Left to right: Gianni Raniolo (president of "Consorzio Uva di Mazzarrone Igp") and Angelo Brunetti (co-owner of "Casa di Grazia").
"I own Casa di Grazia together with my wife Maria Grazia. The company was established in the late 1980s because we were passionate about agriculture and because the Gela territory needed new socio-economical development opportunities. This is why we focused on varietal diversification and identified different types of table grapes, peaches and apricots capable of catching the attention of the markets that count."
The company currently covers approximately 200 hectares, 140 of which are dedicated to table grapes. Twelve are peach and apricot orchards while the rest is used for other crops. The grape varieties cultivated are Victoria and Palieri (70 Ha), while remaining vineyards produce seedless varieties such as Sugraone, Arre 29 - 13 - 11 (patented varieties).
Victoria grapes, the early variety that starts the season
"Due to the strong demand from the richer markets, I have introduced innovative grafts that should lead to a 30% increase in turnover in the short-medium period. I'm talking about the Millennium, Same Royal and Flame varieties."
The company ended the season with 1500 tons of table grapes in total and a price trend that Brunetti himself defines as satisfactory.
"I love to walk in our vineyards every morning and breathe in some oxygen before work. I talk to our operators and think about how to schedule everything."
Palieri grapes
The area is particularly suitable for early varieties. "We have no competition when we start except for Egypt, but that's only for the seedless varieties. We had a good season with Victoria, which sold between mid-May at €2.20/kg and July at €1.50/kg. Seedless varieties did well too, starting with €2.30/kg and ending in October with €1/kg."
In addition to Northern Europe, grapes from Casa di Grazia also reach remote markets such as the Arab countries and South America (Brazil and Ecuador in particular) where Sicilian grapes is much appreciated. Recently, the company has introduced two new brands - 'Beatrice' for red grapes and 'Brunetti' for white grapes.
The peach and apricot orchards will also start producing next year. In addition to diversifying supply, they will extend the company's production calendar. The harvesting of Maia Cot apricots will in fact start in early April and the peach variety chosen is Filomena, which is also early.
Contacts:
Azienda Agricola Casa di Grazia
Zona Ind.le 2° Strada C/da Brucazzi
93012 Gela (CL) ITALY
Tel.: +39 0 933 924448
Fax: +39 0933 91 94 65
Email: [email protected]