Marco de Bartoli is considered one of Sicily's winemaking pioneers for his long-standing commitment to the native Sicilian white grape varieties, Grillo and Zibibbo. He produces them on two separate estates; the first in Marsala, in Sicily's south-west corner, the other on the small island of Pantelleria, south-east of Sicily. His strict belief in the value of traditional methods of production of these grapes and their wines is complemented by his equally strong belief in the future of Sicily as one of Europe's most important viticultural areas. Grillo, which historically forms the basis of Marsala's classic wines, has been grown on the island since Phoenecian times. From his Samperi winery, in the Contrada Samperi just west of Marsala, Marco de Bartoli produces several wines from this grape. Marco de Bartoli sadly recently passed away but his work is carried on by his children.
