What is made here
Wine colours
Colours the rules allow. Pick a colour to filter the rules and grapes below.
Where it is
Contessa Entellina in Italy
- Latitude
- 37.7°–37.8° N
- Vineyard altitude
- 146 m to 560 m
- Production zone
- 13,614 ha
Lies within
Sicilia
Worked out from the boundaries (smallest container first). They follow whole communes, so a neighbour sharing a commune can show up here too.
Boundary drawn from whole communes, so it is a little larger than the legal zone. Boundary: Eurac Research PDO inventory (CC0). Country outlines: Natural Earth. Dots on the zone map are the vineyard points used for climate.
Showing every colour The colour filter changes the rules and grapes. Climate, vintages and soils describe the vineyards, so they stay the same.
01 · What the law says
The rules
Limits on grapes, yields, ripeness and ageing that every wine labelled Contessa Entellina must meet.
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Rosso
- ≥ 50% Nero d'Avola / Syrah · Main grape
- – other non-aromatic black grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Nero d’Avola
- ≥ 85% Nero d'Avola · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Syrah
- ≥ 85% Syrah · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Cabernet Sauvignon
- ≥ 85% Cabernet Sauvignon · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Merlot
- ≥ 85% Merlot · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Pinot Nero
- ≥ 85% Pinot Noir · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Rosso Riserva
- ≥ 50% Nero d'Avola / Syrah · Main grape
- – other non-aromatic black grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
At least 24 months' ageing.
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Rosato
- ≥ 50% Nero d'Avola / Syrah · Main grape
- – other non-aromatic black grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Bianco
- ≥ 50% Ansonica · Main grape
- – other white grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Grecanico
- ≥ 85% Grecanico · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Chardonnay
- ≥ 85% Chardonnay · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Sauvignon
- ≥ 85% Sauvignon Blanc · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Ansonica
- ≥ 85% Ansonica · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Catarratto
- ≥ 85% Catarratto · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Fiano
- ≥ 85% Fiano · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Viognier
- ≥ 85% Viognier · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
Blend rules
Contessa Entellina Vendemmia Tardiva
- ≥ 50% Ansonica · Main grape
- – other white grapes suitable for Sicily · Others allowed
; release from 18 months from 1 November of the harvest year.
Other varieties allowed
Besides the main grapes, the rules allow these varieties in some wines. Grape names link where a profile exists.
27 varieties · 4 wines
Aglianico, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calabrese, Carignan, Catanese Nero, Ciliegiolo, Corinto Nero, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Malbec, Merlot, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Tannat, Tempranillo
28 varieties · Contessa Entellina Nero d’Avola
Aglianico, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calabrese, Carignan, Catanese Nero, Ciliegiolo, Corinto Nero, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Malbec, Merlot, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo
27 varieties · Contessa Entellina Cabernet Sauvignon
Aglianico, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Calabrese, Carignan, Catanese Nero, Ciliegiolo, Corinto Nero, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Malbec, Merlot, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo
27 varieties · Contessa Entellina Merlot
Aglianico, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calabrese, Carignan, Catanese Nero, Ciliegiolo, Corinto Nero, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Malbec, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo
27 varieties · Contessa Entellina Pinot Nero
Aglianico, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calabrese, Carignan, Catanese Nero, Ciliegiolo, Corinto Nero, Frappato, Gaglioppo, Malbec, Merlot, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Perricone, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo
28 varieties · Contessa Entellina Bianco, Contessa Entellina Ansonica, Contessa Entellina Vendemmia Tardiva
Albanello, Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Fiano, Glera, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia Bianca, Malvasia di Lipari, Manzoni Bianco, Minnella Bianca, Montonico Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Zibibbo
28 varieties · Contessa Entellina Grecanico
Albanello, Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Fiano, Glera, Grillo, Malvasia Bianca, Malvasia di Lipari, Manzoni Bianco, Minnella Bianca, Montonico Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Zibibbo
29 varieties · Contessa Entellina Chardonnay
Albanello, Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Fiano, Glera, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia Bianca, Malvasia di Lipari, Manzoni Bianco, Minnella Bianca, Montonico Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Zibibbo
28 varieties · Contessa Entellina Sauvignon
Albanello, Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Fiano, Glera, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia Bianca, Malvasia di Lipari, Manzoni Bianco, Minnella Bianca, Montonico Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Zibibbo
28 varieties · Contessa Entellina Catarratto
Albanello, Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Fiano, Glera, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia Bianca, Malvasia di Lipari, Manzoni Bianco, Minnella Bianca, Montonico Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Zibibbo
28 varieties · Contessa Entellina Fiano
Albanello, Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Glera, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia Bianca, Malvasia di Lipari, Manzoni Bianco, Minnella Bianca, Montonico Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Zibibbo
28 varieties · Contessa Entellina Viognier
Albanello, Ansonica, Carricante, Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, Chenin Blanc, Damaschino, Fiano, Glera, Grecanico Dorato, Grillo, Malvasia Bianca, Malvasia di Lipari, Manzoni Bianco, Minnella Bianca, Montonico Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Zibibbo
In the vineyard and cellar: rules for every wine
Training
Systems allowed
controspalliera; alberello
No forcing
Forcing the vines is prohibited
Permitted
Irrigation
Cellar
Where the wine must be made
Within the production zone
02 · Climate fingerprint
The climate
The growing season averages 20.7 °C, hot on Gregory Jones's scale, with 2,293 growing degree days (Winkler V).
The average year 1991–2020, vineyards at about 369 m
Monthly mean, °CRain, mmGrowing season
- Growing-season temperature
- 20.7 °C
- Hot · 19–21 °C (Jones)
- Growing degree days
- 2,293
- Region V: 2,222 and over degree days
- Growing-season rain
- 264 mm
- Of 636 mm a year
- Harvest rain
- 130 mm
- September–October
Copernicus ERA5-Land monthly averages at 5 vineyard points (Vineyard point 1, 307 m; Vineyard point 2, 533 m; Vineyard point 3, 146 m; Vineyard point 4, 262 m; Vineyard point 5, 598 m), moved to each point's height from the model's terrain. Indices that need daily data are not captured yet. How the climate figures are made.
Lower confidence:Monthly reanalysis in moderately complex terrain; not yet checked against a weather station.
Closest climates in the database
Picked by the data, not by hand: the profiles nearest on season warmth (counted twice), degree days, rain, ripening-month nights and day–night range. Neighbours within 30 km are left out, as they share the same weather.
1. Tavoliere delle PuglieVery similarCompared with Contessa Entellina: same season warmth, similar rain.
2. Moscato di TraniVery similarCompared with Contessa Entellina: same season warmth, similar rain.
3. ArboreaVery similarCompared with Contessa Entellina: same season warmth, similar rain.
Growing-season temperature
Growing degree days
Growing-season rain
03 · Year by year
35 vintages
Each column is one growing season: heat above or below the 1991–2020 average, and rain at harvest. Pick a year for the details.
Warmer than averageCooler than averageHarvest rain (Sep–Oct)Average harvest rain, 130 mm
2025
- Growing-season temp.
- Growing degree days
- Harvest rain
- Growing-season rain
- September nights
- Hot days and frosts
Seasons are labelled by harvest year (April–October). Year-to-year changes from ERA5-Land; tested against station records in Alto Adige (r = 0.94 for season temperature at Bolzano). Rain varies more locally, so treat single-season rain with some caution. Vintage ratings, harvest dates and frost or hail events have places in the data model but are not loaded yet.
04 · Where the numbers come from
Sources
- A geospatial inventory of regulatory information for wine protected designations of origin in Europe · Candiago et al., Scientific Data 9, 394 (2022); Eurac Research · CC0
- Quality wines in Italy and France: a dataset of PDO specifications · figshare 25393261 · CC BY 4.0
- ERA5-Land monthly averaged data (reanalysis-era5-land-monthly-means) · Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), Climate Data Store · CC BY 4.0 (Copernicus licence)
- OpenStreetMap vineyard areas (landuse=vineyard), from Geofabrik country extracts · OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL 1.0
- Copernicus DEM GLO-90 (AWS open data tiles) · European Space Agency / Copernicus · Copernicus DEM licence
- Disciplinare di produzione: Contessa Entellina · Ministero dell'agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste (MASAF) · Official act
- Appellation nesting worked out from boundaries (pipeline/build_nesting.py) · Vinous, from the Eurac PDO boundaries · CC0 (source data)
- Climate profiles calculated by Vinous: method
Still to check (3)
- Generated from EU reference data: check against the current product specification.
- From the specification: Two-variety wines must be 100% from the two named varieties with at least 15% of the minor one. Vendemmia tardiva ranges from dry to sweet (sweetness left null); grapes dried on the vine, picked no earlier than 1 October. The 'riserva' mention also applies to varietal reds; vinification may also be allowed in Marsala by ministerial consent.
- National tier (DOC/DOCG) not captured yet; rules extracted from the specification text.