Estate Owned by: Renato Di Lorenzo | Winemaker: Tonino Guzzo | Agronomist: n/a | Viticulture Method: Organic | Extension: 150 ha | Estate Founded: 2000 | Winery Production Total: 150.000 Bt. 

Location of  Vineyards

Feudo Disisa is nestled between the Belice and Jato valleys in the harsh, hilly terrain outside Monreale. This land was praised by ancient emirs and protagonists of popular legends and has belonged to the Di Lorenzo family for almost 200 years. The name Disisa is thought to derive from the arab word “Aziz” which means “splendid,” an apt description for its vast valleys rich with vineyards and olive groves..

Historical Background

Feudo Disisa dates back to 1182 when, according to a bilingual document in Arabic and Latin belonging to the church of Monreale, the Norman King William II gave it to the archbishop of Monreale. The archbishop, in turn, leased the land to an aristocratic family from Palermo and, despite his strict rules, he permitted them to cultivate grapes which was prohibited to the other estates in the area. When feudal privileges were abolished, the land was sold to the archpriest Nicolò Di Lorenzo and has been owned by the family ever since.

The estate extends over 400 hectares, 170 of which are covered with vineyards. The central buildings of the winery are located near an ancient Sarecen watch tower that overlooks the entire territory of Belice and Jato, which extends from the mountains of Corleone to the gulf of Castellammare.

Winemaking philosophy

Thanks to a longstanding collaboration with the Istituto Regionale Vini ed Oli di Sicilia, the Di Lorenzo family is committed to cultivating local varietals such as Nero d’Avola, Catarratto and Insolia, as well as experimenting widely with non-native varietals to test their ability to adapt to Sicilian climate and terrain. So, it’s no surprise that Feudo Disisa has the first and oldest Chardonnay vineyard in Sicily. Chardonnay, along with Müller Thurgau, has surpassed every expectation. Thanks to the generous, terrain, climate, and dedication of the cultivators, it has improved over time and now has its own strong personality with its own characteristic nuances.