contact us

Use the form on the right to contact us.

You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.​

5218 Lawton Avenue
Oakland, CA 94114

510-654-9159

Oliver McCrum Wines has been importing small production Italian wine and distributing to fine retail and restaurant establishes throughout California since 1994. Over time, our portfolio of producers has steadily grown to over 45 producers from 15 different regions of Italy. We look for typical Italian wines with clarity and freshness, usually made from indigenous Italian grape varieties using clean, transparent winemaking techniques and no obvious use of oak. 

Blog

The Southeast Side of Sicily

Michele Boscia

If you’re looking for a part of Italy untouched by global tourism, we suggest visiting the Provence of Ragusa is southeastern Sicily with its UNESCO-listed Baroque architecture and beautiful hillside towns. We stayed there just recently on a visit to Cantina Gurrieri, where we were greeted by 87 year old Vincenzo and his son Giovanni. Organic Nero d’Avola, Frappato, and Grillo are the specialties, harvested by hand with slow, low-temperature fermentations in the cellar.

The history of Gurrieri, in the panorama of Sicilian viticulture, stems from a family passion. Giovanni and Angela, born and raised with the agricultural and peasant passion of father Vincenzo and mother Graziella who have been producing grapes for fifty years, decided to continue the family tradition and produce grapes, wine, and oil in Sicily, near the little town of Chiaramonte Gulfi, in the province of Ragusa. The dream of making a Sicilian wine which represents the identity of its territory began with the first bottling in 2010.

Modica’s UNESCO world heritage status isn’t the only reason to visit, however. It’s also the home of Cioccolato di Modica, a historic (and PGI-protected) form of cold-pressed chocolate that is manually-grinded, similar to how the Aztecs made chocolate in Mexico centuries ago. As you can imagine, it’s a culinary hub for the region and the restaurants there are simply incredible.

We spent our last evening in Modica drinking Gurrieri Grillo and eating outside at the Michelin-starred L’Osteria di Accursio led by Chef Accursio Craparo. Course after course of Sicilian specialties in the heart of the town center with a gorgeous view in every direction. Add Gurrieri to your list of must-try Sicilian winemakers and Modica to your next travel destination; you won’t be sorry!

Comment