Badalucco de la Iglesia Garcia 1° Passaggio

Compelling and deeply textured,  Badalucco de la Iglesia García’s 1° Passaggio is an extended maceration white from western Sicily, born from a careful “first pass” of old-vine Grillo. Pierpaolo Badalucco and Beatriz de la Iglesia García launched Dos Tierras/Badalucco upon his return to western Sicily, restoring old vineyards and reviving the local tradition of oxidative and skin-contact whites. The vineyards are planted on red marly clay soils (terra rossa), farmed by hand under biodynamic and regenerative principles, and yield is tightly managed to emphasize concentration and purity. After hand-harvest, the must spends 10–12 days on the skins, allowing phenolic and textural extraction, then is pressed and aged on the lees for about a year in neutral and used vessels (oak, acacia, and chestnut), without fining or filtration. In the glass, 1° Passaggio shows an ochre hue and reveals layered aromatics: orange blossom, bergamot, sourdough, wild nettle, sunflower, and a hint of sea salt. The palate is nimble yet layered: bright citrus and stone fruit notes combine with herbal drive, firm phenolic grip, and underlying saline minerality that gives freshness and tension.  There’s a sense of restraint amidst the complexity, making it both immediately engaging and worthwhile for cellaring. This wine’s structure, texture, and subtle oxidative character make it a strong companion for a variety of cuisine; think spiced roasted vegetables, saffron risotto, or classic Sicilian dishes that straddle the line between sea and land.