king of Sicilian reds, a grape of remarkable depth, color, and tannic structure that produces wines of extraordinary power and elegance. Together, these varieties form the backbone of Agricola Fazio's portfolio — each one expressing a different facet of the Sicilian terroir, each one a pure, unadorned expression of place.
Province of Trapani, western Sicily. Near hilltop town of Erice (750m altitude). Hilly terrain with unique microclimate influenced by Mediterranean Sea. Warm days, cool nights, constant sea breezes. Remarkable viticultural potential. Fazio family played key role in obtaining Erice DOC recognition.
Mix of limestone and clay soils. Limestone contributes mineral backbone and fresh acidity. Clay provides body, structure, moisture retention. Excellent drainage. Distinctive Erice character: freshness, minerality, Mediterranean charm. Sea-influenced microclimate reduces humidity and disease.
Organic farming. No chemical pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. Focus on biodiversity and healthy ecosystem. Beneficial insects, native plants, natural predators. Self-regulating vineyard environment. Manual harvest with rigorous selection. Nino personally oversees every aspect of viticulture.
White: Catarratto (body, structure, savory), Grillo (freshness, Mediterranean character), Inzolia (aromatic complexity, almond). Red: Nero d'Avola (king of Sicilian reds, depth, color, tannic structure). All indigenous, adapted over centuries. Hand-harvested with rigorous selection.
Hands-Off & Stainless Steel Purity
At Agricola Fazio, the cellar philosophy is one of hands-off, low-intervention winemaking — a commitment to producing wines that are a pure and honest expression of the Sicilian terroir, with no forced corrections, no heavy manipulation, and no masking of the grape's natural character. Nino Fazio believes that the wine knows what it wants to become, and that his role is to guide, not to force — to bring in perfectly healthy, organically grown grapes and allow them to ferment, evolve, and express themselves with the minimum of human interference. The result is a small but highly regarded range of natural wines that are bright, fresh, and deeply expressive of the Erice terroir — wines that taste of the limestone hills, the sea breeze, and the indigenous grapes that have defined Sicilian viticulture for centuries.
The techniques are minimal, respectful, and deeply informed by Nino's commitment to natural expression:
"Catarratto" — The Signature White: The Catarratto is Agricola Fazio's signature white — the wine that has become a calling card for the estate in the natural wine world and beyond. Made from 100% Catarratto, it is a wine of extraordinary freshness, intense aroma, and a distinct mineral, savory character that captures the essence of the Erice terroir. Catarratto is the most widely planted white grape in Sicily — a variety of remarkable adaptability and structural depth that has been cultivated on the island for centuries. At Agricola Fazio, it finds a unique expression in the limestone-clay soils of the Trapani hills — a wine that combines the variety's natural body and structure with the mineral freshness and saline character imparted by the sea-influenced microclimate. The grapes are hand-harvested from the estate's organic vineyards, gently pressed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks — a vessel chosen to preserve the wine's primary fruit, vibrant acidity, and fresh character. No fining, no filtration. Minimal sulfur. In the glass, it is pale straw with greenish reflections. The nose offers citrus, green apple, white peach, almond, white flowers, and a distinct mineral, earthy note. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with good acidity, a textured mouthfeel, and a long, savory, mineral finish. It is a wine of great personality — the quintessential expression of Sicilian white wine. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. ~$14–$20 / ~€12–€18.
"Grillo" — The Aromatic White: The Grillo is Agricola Fazio's Grillo — a white wine of aromatic complexity, bright fruit, and a balance of Mediterranean warmth and fresh acidity that showcases one of Sicily's most beloved indigenous varieties. Grillo is a grape of remarkable versatility — capable of producing wines that range from crisp and refreshing to rich and textured, depending on the terroir and the winemaking approach. At Agricola Fazio, Grillo finds its expression in the limestone-clay soils and sea-influenced climate of Erice — a wine that captures the variety's natural aromatic intensity while adding a distinct mineral, saline dimension. The grapes are hand-harvested, gently pressed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel. In the glass, it is pale straw. The nose offers lemon zest, green apple, white peach, almond, white flowers, and a hint of Mediterranean herbs. The palate is crisp, medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a slightly textured mouthfeel, and a long, clean, mineral finish. It is a wine of both immediate pleasure and subtle complexity — perfect with seafood, grilled fish, or simply as an aperitif. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. ~$14–$20 / ~€12–€18.
"Inzolia" — The Traditional White: The Inzolia is Agricola Fazio's Inzolia — a wine that connects the estate to centuries of Sicilian viticultural tradition, a grape that has been cultivated on the island since antiquity and that continues to produce wines of remarkable charm and authenticity. Inzolia is a variety of aromatic complexity, almond notes, and the ability to thrive in the warm, dry climate of Sicily — a grape that forms the backbone of many of the island's traditional white wines. At Agricola Fazio, it is fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel, preserving its delicate aromatics and fresh character. In the glass, it is pale straw. The nose offers white flowers, almond, citrus, and a hint of herbal freshness. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with crisp acidity, a slightly waxy texture, and a clean, mineral finish. It is a wine of everyday pleasure — perfect with light seafood, fresh cheeses, or simply in the sun. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. ~$12–$18 / ~€10–€16.
"Nero d'Avola" — The King of Sicilian Reds: The Nero d'Avola is Agricola Fazio's red wine — a pure expression of Sicily's most important indigenous red grape, a variety of remarkable depth, color, and tannic structure that produces wines of extraordinary power and elegance. Nero d'Avola is the king of Sicilian reds — a grape that has adapted over centuries to the island's warm, dry climate and that produces wines of dark, brooding intensity and Mediterranean warmth. At Agricola Fazio, it is grown on the limestone-clay soils of Erice, where the sea breezes and the cool nights temper the variety's natural ripeness, producing a wine of remarkable balance — full-bodied yet fresh, powerful yet elegant. The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The maceration is carefully managed to extract color and tannin while preserving freshness. The wine is aged in stainless steel — preserving its primary fruit, vibrant acidity, and authentic character. No fining, no filtration. Minimal sulfur. In the glass, it is deep ruby-purple. The nose offers black cherry, plum, blackberry, violet, and a distinct earthy, spicy undertone. The palate is full-bodied, with firm yet approachable tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory, slightly rustic finish. It is a wine of great personality — the quintessential expression of Sicilian red wine. Serve at 16–18°C. 3–5 years ageing potential. ~$16–$24 / ~€14–€22.
Vessels & Ageing: Agricola Fazio works exclusively with stainless steel tanks — a deliberate choice that reflects Nino's commitment to preserving the natural freshness, purity, and primary fruit character of his wines. Stainless steel prevents oxidation, maintains vibrant acidity, and allows the true expression of the grape and terroir to shine without the influence of wood. The wines are aged in steel from harvest until bottling — a short but sufficient period that allows the wines to settle, integrate, and develop subtle complexity while retaining their youthful energy. All wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, unfined and unfiltered, with minimal sulfur added — preserving their natural textures, living yeasts, and authentic flavors. The choice of stainless steel is not a rejection of tradition but an embrace of transparency — a belief that the best wines are those that most faithfully reflect their grape, their vintage, and their place, without the masking influence of oak or heavy manipulation.
"Catarratto" — "100% Catarratto — Hand-Harvested from Organic Limestone-Clay Vineyards in Erice, Indigenous Yeast Fermentation in Stainless Steel, Unfined, Unfiltered, Minimal Sulfur — The Signature White of Western Sicily"
The Catarratto is Agricola Fazio's most celebrated and distinctive wine — the signature white that encapsulates everything Nino Fazio believes about organic viticulture, natural winemaking, and the transformative power of patience, respect, and minimal intervention. It is not merely a white wine; it is a testament to the beauty of Catarratto when grown on limestone-clay soils, the courage of a viticulturist who chose transparency over trend, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without excessive intervention.
The name "Catarratto" evokes the grape itself — the most widely planted white variety in Sicily, a grape of remarkable adaptability and structural depth that has been cultivated on the island for centuries. It is a variety that forms the backbone of Sicilian white wine production, capable of producing wines that range from simple and refreshing to complex and age-worthy, depending on the terroir and the care of the vigneron. At Agricola Fazio, Catarratto finds a unique expression in the limestone-clay soils of the Erice DOC — soils that impart a distinct mineral backbone, fresh acidity, and savory complexity to the wine.
The viticulture is organic. No chemical pesticides, no synthetic herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. Nino Fazio focuses on maintaining a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem in the vineyard — creating an environment where beneficial insects, native plants, and natural predators thrive, forming a self-regulating system that reduces the need for intervention. The harvest is entirely manual, with rigorous selection of only the healthiest, most concentrated bunches — each one picked by Nino's own hands or by the hands of family members who share his commitment to quality.
In the cellar, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts at cool temperatures in stainless steel tanks — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The stainless steel is chosen deliberately to preserve the wine's primary fruit, vibrant acidity, and fresh character — to allow the Catarratto to express itself without the influence of wood, oxidation, or heavy manipulation. No fining, no filtration. Minimal sulfur is added — only what is necessary to ensure stability without masking the wine's natural character. The result is a wine that is alive, authentic, and deeply connected to the place from which it comes.
In the glass, it is pale straw with greenish reflections — alive, vibrant, authentic. The nose is intense and fresh: citrus, green apple, white peach, almond, white flowers, and a distinct mineral, earthy note that speaks of the limestone-clay soils of Erice. There are notes of Mediterranean herbs, a hint of sea breeze, and a subtle stony quality that adds depth and intrigue. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with good acidity, a textured mouthfeel, and a long, savory, mineral finish that lingers with a gentle saline kiss. It is a wine of great personality — a wine that proves Catarratto, when grown organically on the right soils and made with minimal intervention, can produce whites of both immediacy and profound depth, of both pleasure and intellectual challenge.
The Catarratto is a wine of the table — it pairs beautifully with seafood, grilled fish, rich pasta dishes, grilled vegetables, aged cheeses, or simply with good bread and olive oil. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. It will reward 2–3 years of cellaring, developing more almond, honey, and mineral complexity. Every bottle is a testament to the power of limestone-clay terroir, the beauty of Catarratto, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without excessive intervention. ~$14–$20 / ~€12–€18.
The Agricola Fazio Range
Nino Fazio produces a small, organic, natural portfolio from his vineyards in the Erice DOC, Trapani, western Sicily. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. No fining, no filtration. Only minimal sulfur. Fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and primary fruit. The portfolio includes three whites and one red — each one a pure, honest expression of the Erice terroir and Nino's commitment to low-intervention winemaking. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
Agricola Fazio produces a small, organic portfolio from its vineyards in the Erice DOC, Trapani, western Sicily. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel. No fining, no filtration, minimal sulfur. Availability is limited due to the small scale and natural production methods. Contact the winery directly or visit The Grape Reset, Raisin, and select natural wine retailers for availability. Visits by appointment.
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WineStyle UK — Fazio wines selection including “A Vampa” Nerello Mascalese. Winestyle
Terramadre.it — online store with multiple Fazio wines (Erice area) available.
Wine-Searcher — shows listings for Fazio Wines-Winery, and compares merchants.