Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

Verbumcaudo, the Sicilian vine bank is born

The Verbumcaudo fiefdom of Polizzi Generosa is now available to everyone again. An immense farm that belonged to Michele Greco and which had been identified by Giovanni Falcone among the assets to be seized during the investigations which then led to the celebration of the maxi-trial.

An exhibition, structured through photos and stories, marked its rebirth. The museum classroom set up by the regional department for agricultural and food resources was inaugurated on Saturday 19 May in the presence of Madonie civil society and a representation of students from the Di Vincenti high school in Bisacquino. In short, what will be the first place to welcome and work for visitors and operators. “A new phase is opening for this good. – declared the regional councilor for the economy, Gaetano Armao – It will be able to return to being productive, thanks to the initiatives already in the pipeline of the Institute of Wines and Oils of Sicily, it will be open to school groups, thanks to the availability of the councilor Mario Centorrino which through the offices of the department will take care of the guided tours, will be a resource for the local populations, thanks to the care of the Madonie administrations and will be guarded and cared for, thanks to the forest rangers".

Both wine and oil are also considered by the Institute for their "cultural" aspect, strongly linked to the territory, history and local traditions. And participation in the Verbumcaudo fiefdom project fits into this perspective. Specifically, IRVOS will "manage" six of the 150 hectares available. The first Sicilian vine bank will be established on two of them and will be available to producers and experts. “Sicily boasts a truly rich treasure chest of vines – states Dario Cartabellotta, general director of the Institute – from the Phoenicians to today, the varieties we have accumulated are many. And here lies our strong point which we must not lose but rather pass on." In the remaining four hectares, red wine and white wine will be produced. The same will happen for the eight hectares used for oil cultivation.