Longarico

Alcamo (TP) - SICILY

Luigi Stalteri was born in a land rich in history and culture, where the sea, sun, and abundant food shaped his early years. He moved to Bologna to study engineering but soon discovered his true calling lay elsewhere. He opened a wine bar named La Fastuchera, after the district where hismaternal grandfather, Nicolò, once cultivated grapes. There, Luigi developed a deep fascination with the world of wine.

A few years later, he reunited with childhood friend Alessandro Viola, and together, in 2015 they launched the Longarico project, dedicated to enhancing Luigi’s grandfather’s vineyards around the Alcamo mountain, located within a protected Natural Reserve.

In 2022, Alessandro left the company, confident in Luigi’s skills, and Luigi led his first solo harvest, carrying forward his grandfather Nicolò’s legacy. The name Longarico honors the history of Alcamo: when the Romans arrived, the inhabitants of the Greek settlement “Longuro” moved to the slopes of Mount Bonifato to cultivate the fertile lands near the sea).

Luigi’s winemaking philosophy is rooted in minimal intervention and respect for the vineyard. Fermentations are spontaneous, with limited use of sulfites, and wines are aged on fine lees to build texture and complexity. He avoids filtration to preserve the living character of the wine, seeking to express the purest sense of place, vintage, and grape variety.

La Fastuchera vineyard, on the northwestern side of Mount Bonifato, at 350 meters above sea level, lies the vineyard that once belonged to Luigi’s grandfather Nicolò, now managed by his cousin, with whom he has collaborated since 2015. Surrounded by pines and eucalyptus trees, the vineyard produces Syrah, Nero d’Avola, and Catarratto Lucido, planted in 1998. The soils are medium-textured calcareous clay, enriched by northern winds carrying the fresh sea air. Luigi farms the vineyard organically, respecting natural cycles, biodiversity, and minimal intervention in the soil. From these grapes, he crafts Nostrale, Catartico, and Insolito.

La Funtanazza vineyard instead is located at 650 meters above sea level within the Bosco d’Alcamo Nature Reserve, this is the first vineyard Luigi personally planted. In this one-and-a-half-hectare valley, surrounded by pines, oaks, and eucalyptus trees and overlooking the Gulf of Castellammare, he cultivates Pinot Noir (8 rows) and 1.2 hectares of Catarratto Lucido for both Metodo Classico and still wines, including the All’Ombra dei Pini line. The soils vary from humus-rich on the western side to calcareous with stones toward the east, imparting structure and minerality. Farming is biodynamic-inspired, emphasizing soil health, natural biodiversity, and low yields to maximize quality. Two fir trees are preserved within the vineyard, and tastings are hosted under one of them. Luigi dedicates this vineyard to his grandfather Nicolò (still Catarratto), his father Antonino (Pinot Noir), and his cousin Nicola (Metodo Classico).