Marco Sferlazzo in Camporeal, Sicily is a dedicated winemaker who came to winemaking after a long career as a pharmacist in the province of Palermo.

It's rare we get the opportunity to work with a winery with the size and scope of Marco's at Porta del Vento. And it isn't so much about acreage, but more so about the ambition of the project, the effort, and the sincere commitment to a product that purports to do all that "natural wine" promises. Under the artistry of owner/winemaker Marco Sferlazzo, Porta del Vento is making some of the most exciting wines in all of Sicily.

Marco is a dedicated winemaker who came to the trade after a long career as a pharmacist in Camporeal, in the province of Palermo. The vines that would come to make up the Porta Del Vento estate were being tended by a larger, corporate group who decided to pull up aging Perricone and Catarratto vines to plant Merlot or something. Marco found this distasteful and decided to purchase the vines himself and convert all the vineyards to organic and biodynamic agriculture. He knew the promise the older vines from indigenous grapes would hold.

2000 feet above Palermo, near the village of Camporeale where Marco has lived all his life, is a place in Sicily where nature can be very harsh. The vineyard extends for eighteen hectares on the hills of the area of Alcamo DOC and Monreale DOC. Sandy soils on sandstone crust. Vineyards are mainly cultivated by the "alberello" system (aka 'Goblet Pruning' or 'Bush Vine') and are almost fifty years old, exposed to the north, following the steep slopes of the land. At 600m elevation, on incredibly steep slopes, this area is known for constant, brutal winds, blowing through the vineyards (hence Door of the Wind). These ever-present winds, along with the large, diurnal temperature range, allow for wines of great concentration, character, low alcohol and racy acidity.

The 100% Certified Organic and Biodynamic wines, which adhere to a strict, non-interventionist approach are produced unfiltered, so as to not deprive them of the elements that make them unique. Porta del Vento's wines are uniquely expressive, conveying emotion, terroir, and unbelievable prowess. We're extremely proud to be expanding the catalogue in America with this drop, adding new Anfora experiments and yet more orange wine.

IGP Terre Siciliane "Catarratto" 2019

- Fifty year old vines of Cararratto from 600 meters up, making for an incredibly transparent and mineral wine. No so2.

IGP Terre Siciliane "Luna Calante" 2019 (Macerated Catarratto)

- 50 year old vine Catarratto grapes macerated for 30 days in open-top concrete tanks, with frequent punch-downs by hand. After that, 12 months in stainless steel for resting. Incredible complexity with the slightest bit of structure. 

IGP Terre Siciliane "Saharay" 2017 (Macerated Catarratto) 

- 30 days of skin contact in open vats without SO2, three punch downs per day. Then the wine is aged in 24 HL Slovenian oak barrels for a rounding out. The wine is soft, delicate, and ethereal with lots of baking spice and citrus. 

IGP Terre Siciliane "Trebbiano" 2006 

- From Marco's very first vintage, another open-top 30 day maceration. More oxidative, but with a stunning amount of complexity and grace.