The Leonardo geographical area is situated in the coastal region of Pantelleria, near the town centre and the inlet between Punta della Croce and Punta San Leonardo. It is a distinctly Mediterranean environment, shaped by the island’s volcanic origins, the presence of basalt rocks and the constant influence of the sea. The climate combines intense sunlight, hot summers, low rainfall, high atmospheric humidity and frequent winds – factors that influence the ripening and concentration of the grapes.
Within the Pantelleria landscape, the Leonardo area too must be understood through the interplay between agriculture, lava rock and man-made protective structures. Traditional viticulture is based on the Pantelleria ‘alberello’ training system, where vines are grown in hollows dug into the ground to collect rainwater and shelter the bunches from the wind. The iconic grape variety is Zibibbo, or Moscato d’Alessandria, which expresses floral, citrus and Mediterranean aromas. These grapes give rise to dry and aromatic wines, as well as Moscato and Passito di Pantelleria, the latter also produced by drying the bunches in the sun. Terraces, dry stone walls and manual labour complete a terroir in which agricultural tradition continues to play a central role in the island’s winemaking identity.