Viticultori Associati Canicattì > Who we are > The project of Taccia Caci

There is a part of Sicilian history which is tied to the Montagna d’Aragona in Contrada Mintini, where the Taccia - Caci sulphur mine stands. Managed by the family of Luigi Pirandello, it has also been a source of inspiration for the famous short story which goes by the name of ‘Ciàula scopre la luna’ (Ciàula Discovers the Moon).

With a difficult and tumultuous history, like that experienced by the miners and ‘carusi’ (boys employed in the mines) in the sulphur mines of central-southern Sicily, Viticultori Associati Canicattì has put together an experimental Project, which is technically valid and visionary: the exploitation of the humid conditions, ventilation and constant temperatures in the subterranean shafts of the Taccia - Caci sulphur mine to develop and age wine in barriques and bottles.

This idea has been taken up and promoted by the regional government of the Town of Aragona, which is committed to enhancing the mining Park of Taccia - Caci, its buildings on the surface having been brought back to life to welcome tourists and for cultural and production purposes. The exploitation of niches between underground passages and mine-shafts for the aging of wines is tied up with the reutilisation of winzes (inclined passages not arriving at the surface) and subterranean spaces. These must be rendered safe and suitable for the aging of wines and in turn to receive tourists who could visit this cultural and historical wonder, which has over the centuries made such an important contribution to defining Sicilian identity.

Thus a visit to the Taccia - Caci sulphur mine will be a journey throughout time, following an imaginative itinerary which mirrors the splendour and majesty of the Valley of the Temples at Agrigento with the splendour of these subterranean cathedrals, where thousands of peasants and boys have lived out their entire existence. Precious reserves of Aynat and Scialo, two of Viticultori Associati’s top-of-the-range wines, will be deposited in a former Gill furnace and ex-gunpowder deposit to scientifically evaluate the development and verify the positive effects which these naturally-conditioned environments can exert.

In addition to enhancing the aging process of fine wines, it is also the intention of the regional government and Viticultori Associati to construct a small, experimental wine-cellar in order to divide into zones the ampelographical heritage of this Sicilian region.