Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

SICILY: VINITALY AWARDS THE "ANGELO BETTI" AWARD IN MEMORY OF FRANCO MOTISI

The Regional Departments of Agriculture of all the regions of Italy for the 58th edition of Vinitaly have collaborated with Veronafiere to identify the personalities or entities that have most favored the growth of the Italian wine sector.

The Viticulture Award was established on the occasion of Vinitaly's 50th anniversary in honor of Angelo Betti, the visionary founder of Vinitaly.

For the 2026 edition of Vinitaly the Sicilian Region prize was awarded in memory of Franco Motisi He exemplarily embodied the values of duty, professionalism, and integrity—qualities that make him fully deserving of the Angelo Betti Award. An inspector for the Control Body of the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil (IRVO) since 2009, he dedicated his life to protecting and enhancing the Sicilian wine industry, operating with rigor, expertise, and a profound sense of service. Throughout his career, Motisi distinguished himself as a guardian of quality, ensuring compliance with DOC regulations so that each bottle faithfully expresses its terroir. He also acted as a guarantor of transparency, contributing to the strengthening of certification and traceability systems and strengthening the relationship of trust between producers and consumers. Through his commitment, he also defended the identity of Sicilian production, supporting the regional mission of promoting the island's winemaking excellence worldwide. His passing, which occurred on December 12, 2025, while carrying out his duties, testifies to his absolute dedication to his work and to his institutions. Franco Motisi thus leaves behind a moral and professional legacy of the highest value, an example of ethics for the entire wine sector.

The award for the occasion was given to his wife Benedetta Pullarà and to the children.

The following participated in the "Angelo Betti" award ceremony: the councilor Luca Sammartino Councillor of the Sicilian Region for Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries, Giusi Mistretta And Vito Bentivegna, respectively extraordinary commissioner and general director of IRVO, the private secretary Philip GranatoThe award ceremony was conducted by Marco Gatti and Paolo Massobrio, with the President of Veronafiere Federico Bricolo, theTo Barbara Ferro and the Deputy General Manager Gianni Bruno.

 

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