VITO CURATOLO
In 1875, Vito Curatolo founded the “Vito Curatolo Arini” winery in his vineyards in the Sappusi area, adding his mother’s surname to his own in the company name.
Having been trading his own wine as a private producer for years, when he decided to start producing “Marsala” wine he made sure to create an efficient business structure. In 1876, he hired Martin Schuvabenthan as his collaborator. Schuvabenthan, originally from Switzerland, had extensive business experience and spoke multiple languages, which would help with international sales.
As part of his business expansion plan he called on another Swiss collaborator, Ernest Kappler, who stayed with the company until 1920, and a German, Ugo Loefler, who stayed on until his death (1925). Their work contributed to securing new important markets in Switzerland and Germany, and at a later stage also in Brazil and Argentina.
The facilities, initially just a small warehouse, were extended and became a well-equipped complex. In 1890, the business started to expand internationally and became one of the first Sicilian companies to export to Europe, the United States, and South America.
After Vito Curatolo’s death (1896), his wife Rosa tenaciously continued his work and when she died, in 1913, their children Francesco, Vito, Leonardo, and Giuseppe took over the business with increasing success both in terms of wine quality and expansion to new markets.
In the early 1900s, “Vito Curatolo Arini” was one of the first companies to export to the United States and at the Chicago Expo (1902) it received gratifying awards for the excellent quality of its “Marsala” wines.
In 1950, the company’s expansion continued with the addition of a bottling plant based in Friendberg, Assia (Frankfurt), to support wine sales and distribution in Germany. It was managed by the company “Società Sicilia G.M.H.”, which included the companies Ricasoli, Bergamo, and René Briand.
Today, Vito Curatolo’s vision is followed with the same passion by his direct descendants, who produce “Marsala” wines such as “Marsala Superiore Riserva 10 anni”; “Marsala Riserva Storica 20 anni”; “Marsala Vergine Riserva 1995”; “Marsala Superiore Dolce 5 anni”; “Marsala Superiore Secco 5 anni”.