I Vigneri

I Vigneri is a family owned and operated winery located on Mt. Etna in Sicily. It was started by the well known Salvo Foti. Salvo was born in Catania in 1962 and in 1981 he started his oenological career as a consultant for renown Sicilian producers in Agrigento, Ragusa and Trapani. 

His current work is defined by Mt. Etna, where he participated in the birth of winemaking companies that today are leaders in this area. His commitment to the oenological sector has not always been only purely technical, rather he has extended his work to other areas, including the marketing of wines and scientific research in the oenological sector in collaboration with national institutes and universities. Salvo has also published numerous studies and technical books on viticulture. 

Today, Salvo’s sons Simone and Andrea are active participants in the winery and the continuation of the future at I Vigneri. His eldest son Simone Foti was born in Catania in 1994. Following in his father’s footsteps, he showed a great interest in viticulture from an early age and would accompany his father among the vineyards. After high school and a harvest in California, he attended the prestigious wine school of Beaune, in Burgundy, where he graduated in 2018. He continued his international experience in Burgundy and in other areas of wine-growing France where he came into contact with the excellence of French oenology. Back on Mt. Etna, he is an active part of the family business where he deals specifically with the vineyards and wine growing process.

Salvo’s younger son Andrea Foti was born in Catania in 1998. Like his brother, he was born into the tradition. After finishing high school, he moved to Milan where he attended the State University, graduating in Viticulture and Oenology with full marks in December 2019. Back on Etna, he is an active part of the family business where he deals specifically with oenological aspects and quality control.