Marco De Bartoli 'Vigna La Miccia' 5 Year Marsala Superiore Oro, Sicily, Italy

An iconoclastic benchmark in the world of Marsala, the Marco De Bartoli 'Vigna La Miccia' 5 Year Marsala Superiore Oro from Sicily, Italy, is an elegant reimagining of a traditional style. Born from a single vineyard of organically grown Grillo grapes in Contrada Samperi, this semi-dry Marsala offers a vivid and expressive experience, both modern and timeless. Cold vinification and precise aging preserve the grape’s fruit purity while delivering layers of nuance through four years in French oak barrels.

Product Details:

• Grape Variety: 100% Grillo
• ABV: 18%
• Region: Contrada Samperi, Marsala, Sicily, Italy
• Vineyard Size: 12 hectares
• Soil Type: Limestone and sandy loam
• Vine Age: Over 20 years
• Training System: Single Guyot (3,500 vines/ha)
• Harvest Method: Manual, first week of September
• Yield: 20 hl/ha
• Vinification: Manual grape selection, soft pressing, natural decantation, native yeast fermentation in stainless steel
• Aging: 4 years in always-topped-up French oak barrels
• Residual Sugar: 54 g/L
• Acidity: 5.10 g/L
• Total SO₂: 28 mg/L
• Annual Production: 10,000 bottles
• First Vintage: 1985
• Owners: Renato, Sebastiano, and Josephine De Bartoli
• Winemaker: Marco De Bartoli

Sensory Description:

‘Vigna La Miccia’ is a delicate yet deeply expressive Marsala that showcases lifted aromas of white flowers, dried apricot, golden raisins, and candied citrus. On the palate, it is finely textured, balancing its semi-dry sweetness with brisk acidity and a mineral edge. Cold vinification and the absence of oxidative aging preserve the integrity of the fruit, resulting in a style that is at once radiant and restrained.

Winemaker's Background:

Marco De Bartoli was a revolutionary figure in Sicilian winemaking, credited with rescuing Marsala from decades of mediocrity. Working from his estate in Contrada Samperi, he boldly returned to traditional methods while introducing innovations like ‘Vigna La Miccia’, a Marsala that redefined the category with its elegant, fruit-driven profile. Though Marco passed away, his legacy lives on through his children Renato, Sebastiano, and Josephine, who now steward the estate with the same fierce commitment to quality, authenticity, and vision.

Serving Suggestions:

This versatile semi-dry Marsala complements a wide range of dishes across the savory and sweet spectrum. Its nuanced flavor profile makes it an excellent match for pumpkin-filled pasta, foie gras, prawns, and soft or blue cheeses. It also pairs beautifully with desserts that feature caramel, nuts, or citrus. Serve slightly chilled at 14–16°C (57–61°F) to fully appreciate its layered complexity and vibrant freshness.

This wine is a masterclass in balance and innovation, retaining all the historical weight of Marsala while showing just how fresh, nuanced, and gastronomic this style can be. An essential bottle for lovers of oxidative wines, Sicilian terroir, or simply great winemaking.