EST 1969
Marsala Vergine Riserva 50 years
EST 1969
Grillo
EST1969 represents far more than a simple fortified wine: it is a silent witness to Sicilian history, a guardian of millennia-old traditions, and a liquid masterpiece aged for at least fifty years in small oak barrels.
This extraordinary reserve, already present in our cellar in 1997 when the estate and historic label were acquired by the Vesco family, has at last found its voice through bottling, becoming the spokesperson of an important story.
Grape variety
Marsala
Location of the vineyards
Marsala (TP)
Alcohol
19%
Bottle size
500 ml
Service temperature
14 ° C
Pairings
Ideal with aged cheeses, dark chocolate, or savory dishes such as shellfish and fish entrées prepared with flavorful sauces.
Est 1969
Grillo
EST1969 represents far more than a simple fortified wine: it is a silent witness to Sicilian history, a guardian of millennia-old traditions, and a liquid masterpiece aged for at least fifty years in small oak barrels.
This extraordinary reserve, already present in our cellar in 1997 when the estate and historic label were acquired by the Vesco family, has at last found its voice through bottling, becoming the spokesperson of an important story.
Grape variety
Grillo
Location of the vineyards
Marsala (TP)
Alcohol
19%
Bottle size
500 ml
Service temperature
14 ° C
Pairings
Ideal with aged cheeses, dark chocolate, or savory dishes such as shellfish and fish entrées prepared with flavorful sauces.
The Essence of Sicilian Winemaking
The history of Marsala is inextricably linked to that of the Mediterranean Sea. For centuries, this wine has stood as a banner and symbol of Italian excellence across the world—so celebrated that it was known and traded in every corner of the globe. Its journey relied on maritime routes, the same routes that for millennia connected civilizations and cultures, carrying with them the essence of Sicilian winemaking.
That very sea, which once enabled the worldwide dissemination of Marsala, continues today to profoundly shape its character. The sea breezes caressing the vineyards along Sicily’s western coast create a unique microclimate, influencing the soils and amplifying the dramatic temperature variations between day and night. This natural phenomenon gives the coastal grapes incomparable intensity and aromatic complexity, endowing Marsala wine with its distinctive saline and mineral imprint—an unmistakable mark of authenticity.
It is no coincidence that the Bagli—the typical rural architectural structures of the era used for Marsala production—were almost all built facing the sea. This strategic position not only facilitated the commercialization of the finished product but also took full advantage of the ideal climatic conditions for aging. The master winemakers of the past intuitively understood what modern science would later confirm: proximity to the sea creates the perfect environment for the slow maturation that transforms must into the golden nectar known as Marsala Vergine.
Marsala Vergine Riserva EST 1969 presents an intense amber color with golden reflections. Its crystalline clarity is the result of prolonged natural sedimentation, which has purified the wine of any impurities. On the nose, it unveils a bouquet of extraordinary complexity: notes of dried fruit—toasted almonds, hazelnuts, dried figs—alternate with hints of carob honey and aged preserves. Typical noble oxidative notes then emerge: caramel, roasted coffee, cocoa, and sweet spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Long aging in oak has imparted further nuances of vanilla, tobacco, and fine leather.
On the palate, it reveals a powerful yet balanced structure. The entry is soft and enveloping, with natural sweetness perfectly counterbalanced by an underlying mineral sapidity.
The taste progression is long and complex, echoing all the aromas perceived on the nose. The finish is persistent, warm, and satisfying, with a slightly bitter note that invites another sip. Perfect as a contemplative wine, it is best enjoyed in moments of reflection and meditation.
This is an extremely limited edition, with each bottle representing a unique fragment of Sicilian winemaking history. Every bottle encapsulates fifty years of patient waiting, slow transformation, and meticulous stewardship. It is a wine that has traversed generations and witnessed epochal changes, all while preserving its purest essence.
Every element—from the wine to the packaging, from the name to the presentation—has been designed to communicate refinement without ostentation, quality without the need to shout. It is the elegance of those who can wait fifty years to achieve perfection. The elegance of those who prefer a whisper to clamor, substance to appearance, truth to propaganda. Marsala Vergine Riserva EST 1969 is far more than a wine: it is cultural heritage, a piece of Sicilian history, a liquid work of art worthy of being preserved and passed down.
Each bottle is a journey through time, a dialogue between past and present, a tribute to those who believed in the greatness of Marsala when the world seemed to have forgotten it. It is our contribution to the rediscovery of a wine that once made history, and our way of affirming that the future of Marsala can be as glorious as its past—so long as respect for tradition and passion for excellence endure.
Marsala Vergine Riserva
In the glass, this Marsala Vergine Riserva reflects the most authentic soul of Sicily: ancient yet never old, profound yet never complicated, elegant yet never contrived. A wine that reigns silently, with the quiet superiority of one who knows there is no need to prove anything to anyone.
The label
The sea has been the natural element around which the design of this exceptional reserve has taken shape. The sea of yesterday, the sea of today—an element of continuity spanning centuries and generations, maintaining its role as a protagonist in the history of Marsala. From the sea, the label draws its deepest essence. The absolute protagonist is coral, the sole visible graphic element—a precious natural gift with a long and glorious history in the waters of Trapani.
The western coast of Sicily has, since ancient times, been renowned for harvesting this “red gold” of the Mediterranean. According to the famous Arab geographer Al-Idrisi, coral craftsmanship in this area dates back to the 12th century, when skilled local artisans began transforming raw coral into extraordinary works of art. Over the centuries, coral craftsmanship became the most widespread and celebrated form of local artistry, recognized worldwide. Sicilian coral masters exported their expertise, making Trapani coral a synonym for excellence and refinement.
The label of our Reserve depicts a coral branch in a simple, raw, and authentic way. The design is enhanced through a special dry embossing technique. This choice is not merely aesthetic; it reflects a clear philosophy: to offer a complete sensory experience that goes beyond visual perception. The raised coral invites touch, adding texture without artifice, creating a silent yet powerful dialogue between product and consumer—a hallmark of great wines.
On the secondary label beneath the first, only the essential wording is immediately visible: “Marsala Vergine Riserva, aged in small oak barrels for at least 50 years.” Yet this second label conceals a treasure: beyond the legally required information, it features a small poetic text, a sincere homage to the product and to the sea that inspired it. A message reserved for those curious enough to look beyond appearances, a reward for those who know how to seek beauty in the details.
