Sicily’s wine sector seeks €18 million crisis distillation aid, says Deputy Dario Safina

Regional deputy Dario Safina (PD) urged the Sicilian government to allocate at least €18 million for a “distillazione di crisi” programme to help winemakers recover from a difficult 2025 harvest hit by downy mildew and green citrus aphids. He argued that a flat support of €0.60 per litre is insufficient and proposed three support tiers – a base level for table wines, a higher level for IGT wines, and the highest level for DOC wines – to reflect the varied production costs across the sector.

Safina also called for incentives to use concentrated must instead of added sugar, suggesting it could create new market opportunities and add value along the supply chain. He highlighted that despite the challenges, cooperative wineries managed to secure advance payments for members, but sales stalled due to reduced consumer demand, inflation and international tensions. “È per questo … che la richiesta di una distillazione di crisi … è oggi ancora più urgente,” he said, urging rapid regional action to preserve Sicily’s renowned wine heritage.