Colombo

Colombo produces Marsala in Sicily, where the same family has made the wine since 1875. Its white grape vineyards lie in western Sicily, slightly inland from Marsala, with east-facing vines on vertical trellises in sandy and clay-rich soil. Grillo, Inzolia and Catarratto are usually harvested in late August. The white wine facility has soft presses, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and refurbished concrete tanks. Its wines include dry and sweet Marsala, made with a special must called Mistella, prepared once a year. Wine brandy is added for fortification before the must is blended with wine in copper kettles over a log fire. The Marsala then ages in Slavonian oak barrels for at least 18 months, while red wines are finished in French and American barriques.