One man's vision to change a region's reputation, one wine at a time.
Wine has been made on the sun-soaked island of Sicily for more than 6,000 years — despite this rich history, Sicilian wines were often eclipsed by others on the world stage. Then along came Diego Planeta.
He knew Sicily had the potential to be a major international wine success story and, in the mid-1980s, he convinced his siblings to undertake what was a revolutionary project at the time: plant Chardonnay and other unconventional varietals around their property, which had been in the family for over 17 generations, and grow wines that would “put Sicily once again on the map.”
By the 1990s, their single-family firm was created, and the first Planeta winery was established. Diego became President of the Instituto Regionale della Vite e del Vino, serving from 1985 to 1992. He and his family revolutionized Sicilian wine production by creating a legacy of fearless experimentation and pioneering research.
Nicknamed “Didacus,” Diego created an enterprise that could be passed on to future generations to produce wines of international caliber. He entrusted the next generation with the vision, namely his nephew Alessio, who had worked beside him for years on different agricultural projects. Soon, Diego’s daughter Francesca, nephew Santi, and niece Chiara joined as well.
Today, the family owns estates in five different territories across Sicily. They focus on researching native grape varieties and understanding the unique terroirs to accommodate international varieties. All cultivated land, including the vineyards, olive groves, almond groves, and grain fields, is certified organic. They also continually collaborate with local, national, and international organizations to stay engaged with and give back to communities, including the creation of Parco della Salute in Palermo with ViviSano Association and the Dream project with Sant’Egidio Community, supporting AIDS patients in Africa. The family created their “Didacus” wine in honor of Diego and his vision of a world-class Sicilian wine culture coming to fruition. Alessio has earned marks in his own right, receiving numerous industry accolades for his skill in the cellar — including Wine Enthusiast’s prestigious Wine Star Award for Winemaker of the Year in 2023.
Diego’s far-seeing dream has reached fruition, with Planeta’s wines recognized among the best in the world. Stop by our stores or wine shops to find your favorite bottle of Planeta and savor a taste of Sicily.