Nero d'Avola Sicilia DOC (2023)

About this wine

Cusumano’s Nero d’Avola 2023 is a bright, expressive take on Sicily’s signature red grape, showing plenty of dark cherry and red plum right from the first sip. There is a floral note that leans toward violet, along with a subtle thread of sage, fennel, and sweet earth that keeps the wine lively and unmistakably Sicilian. The texture feels smooth and generous, but it stays fresh, with a clean line of fruit rather than heavy weight. A faint mineral edge and a touch of black tea give the finish a little extra shape and interest. Nero d’Avola has long been one of the defining grapes of Sicily, and Cusumano helped bring a more modern, polished style to a wider audience while keeping the grape’s sunny, Mediterranean personality intact.

About the grape

Nero d'Avola is an indigenous Sicilian grape that originated around the town of Avola and is prized for its ability to reach full ripeness while keeping natural structure, here it is the sole varietal for this Sicilia DOC bottling which reflects island terroir. Cusumano cultivates Nero d'Avola on calcareous clay soils at mid hill altitudes, using modern training systems to control yields and favor concentration, practices described for their Tenuta San Giacomo and Sicilia DOC sites. The winery sources fruit from sites between roughly 150 and 350 metres above sea level and emphasizes clonal selection and canopy management to balance sunlight and acidity for the 2023 release.

Quick facts

• 🍇 This bottle is Cusumano’s straight Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC from the family estate founded by brothers Alberto and Diego Cusumano in the early 2000s, a relatively young but fast-rising Sicilian label.
• 🏺 The grapes for this DOC bottling come from Cusumano’s Tenuta San Giacomo holdings, an estate known for combining coastal warmth with calcareous soils that push Nero d’Avola toward riper, Mediterranean fruit expression.
• 🔖 Cusumano lists this commercial release under the barcode 8028262000141, making it easy to track across European and international retailers as the 2023 vintage.
• 🌅 Cusumano’s Nero d’Avola 2023 is produced under the Sicilia DOC rules that allow a single-varietal label when at least 85% of the wine is that grape, so this bottle is a purposeful showcase of Nero d’Avola’s character.
• ♻️ The winery behind this wine holds sustainability certifications (SOStain and VIVA), so this everyday Nero d’Avola reflects Cusumano’s wider push toward environmentally conscious viticulture rather than just mass production alone.

Palate profile

Producer

Cusumano Winery, founded in 2001 by brothers Diego and Alberto Cusumano in Partinico, Sicily, has rapidly become a prominent name in Sicilian viticulture. Building upon their father Francesco's experience in the wine sector, they sought out the island's most suitable terroirs, establishing estates like Tenuta Ficuzza in Piana degli Albanesi and Tenuta San Giacomo in Butera. In 2013, they expanded to Mount Etna, creating the Alta Mora winery to harness the unique volcanic soils. Their commitment to quality and innovation has earned them international acclaim, with wines like Sàgana and Noà receiving top ratings.