About the Wine

The story behind Montedidio starts with the same winemaking force behind Nativ: Dr. Mario Ercolino. A major figure in Southern Italian wine, Ercolino helped put Feudi di San Gregorio on the map and later led acclaimed winemaking projects in Puglia. With Nativ, he turned his attention to the volcanic terroir and native grapes of Irpinia. Montedidio is where that vision expands across Southern Italy, exploring the character of regions like Sicily through their indigenous varieties.

In Sicily, that means Nerello Mascalese — one of the island’s most distinctive and elegant red grapes. Think of it as Sicily’s answer to Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo: mineral-driven, naturally high in acidity, and capable of an elegance that seems almost unexpected from such a sun-soaked Mediterranean island.

At its best, it’s bright and food-friendly, yet carries the kind of quiet gravitas you’d associate with fine Burgundy or Barbaresco.

And unlike many delicate reds, it can be enjoyed young and fresh or cellared for a decade or more as it evolves.

The 2025 Montedidio Prive captures that lighter-footed side of the grape beautifully. It pours a translucent ruby, opening with wild red berries, generous cherry, spiced plum, dried herbs, and mineral notes.

On the palate, it’s creamy and soft, with vibrant acidity, subtle balsamic character, and a ripe, juicy structure. The tannins are restrained, giving the wine enough backbone to stay serious without making it feel heavy.

That combination is what makes this bottle so compelling: the sophistication of Nerello Mascalese, backed by the same winemaking expertise that put Nativ on the map. You get the elegance and complexity you'd expect from a much more expensive Italian red, but without needing to wait years — or spend twice as much — to enjoy it.

This is the kind of Sicilian red that drinks like something twice the price: refined enough for a proper dinner, easy enough to open tonight, and distinctive enough to show exactly why Nerello Mascalese deserves more attention.

Tasting Notes

Wild red berries, spiced plum, and strawberry fruit. Ripe, juicy fruit balanced by acidity and balsamic notes on the finish.

Translucent ruby with minerals, dried herbs, blackberries, and a creamy, soft palate.

Critic Reviews

NYR.