Our History

It was 1918: World War I had just ended. Vito Zerilli had fought on the Piave, but now he could return home, to his Petrosino, and resume the family business: the cultivation of the vine.

In this sun-kissed territory by the sea, the vine has always found the best conditions to express itself. Among the favorite grape varieties of Vito Zerilli were the typical varieties of western Sicily such as Catarratto and Grillo, the one that Vito called "The knight's cricket": it was his wine, the most loved, made as tradition wanted, in a genuine way, with low production per plant and great attention to quality.

Even then, everything was managed with care, worked by hand with the help of the mule "Gina".

Vito's tenacity was rewarded and, slowly, he managed to expand the company by planting new vineyards. The whole family was actively involved in managing the company so that when, in 1939, Vito had to leave for war, it was his wife and son Nenè who carried on the business until his return.

In 1960, Zerilli began a process of innovation that led to the mechanization of both the work in the vineyard and in the cellar. In 1980, Vito Zerilli's grandson entered the family business. The young man, who bears his grandfather's name, quickly became passionate about the wine world and still follows all stages of production today. From the marriage between Vito and the beautiful young Mariangela, who is also descended from a family of winemakers from Petrosino, Antonino and Leonardo were born, now the pillars of the company.

Thanks to this union, the business is expanding. The farmhouse of Baglio Woodhouse becomes a place of great ferment where the scents and colors of the Sicilian territory transform into intense and aromatic wines.

Throughout the ‘90s and 2000s, the company continued its growth process, reaching the current 9 hectares where the classic grape varieties of the territory of Petrosino grow, such as Grillo, Catarratto, Nero d’Avola, and also international varieties like Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Pinot Grigio.

2014 is the year of change. Thanks also to the tenacity and energy of the youngs Antonino and Leonardo, the company begins a new adventure: the first bottles under the brand “Terre del Sole Zerilli” are born.

The company's name expresses the desire to tell the story of the territory and to incorporate all the characteristics of its places of origin into its wines, traditionally suited to viticulture.

Slowly the dream takes shape and, year after year, Terre del Sole Zerilli establishes itself as a young and dynamic brand aimed at a sustainable vision of the agricultural business. The Zerilli family's vineyards are all located between Petrosino and Marsala, in one of the most wine-growing areas in Europe. Some are located just a few hundred meters from the coast. The sun that accompanies the development of the plants for many months of the year and the proximity to the sea have allowed the production of wines with well-recognizable characteristics and aromas.