It is a story of passion for Sicily and its fruits that Carmelo Bonetta, owner of Baglio del Cristo di Campobello, has told us with this interview. The demonstration of how from an historic place in Southern Italy and its innate characteristics it is possible to create a happy and committed reality that, with attention to the smallest details, collects successes and does not seem determined to stop.

1. How was your winery born?

We belong to a winemakers family from generations, infact the passion and attachment to our land and its wonderful fruits has always been part of our lives. After decades of cultivating grape harvests, the vision of a new oenological journey was born, always looking for absolute quality. With the awareness of having the right resources, the right place, an extraordinary microclimate and qualified people, we thought about the idea of Baglio del Cristo di Campobello.

2. Why have you choose the name “Baglio del Cristo di Campobello”?

The name is not a fancy one, but is made up of three real elements of our territory: the production area, precisely Campobello di Licata, a small town in Sicily in Agrigento; an ancient baglio, a typical agricultural structure where the peasants once lived and carried out all their activities; a wooden Christ that stands among the vineyards, dating back to about two hundred years ago. It was placed there by a farmer who worked these lands following a received grace. Since then, the Christ became a point of reference in the area for all peasants, so much so that the district, although called Favarotta, is known as the district “Christ”. The devotion to Christ has remained so in the years that every May 3 renews the tradition of a faithful pilgrimage from Campobello di Licata to the Christ.

3. Where is your winery located and what peculiarity does your area have?

We are in Campobello di Licata, in the province of Agrigento, in a hilly area, about 300 meters above thesea level and 8 km from the coast of Licata. An uncontaminated place, with infinite environmental nuances, dedicated to local religious traditions and cultivated with passion and dedication, with wisdom and experience by its three “fathers of the family”. Here the chalky soils together with an optimal microclimate make our wines unique.

4. If you had to choose an adjective, how would you define your winery?

Linked to the territory, it is an extreme expression of it. Wine becomes an precious instrument to convey the identity of our territory, its history, culture and traditions. Therefore, our daily commitment is to make wines that have a strong character and a strong personality, that are an expression of our territory and that find the appreciation of those who drink it.

5. What is your philosophy?

Our philosophy is to pay attention to small things, caring about the details, in each harvest looking for a new goal, another opportunity for improvement, trying not to upset what the earth gives us in order to give life to wines that are always the expression of a unique territory like ours.

6. What is the perception of Sicilian wines in the world according to your experience?

The interest in Sicilian wine is growing strongly, our regional wines potential is great, but we must better communicate the peculiarities of the various territories and the various vines that we find in this great “continent” that is Sicily. Each wine is unique, because it comes from a unique land. To taste a wine means to discover a certain territory. The characteristics that distinguish our wines depend mainly on one fact: the harmony between the chalky soil, which distinguishes our territory, the cultivated varieties, altitude and suitable climatic conditions, together with the maniacal care for our vineyards day after day. Furthermore, our wine is also the expression of a unique territory as it is rich in history, tradition and culture. This is why communication becomes a fundamental and decisive element for the perception of Sicilian wines.
We must also continue to focus on an ever-increasing quality that, however, is what we have always done.

7. What is your export percentage? What is your experience with the world of international markets?

Our main target market is the Italian one. However, abroad countries represent an important market, to which we slowly approached from the beginning, making our presence grow year after year until arriving at today with an export of 35% of the total production.
At the base of our export activity there is not the search for the so-called “spot sales”, but rather the idea of creating strong and lasting bonds with our partners, so as to be able communicate through our wine, our territory and the history, culture and traditions of Agrigento in Sicily.