A family winery on the historic Feud of Targia, recovering the nearly-lost Moscato di Siracusa and reviving Nero d’Avola through ancestral vineyards and modern technique.
At a glance
Pupillo Farm occupies much of the acreage that once comprised the Feud of Targia, a territory celebrated for its Frederician castle and exceptionally fertile soils. Today it operates as a winemaking estate devoted to recovering lost heritage varieties and perfecting established ones across six distinct vineyard plots on the Syracuse plain.
History
Founded in 1908, the farm stands on land with deep historical roots. The Feud of Targia once extended over 140 hectares, positioned between the ruins of Euryalus Castle (built 402–397 B.C.) and the Dionysian Walls, near Megara Hyblaea, one of Sicily’s earliest Greek colonies. For decades the vineyard traditions faded. Beginning more than twenty years ago, Nino Pupillo undertook systematic recovery of his family’s ancestral vineyards, particularly focusing on resurrecting Moscato di Siracusa, a wine long absent from production.
What you see
Six vineyard plots—Senie, Mulino, Podere 27, Tre Ettari, Favaraggio, and Vignazza delle Monache—display heterogeneous soils that define the character of their output. Limestone-rich earth imparts delicacy to Moscato grapes, while volcanic soils reinforce the full-bodiedness of reds and Nero d’Avola. The green landscape stretches across the fertile Epipoli plain and opens toward the Mediterranean’s salt-tinged air.
Cultural significance
The farm represents a deliberate act of viticultural archaeology. By recovering Moscato di Siracusa—a wine that nearly disappeared from history—and renewing established varieties, Pupillo Farm anchors contemporary production to centuries of Sicilian winemaking identity. Each bottle documents the flavors and story of Syracuse’s territory: citrus, orange blossom, honey, apricot, jasmine, raisin, and peach.
Key facts
- Founded 1908
- Address: Contrada Targia, 96100 Siracusa, Sicilia
- Coordinates: 37.109037, 15.243362
- Phone: 0931 494029
- Website: http://cantinepupillo.it/
Practical information
The winery combines traditional harvest methods—grapes picked in cool summer mornings to preserve their properties—with modern winemaking technique. Visits and tastings are available; contact the estate directly for hours and arrangements.
Getting there
The farm is located on Contrada Targia, south of Siracusa in southeastern Sicily. You can reach it by car or via local transport from the city center. For directions and opening hours, call 0931 494029 or visit the official website.
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