Alessio Planeta Wins Election as President of Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Sicilia

Alessio Planeta has been elected as the new president of the Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Sicilia, following a decision made today by the Board of Directors during its first meeting after the Members’ Assembly. The appointment marks a new phase for the organization, which represents and promotes Sicilian wines under the DOC Sicilia appellation. Planeta, who is also the CEO of Planeta winery, succeeds Antonio Rallo, CEO of Donnafugata.

The Board confirmed 12 members for a three-year term, including key figures from Sicily’s leading wine producers and cooperatives. Alongside Planeta and Rallo, the board includes Vincenzo Ampola (Cantine Petrosino), Gaspare Baiata (Cantine Paolini), Giuseppe Bursi (Settesoli), Salvatore Chiantia (Cantina La Vite), Rosario Di Maria (Cantina Ermes), Giuseppe Figlioli (Cantina Birgi), Roberto Magnisi (Duca di Salaparuta), Filippo Paladino (Colomba Bianca), Letizia Russo (Feudo Arancio), and Alberto Tasca (Tasca d’Almerita).

The Consorzio’s leadership emphasized its commitment to strengthening Sicily’s winemaking heritage and expanding its presence in both domestic and international markets. The organization plans to continue its focus on protecting Sicilian wine production, promoting quality standards, and supporting sustainable practices.

In an open letter to stakeholders, Alessio Planeta expressed gratitude for his appointment and acknowledged the work of his predecessors in building the Consorzio since its founding in 2012. He highlighted current challenges facing the wine sector, including shifting consumer habits, increased scrutiny on health issues related to alcohol, global market pressures, rising costs, and geopolitical uncertainty. Planeta also pointed out that communication about wine’s cultural value often falls short in today’s environment.

Despite these challenges, Planeta sees significant opportunities for Sicilian wine. He noted that Sicily is home to Italy’s most sustainable vineyards and a diverse range of grape varieties that appeal to modern consumers. The region’s growing tourism industry is also helping to raise the profile of Sicilian wines internationally. According to Planeta, more visitors are discovering Sicily through its wines, which strengthens both local identity and global recognition.

Planeta stressed the importance of unity among Sicily’s wine producers, from large estates to cooperative wineries. He said that the Consorzio will work to ensure all voices are represented as part of a coordinated effort to promote Sicilian wine as a benchmark for quality and authenticity.

Alessio Planeta was born in 1966 and holds a degree in Agricultural Sciences. He has led Planeta winery since 1991 and previously served as president of Assovini Sicilia from 2017 to 2020. His contributions have been recognized with several awards, including “Winemaker of the Year” at Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards in 2023 and “Wine Family of the Year” at the Meininger Awards in 2024. Under his leadership, the Planeta brand reached 30th place in The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands ranking.

The Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Sicilia was established in 2012 to represent Sicilian wine producers and promote the DOC Sicilia designation. It includes nearly 8,000 winegrowers and about 500 bottlers. Sicily accounts for 30% of Italy’s organic vineyard area and has more than 42,000 hectares under vine. The region leads Italy in sustainable viticulture practices, both organic and integrated.

Planeta takes on his new role at a time when Sicilian wine is gaining momentum on the world stage. The Consorzio aims to further develop strategies that will protect Sicily’s reputation while supporting innovation and growth across its diverse wine sector.