The first edition of the Mandrarossa Literary Award is underway – The Sicily you don’t expect

Combining wine culture with narrative culture , telling stories through wines and words: this is the aim of the first edition of the Mandrarossa Literary Prize – The Sicily you don't expect . The initiative promoted by Mandrarossa , a winery in Menfi (Agrigento), represents the commitment of the Sican reality in the cultural field and reflects the values of quality and innovation that characterize its production. For over twenty-five years, in fact, Mandrarossa has dedicated itself to research and study of the territory, developing working methods based on the analysis of grape varieties, soils and irrigation systems. The literary project therefore represents the natural continuation of the path undertaken by Mandrarossa: if each vineyard tells a story through its wines, now the company opens up to new stories in written form. The goal is to promote culture and narrative by creating a union between the stories contained in the labels and those that come to life through literature, drawing inspiration from the tenacity of the dwarf palm, emblem of the brand, which thrives even in arid environments.

The competition aims to reveal an unexpected Sicily, rich in cultural and oenological potential. An absolute first prize will be announced, with the Premio Narrativa Mandrarossa , followed by a second and third place. There will also be five thematic sections dedicated to the company's wines: Cavadiserpe for thrillers, Bertolino Soprano for fairy tales, Calamossa for the first work, Cartagho for historical novels, Urra di Mare for the category dedicated to sustainability, the environment and paesology.

"Wine is culture - explains Giuseppe Bursi , President of Mandrarossa - and it tells the story and the roots of a territory, of its people, of its traditions, in particular the wine-growing tradition of Menfi, on the south-western coast of Sicily. With Mandrarossa, Cantine Settesoli's flagship brand, we have decided to continue investing in culture, which means development, identity, growth, looking to the future, support for independent bookshops and an example for the younger generations. Reading opens the mind and allows you to experiment with new paths and experiences".

The award also aims to recognize and enhance the commitment of independent bookstores , protagonists in the promotion of Italian culture, actively involving them in the territorial jury. The participating bookstores will be those of the cities that have held the title of capital of culture from 2015 to today, including the finalists for 2025, with the addition of Rome, Milan and Naples. The selection of the works proposed by the bookstores will be entrusted to a technical jury chaired by Aldo Cazzullo and composed of illustrious exponents of the cultural scene: Franco Cardini, Neria de Giovanni, Eleonora Lombardo, Carlo Moretti, Christian Rocca and Nadia Terranova will have the task of evaluating the titles in competition and designating the winners.

The award ceremony will be held on June 28, 2025 in Agrigento , in the Valley of the Temples. The following day, the Mandrarossa Award will offer the city of Agrigento the show Il romanzo della Bibbia, a theatrical adaptation of the book of the same name by Aldo Cazzullo (HarperCollins), by and with Aldo Cazzullo together with Moni Ovadia, with music by Giovanna Famulari.

The competition was presented to the press on February 19, in the Cinema room of the Europa Experience – David Sassoli in Rome. The conference was attended by Fabrizio Spada, Head of Institutional Relations of the Office of the European Parliament in Italy, the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies, Hon. Giorgio Mulè, Hon. Giovanna Iacono, member of the VII Commission for Culture, Science and Education – Chamber of Deputies, Giuseppe Bursi, President of Cantine Settesoli – Mandrarossa, Claudia Origoni, President of the Mandrarossa Literary Prize. The meeting was moderated by Roberta Urso, Head of Public Relations and Communications of Cantine Settesoli – Mandrarossa.