With a name like this, you can’t help but think of Sicily. But – unlike at the home of the fictional character by the same name – instead of a terrace overlooking the sea of Vigata (that everyone knows does not exist), there is a winery on the shores of Lake Arancio, in Sambuca di Sicilia. Casa Montalbano has been involved in the transformation, conservation and marketing of agricultural products since 1998. It was Giuseppe Salvatore’s idea, fully accepted by his wife Maria and their children Alessandro, Laura and Sergio. The product range is very extensive: marmalades, jams, sauces, pesto, preserves, all labeled “Made in Sicily,” with a majority of products originating in the Alto Belice and Basso Belice areas. The idea of the founder was a result of his political experience. The twice mayor of Sambuca was convinced – and still is – that the emergence of well-managed agricultural and tourism enterprises would enable a renaissance of “his” Terre Sicane. Today Montalbano finds that it has to deal with a demand that is greater than supply, and this applies to Italy and abroad. But production remains linked to the seasonality of the products – the siccagno tomato produced by the Libera anti-mafia association in Corleone, Ribera tangerines and oranges, Menfi thorny artichokes – and nature is the deciding factor with regards to final products. There company uses some fifty recipes and there are always new ones. Signora Montalbano revises the old family recipes. Every jar or small package must have her approval.
Casa Montalbano
