Pasqua Vini invests in Pantelleria with Carole Bouquet

Pantelleria becomes the new challenge for Pasqua Vini. The historic Veronese winery, which celebrates one hundred years of business this year, is launching a project on the “island of the wind” alongside Carole Bouquet, the French actress and wine entrepreneur who has been producing the Passito di Pantelleria “Sangue d’Oro” here for twenty years. The initiative was born with the aim of enhancing and safeguarding a unique but increasingly fragile winemaking heritage.

Pantelleria is a complex territory, marked by beauty and difficulty. The traditional agricultural practice, the alberello pantesco (head-trained bush vine) cultivation, is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. In the 1970s, 450,000 quintals of grapes were harvested, a figure that had already dropped to 28,000 by the early 2000s. Today, the island is experiencing progressive agricultural abandonment and a reduction in vineyard surface area, while the remaining viticulture takes on heroic characteristics.

Carole Bouquet discovered Pantelleria twenty years ago, purchasing a 12-hectare estate, of which 3.6 are planted with Moscato d’Alessandria (Zibibbo) with vines reaching up to 80 years of age. Understanding the potential of the territory, she launched a winemaking project that led her to produce the Passito “Sangue d’Oro,” made according to traditional drying techniques. A wine that tells the story of the island’s identity.

Today, Pasqua Vini has decided to join Carole Bouquet to ensure continuity and new strength for this project. “This project is a small gem that fits perfectly into our vision and value growth trajectory,” comments CEO Riccardo Pasqua. “The beauty of these vineyards, the charm of the island, and the expertise consolidated by Carole Bouquet over these years make it a unique opportunity for us. Together with Carole, we want to safeguard, give a voice to, and provide new momentum for this land.”

“I am delighted to have met the Pasqua family, who understood my project and my dream, and have the desire to make it grow,” stated Carole Bouquet. “This passing of the torch also signifies a union of intent, such as preserving a winemaking jewel of extraordinary value.”

The Passito “Sangue d’Oro” is obtained from Zibibbo grown in Contrada Serraglia, on terraced vineyards protected from the wind by dry stone walls. The soil is composed of 70% volcanic stone and 30% clay and limonite. The clusters, harvested by hand, are left to dry naturally in the sun and wind for two or three weeks. After this phase, the grapes are vinified and the wine is aged in stainless steel before bottling.

Pasqua Vini invests in Pantelleria with Carole Bouquet. https://www.sanguedoro.it/en/. https://pasqua.it/en/.