Established in 1996, the Azienda Agricola Candido Orazio has been committed to continue the age-old and demanding tradition of vine growing.

Its purpose, preserving and enhancing the natural qualities of the earth of Sicily, is to transform grapes into wine by blending nature’s methods with modern technology.

The grapes are in the skilled hands of the expert Paolo Distefano, who is closely assisted by Giovanni Caccamo, both upholders of a wine tradition that they inherited from Odysseus himself. Then, grapes are entrusted into the hands of the wine specialist Giuseppe Romano, our “Virgil” on this glorious journey.

Confident in the ability to meet the most demanding requirements of the customers, Orazio and his crew, made up of his tireless brothers and cousins, assure the high quality and finest taste of their wines.

As it was for Alessandro Manzoni’s walnut tree, we, at a time when grape prices were fallen dramatically, also had chosen to lay bare the roots to the sun. But, at a party with friends, as one of them praised the exquisite tastes of food and wine, another promptly replied: “yes, but some absent-minded here, who’s not noticed we’re drinking wine from his grapes, wants to deprive us of it”. A playful snort following, was hinting at our self-interest.

Giorgio e Salvatore Candido

In 1988 I had such a beautiful dream. This would only come true in 2002, when Odisseo, the wine of Gods came to life. The Odisseo wine is made by a virtuous Modican family, the Candidos. And it was not by chance that it was born in Modica, the hometown of the great poet Salvatore Quasimodo who had a strong passion for Hellenistic culture.
I am proud to have witnessed such a pleasant event that has been made possible thanks to the efforts of the Candido family, to which I wish every success.

Vittorio Cimiotta