A very old Calabrian wine-growing family, the Zito family has been cultivating vines since around 1870, at the end of the 19th century. Stefano Zito was the founder of what is still today one of the most renowned winegrowing families among the 50 producers in the Calabria wine region. Tradition and passion have been passed down over the decades, and are now carried on by the three brothers: Valentino, who looks after the commercial side of the business; Francesco, who is in charge of all the logistics; and Stefano, the eldest, who takes meticulous care of the vines and the wines in the cellar. They are supported by a consultant oenologist specialising in Calabrian terroirs.
The current winery, where the family vinifies all their wines, dates back to 1980 and is located in the town of Ciro Marina, on the Ionian coast. The estate owns 20 hectares of vines and leases around 70 hectares. All the vines are grown organically, using two main grape varieties: Greco Bianco and Gaglioppo. The vines range in age from 15 years for the youngest to 40 years for the oldest. While the classic cuvées are made from a blend of plots, the prestige cuvées are made from very specific plots. In the cellar, all the grapes are removed from the vats and vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wines are then matured in stainless steel vats or French and Spanish wooden barrels, depending on their profile.
