Feudo di Santa Tresa 2025 Rina Russa Frappato Terre Siciliane 750ml

Rina Russa — "red sand" in Sicilian dialect — takes its name directly from the distinctive red clay soil the estate's Frappato vines grow in, and the wine itself is widely considered the embodiment of Vittoria's own most typical grape variety. Feudo di Santa Tresa (Santa Tresa being Sicilian dialect for Santa Teresa) sits in Vittoria, in the southeastern corner of Sicily, on a 50-hectare estate, 39 of them under vine. When brother and sister Stefano and Marina Girelli, wine entrepreneurs from Trentino, acquired the property in 2001, they discovered genuinely ancient, indigenous clones of Frappato, Nero d'Avola, and Grillo already growing across the existing vineyards — Rina Russa is made entirely from those same ancient estate clones, giving it a real, genuine point of distinction from other Frappato on the market.

Grapes are chilled overnight in a refrigerated room, down to 6-8°C, specifically to preserve Frappato's particular delicate qualities before vinification. Farming is organic, and the wine is crafted by acclaimed consulting winemaker Stefano Chioccioli.

Wine Enthusiast's Danielle Callegari reviewed this exact 2025 vintage (reviewed under the closely related "2024" label designation), finding "leading aromas of wild strawberry and cranberry" both "complemented and balanced by undertones of wild fennel and white pepper," the palate showing "sweet, ripe wild strawberries and cherries" mingling further. The estate's own copy for this 2025 vintage describes "fresh red cherry, wild strawberry, and a delicate whisper of rose petal, layered with subtle notes of dried herbs typical of Sicilian terroir." For genuine house-style context, Decanter's Amy Wisloki awarded a related vintage 92 Points, calling it "textbook Frappato, delicate, bright and fresh," describing it as "summer pudding in a glass, with aromas and a mouthwatering purity of crushed wild strawberries, raspberries and pomegranate," calling it "lean and elegant and a perfect summer red," recommending it "served ever so slightly chilled, with grilled tuna."  This is genuinely vibrant, food-friendly Sicilian red — real authenticity from ancient estate clones grown in the island's own distinctive red soil.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Feudo di Santa Tresa 2025 Rina Russa Frappato Terre Siciliane is produced by Feudo di Santa Tresa, in Vittoria, southeastern Sicily, Italy, owned by Stefano and Marina Girelli since 2001. The wine is made entirely from Frappato, sourced from ancient indigenous clones discovered on the estate's own vineyards, grown on distinctive red clay soil known locally as "rina russa."

Farming is organic across the estate's 39 hectares of vineyard. Grapes are chilled overnight to 6-8°C to preserve Frappato's delicate character before vinification. The wine is crafted under consulting winemaker Stefano Chioccioli. Bottled at 12.5% ABV, 750ml.

Critics Reviews

Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast (2024/2025 vintage):
"On the nose, leading aromas of wild strawberry and cranberry are both complemented and balanced by undertones of wild fennel and white pepper. On the palate, sweet, ripe wild strawberries and cherries mingle with..."

For house-style context, a related vintage of this same wine received:

Amy Wisloki, Decanter — 92 Points:
"Made by acclaimed consultant winemaker Stefano Chioccioli, and new on the shelves at Waitrose, this is textbook Frappato, delicate, bright and fresh. Bright cherry red in colour, this is summer pudding in a glass, with aromas and a mouthwatering purity of crushed wild strawberries, raspberries and pomegranate. It's lean and elegant and a perfect summer red. Try it served ever so slightly chilled, with grilled tuna."

Santa Tresa (official tasting note, 2025 vintage):
"The nose opens with fresh red cherry, wild strawberry, and a delicate whisper of rose petal, layered with subtle notes of dried herbs typical of Sicilian terroir."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Bright cherry red in color. Fresh red cherry and wild strawberry lead, joined by rose petal and cranberry, alongside wild fennel, white pepper, and dried Mediterranean herb.

Palate
Silky and smooth, with sweet, ripe wild strawberry and cherry carrying the entry, developing raspberry and pomegranate, balanced by a hint of pepper and baking spice.

Finish
Surprisingly long for its light body, closing fresh and lean — genuinely food-friendly.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled tuna or swordfish
• Light charcuterie
• Cured meats and game
• Summer salads

Serving Note

Best served slightly chilled, at 55-60°F (13-16°C).