Bonavita is the name of the wine produced by Giovanni Scarfone and his family at the north-facing eastern tip of Sicily in Messina. The devastating earthquake of 1908 is the defining event of this corner of the world, as it destroyed 90% of the buildings and killed 100,000 people, including most of Scarfone's ancestors. His great-grandfather was one who survived, and is the only reason these vineyards still exist. He and Giovanni's father and grandfather maintained their cultural heritage for the benefit of their family and their neighbors more than for any commercial benefit. Giovanni made the odd decision to become a professional winemaker at the age of 20, shocking his friends and family, who saw no future for these desolate, maritime, wind-swept vineyards on the edge of an island. The inaugural release of Bonavita was 2006, the 3,000 bottles of which were sold domestically with some acclaim. This blend of varieties in the nerello family (mascalese, cappuccio, etc.) exudes the quiet wilderness of this far corner of the world. We recommend drinking half the bottle with saffron risotto and the second half the next day with arancini.