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Planeta Winery Guide
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Last updated: November 25, 2023
Winery Overview
Planeta Winery is one of the premier wine estates of Sicily and a veritable fine wine empire. The company has vineyards and estates all over the island of Sicily, including- the Ulmo Contrada and vineyards in Sambuca di Sicilia (their first winemaking facility and beautiful ancestral family home, located on the Arancio Lake); the Dispensa base in Menfi (where their high-end olive oils are also made nearby at the Capparina mill); the lovely Dorilli estate in Vittoria; the Buonivini vineyards and underground winery near the Baroque town of Noto; and the newest estate- Sciara Nuova in the fashionable and exciting fine wine region of volcanic Mount Etna.
Planeta was founded in the 1990s by cousins Alessio and Santi Planeta and their uncle Diego Planeta, who was already famous in Sicily for his trail-blazing role at the well-respected Settesoli wine cooperative decades before Planeta as we know it burst onto the wine scene. Diego’s daughter Francesca later joined the company and is known as a key integral figure. While relatively new as a commercial winery, the family’s beloved Ulmo estate dates back centuries. Today, it is a treat to visit its vast vineyards, ancient olive groves, and ruins of an Arab castle. Planeta has become almost as famous for its olive oils (made with the Nocellara del Belice and Biancolilla olives) as for its wines.
The groundbreaking winemaker of Planeta was the mythical Carlo Corino, who sadly passed away recently. Planeta gained much prestige and respect for innovating in matching local soil types to native Sicilian wine varietals and international grapes. Daring and open-minded winemaking (in a Mediterranean island that had become known for easygoing bulk wine) combined with the fabulous local terroirs was a recipe for success for pioneering Planeta. Their stunning Chardonnay was their first flagship wine to shake up the wine world. Not just any Chardonnay, this blockbuster astounded critics and wine lovers worldwide and still receives annual awards and recognition. Planeta is, in fact, regularly lauded in the winepress, and this year, they received an unprecedented eight Tre Bicchieri awards from the Gambero Rosso (called the Italian wine bible, definitely the definitive guide alongside Veronelli).
Planeta is a prominent patron of the arts and, in association with Nuvole Incontri d’Arte, launched an interesting annual project called Uomini e Luoghi (Men and Places). The concept is “artists and landscapes of Sicily.” During the wine harvest, the winery invites Italian and international artists to travel throughout Sicily to such breathtaking places as Modica and Ragusa. Then, the guests use the Ulmo estate as their studio to create various works of art, which are then exhibited locally and compiled in a beautiful annual publication.
Wines produced
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Alastro IGT Sicilia
50% Grecanico, 50% Chardonnay, 10% of the chardonnay is Allier-oak fermented, 13.5% alc. -
Cometa IGT Sicilia
100% Fiano, fermented in stainless steel, 14.5% alc. -
Planeta Chardonnay IGT Sicilia
100% Chardonnay, oak fermented (50% new oak, and 50% one year old oak), 14.5% alc. -
La Segreta Bianco IGT Sicilia
50% Grecanico, 30% Chardonnay, 10% Fiano, 10% Viognier, fermented in stainless steel,14.5% alc. -
La Segreta Rosso IGT Sicilia
50% Nero d’Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Franc, fermented in stainless steel, 13.5% alc. -
Planeta Syrah IGT Sicilia
100% Syrah, 12 months in Allier oak, 14.2% alc. -
Planeta Merlot IGT Sicilia
95% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 12 months in Allier oak, 14.2% alc. -
Burdese IGT Sicilia
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 14 months of oak, 12 months additional bottle ageing. -
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
60% Nero d'Avola, 40% Frappato, 13.4% alc. -
Santa Cecilia IGT Sicilia
100% Nero d'Avola, 12 months in oak, 14.3% alc. -
Moscato di Noto DOC
100% Moscato Bianco, stainless steel fermented, 11% alc.
Winery Contact Details
Planeta
Contrada Dispensa, 92013Menfi (AG)
Sicily
Email: [email protected]
Tel +39 091.327965
Fax +39 091.6124355 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
IGT Sicilia, DOCG Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Founded
1995
Area under Vine
390 Hectares
Age of vines
Oak barrel origin
Winemaker
Alessio Planeta
Owner
Planeta family
Production
2,500,000 bottles
Grape varietals
Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Fiano, Viognier, Carricante, Moscato Bianco.
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Carricante
Sicily's Carricante grapes thrive on Mount Etna's slopes, producing fresh, high-acidity white wines with complex aromas, a hallmark of Etna Bianco DOC.
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Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal native to the Burgundy wine region in France and one of the most popular varieties worldwide.
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Fiano
Explore the allure of Fiano, Campania's masterpiece white grape. Discover its complex bouquet, racy acidity, and silky texture.
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Moscato Bianco
Muscat blanc is a white wine grape varietal popular in the Muscat d'Alsace, Moscato d'Asti and Beaumes-de-Venise regions.
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Viognier
Viognier comes from the northern Rhône valley AOC of Condrieu and is where its most famous white wines are produced.
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Nero d’Avola
Explore Nero d'Avola: Sicily's prized red grape, introduced by the Greeks, known for its rich, dark wines, and esteemed for its versatility.
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Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc grape is a close relative of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and is the principal blending grape used in Bordeaux.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Discover the irresistible allure of Cabernet Sauvignon—a worldwide favorite with robust, dark-bodied flavor. Unleash your wine journey today!
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Frappato
Explore Sicily's Frappato grape, a hidden gem known for its delicate charm, refreshing acidity, and distinctive flavors of berries and violets
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Grecanico (Garganega)
Discover Garganega Wines: From Sweet Elegance to Vivacious Dry Delights | Explore the Complexity of This Exceptional Grape
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Merlot
Merlot is the most cultivated grape in Bordeaux and closely related to Cabernet Franc
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Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is a full-bodied red wine grape varietal used in classic Bordeaux blends and originates in southwestern France
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Syrah
Syrah is dark-skinned and perhaps the most underrated of the 'noble' red grape varieties.
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Winery Appellations
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More information
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