Bonavita is a small family-run winery that sits on the steep hills overlooking the strait of Messina and the coast of Calabria in the distance. The vineyards, surrounded by chestnut and oak trees, have belonged to the Scarfone family for almost a century, but it is only recently that the 28 years old Giovanni has decided to dedicate himself to the making of this historical wine of Sicily. The DOC Faro, one of Sicily’s oldest, takes its name from the village of Faro Superiore which was founded in ancient times by a Greek population called “Pharii” who colonized the hills of Messina and introduced agricultural practices, especially the cultivation of vines.
The 2 hectares of vineyards are planted only with indigenous grapes, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Nocera and are cultivated at an organic regime, without using any fertilizers or chemical pesticides.
The yields are kept extremely low and the entire production amounts to 3500 bottles. After 2010 the recently planted vines will go into production and the number of bottles will reach 7000.