Lustro 2020 Abbazia San Giorgio

Lustro 2020 – Abbazia San Giorgio

Wine Overview

Lustro 2020 from Abbazia San Giorgio is a natural orange wine made from 100% Catarratto. Around 10 days of skin contact give the wine structure, aromatic complexity, and an intense amber color, while maintaining freshness and sapidity. Every step of the winemaking is guided by minimal intervention principles, allowing the volcanic terroir of Pantelleria to express itself fully. Lustro contains naturally occurring sulfites, with no chemical additions during vinification.

History and Philosophy

Founded in 2015 by Battista Belvisi and Beppe Fontana, Abbazia San Giorgio aims to revive Pantelleria’s native grape varieties and produce wines that tell the story of the island. Lustro is a pure Catarratto expression, a natural orange wine that combines tradition with a sustainable, biodynamic approach. The goal is to create wines that are both authentic and environmentally respectful, free from synthetic inputs or invasive practices.

Vineyard Philosophy

Lustro’s vineyard covers approximately 1.5 hectares, with 20-year-old vines trained in Guyot, at a density of 3,900 plants per hectare and a yield of 40 q/ha. The alluvial medium-textured soil is rich in micro-elements but low in organic matter, providing freshness, mineral notes, and aromatic complexity. Cultivation follows biodynamic-inspired principles without chemical fertilizers or synthetic products, allowing the vines to develop in harmony with the surrounding environment.

Winery Approach

Hand-harvested in the second week of September, the grapes are carefully selected, destemmed, and crushed. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts. The maceration lasts approximately 10 days, during which the wine absorbs color, aromas, and structure from the skins, without any corrections or additives. Aging takes place in stainless steel tanks for 4 months, preserving aromatic integrity and freshness, without filtration, fining, or added sulfur.

Tasting Notes

Color: light orange with golden reflections, bright and vibrant.
Nose: white flowers, citrus peel, honey, almonds, and mineral nuances reminiscent of the sea.
Palate: fresh, savory, elegant, with persistent minerality and a long, harmonious finish, evolving beautifully in the glass over days.

Pairings

Pairs perfectly with vegetarian dishes, white meats, seafood, baked or grilled fish, and fresh or semi-aged cheeses. Lustro’s sapidity and minerality also make it an excellent aperitif wine. Serve at 11-13°C.

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Abbazia San Giorgio

• Vintage: 2020

• Grape: 100% Catarratto

• Appellation: IGT Terre di Sicilia

• Vineyard area: 1.5 hectares

• Vine age: 20 years

• Training system: Guyot

• Density: 3,900 plants/ha

• Yield: 40 q/ha

• Fermentation: spontaneous with native yeasts

• Aging: stainless steel, 4 months

• Sulfites: naturally present

• Alcohol: 12%

• Bottle size: 0.75 l

• Serving temperature: 11-13°C

• Contains sulfites

See all products of Abbazia San Giorgio

Abbazia San Giorgio: Natural Wines from Pantelleria

Winery History

Abbazia San Giorgio was founded in 2016 in Pantelleria by two friends, Battista Belvisi and Beppe Fontana, who wanted to create a wine that expressed the island’s identity. Their goal was to craft intense, distinctive wines in which the producer’s sensitivity acts as a spokesperson for the territory. The founders drew on traditional knowledge and experience from historical vineyards on the island.

Vineyard Philosophy

The vineyards cover 3.5 hectares in the Khamma district, one of the greenest areas on Pantelleria’s eastern side, with terraces overlooking the sea. Volcanic soils host mainly Zibibbo and Pignatello (Nivuro Nostrale), and to a lesser extent Carignano, Catarratto, and Nerello Mascalese. The traditional alberello pantesco training system, a UNESCO heritage, is used. No chemical products are applied; wild herbs are buried at the end of winter, promoting natural soil fertility.

Winemaking Approach

The natural philosophy continues in the cellar. Vinification relies solely on indigenous yeasts, without invasive interventions or additives, including sulfur dioxide. Every stage of production preserves authentic aromas and freshness, producing wines that evolve in the glass and convey the character of the territory even days after opening.

Wine Characteristics

Abbazia San Giorgio’s wines are fresh, sapid, and Mediterranean, a direct expression of the island and its unique pedoclimatic conditions. Each bottle captures the sun, sea breeze, and aromas of the Mediterranean, delivering an intense and authentic sensory experience. The winery embodies an artisanal approach, creating wines that interact with their environment naturally.