Le Casematte is owned by the charismatic Gianfranco Sabbatino and soccer champion Andrea Barzagli, whose collective passion for terroir-driven wines come through in their wines. Located on the northeastern corner of the triangular island, near Messina, Le Casematte’s total surface is a mere 20 hectares – less than 50 acres. And in fact, the winery is located at Faro Superiore, high above the Strait of Messina, where the steep hillsides have a 70% gradient. It was named after two casematte or casemates (also known as bunkers) from World War II that sit on the property and served as observatories and defensive structures at that time. Today, they watch over Gianfranco’s largest vineyard (2 hectares, 4.9 acres). Le Casematte’s surface under vine is about 7 hectares (17 acres), between 250 and 370 meters (820-1,215 feet) above sea level. Pristine and remote, these vineyards benefit from the constant sea breezes of the Strait of Messina, notably the Sirocco wind during summer. Great day/night temperature swings give the wines wonderful aromatic qualities and freshness. The sandy, calcareous and clay soils combined with the unusual micro-climate of the vineyards give the wines amazing elegance and fragrance.