Nero d’Avola is sometimes compared with Shiraz. Characterized by its deep color, body and ageability, the best examples are lush with fruit and balanced with fine acid and ripe tannins.

The vine thrives in the hot, arid climate and prefers south facing slopes. Mediterranean winds provide cooling and aeration.

Nero d’Avola is the most important grape of Sicily. The grape has been known for the past several hundred years, and is thought that Nero d’Avola is indigenous to the island, near the town of Avola. It is possible the vine made its way there from Calabria, on the mainland.