There is a deep connection between wine and stories. Both are born from patient waiting, enriched with unique nuances, and capable of stirring emotions in those who savor them. t is precisely from this connection that the Mandrarossa Literary Prize – The Sicily You Don’t Expect was born, an initiative that celebrates the encounter between culture and territory, between storytelling and winemaking tradition.
Promoted by the renowned Mandrarossa winery of Menfi, in the heart of Sicily, this prize is not just a literary competition but an opportunity to narrate the island through words that go beyond stereotypes. Sicily is not only about the sea and folklore: it is also a land of surprising stories, unexpected landscapes, and intensely lived lives. And it is precisely this authentic and fresh perspective that the prize aims to highlight.
A special element of this initiative is the involvement of independent bookstores across Italy. They are the ones selecting the participating works: novels by Italian authors published between April 2024 and March 2025. This choice stems from the desire to give voice to contemporary fiction, supporting those who promote reading with passion and dedication every day.
The prize is divided into several categories, each named after a Mandrarossa wine label—a tribute to the land and the stories it holds:
- Cava di Serpe for crime novels, because mystery is like a full-bodied wine, meant to be discovered slowly.
- Bertolino Soprano for fairy tales, where imagination soars as lightly as a fine glass of wine.
- Urra di Mare for books about the environment, sustainability, and landscape—just like the wind that caresses the vineyards.
- Cala Mossa for debut works, dedicated to those taking their first steps in the world of writing.
- Cartagho, the section dedicated to historical novels, where the past is told with the taste of the present.
The works will be evaluated by an exceptional jury, chaired by journalist and writer Aldo Cazzullo, alongside distinguished intellectuals and scholars. The award ceremony, scheduled for June 28, 2025, will take place in a magical setting: the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, a site that embodies the perfect balance between history and beauty. To celebrate culture in all its forms, on the following day, spectators will be able to attend a theatrical performance based on the book The Novel of the Bible, featuring Moni Ovadia and evocative music by Giovanna Famulari.
More than just a competition, the Mandrarossa Prize is a journey into the heart of Sicily—between vineyards and words, between history and the future. Because every glass of wine tells a story, and every story deserves to be told with passion and authenticity.
Thus, the Mandrarossa Prize becomes an invitation to be carried away by words and flavors, to discover new perspectives, and to rediscover the roots of our culture. Every story and every sip take us on a timeless journey, where Sicily reveals itself with authenticity, passion, and beauty.
Se hai bisogno di modifiche o preferisci un tono diverso, fammelo sapere! 😊
