Feudo Montoni has been turning out deeply soulful and complex wines for centuries.

For Fabio Sireci, the current owner of this historic Sicilian estate, the formula is quite simple: ancient, own-rooted vines of Sicily's rare, indigenous varieties, hailing from centuries-old vineyards; and farming with a deep respect for the land and tradition.

We know, we know — all of that must add up to expensive and near impossible-to-find wines, right? Wrong! Somehow these uniquely Sicilian single-vineyard gems remain astonishingly under-the-radar and extremely affordable.

Tucked away in the heart of Sicily is the "Island of Montoni", a secluded oasis of vineyards surrounded by a sea of golden durum wheat (once cultivated by the Romans) and ancient olive groves. This natural isolation from the rest of Sicily's viticulture allowed Montoni's vines to flourish for centuries — and remain untouched by the dreaded Phylloxera that ravaged so many of Europe's great wine regions.

The pristine high-altitude vineyards (500-700 meters) of Feudo Montoni are planted solely to massale-selected indigenous varieties like Perricone, Catarratto, and Nero d’Avola.

Their ancient root systems dig deep into the hillside to convey layered and complex minerality while high winds and cool nights help to ward off disease and retain freshness. A mixture of clay and sandy soils provides a beautiful balance of power, delicate aromatics, elegance, and freshness.

The wines of Feudi Montoni are truly delightful and perfectly at home in any summer cookout. They're meant to be shared around a table with great food and friends and thankfully we can, again, do just that.

Feudo Montoni, Catarratto Del Masso, 2019
"White rose, citrus and yellow stone fruit aromas lead the nose on this vibrant white. The aromas carry on to the savory, tangy palate along with grapefruit and crushed thyme." —Kerin O'Keefe

Feudo Montoni, Sicilia Perricone Vigna del Core, 2018
"Dark ruby-red. Clean, precise aromas and flavors of dark cherry, minerals and tar, plus a lively note of violet; strikes me as much darker than in the past. Suave but youthfully chewy, with a dense mouthfeel and a brooding quality on the long back end; this will likely improve with another year in the cellar. Finishes very long and spicy." —Ian D'Agata, Vinous