i. Biography
His stated aim is direct, but it defines the method: “The whole idea was to create wines that are a pure expression of the terroir, the territory, the tradition and the grape variety.” For Stefano Girelli, that means working with restraint, so the vineyard’s character stays legible in the glass and the wine does not get buried under handling.
The Climb
Today, Stefano Girelli is the owner of Feudo di Santa Tresa since 2001, the owner of Cortese since 2005, and co-owner of The Wine People. Taken together, those roles show a career built on continuity rather than display, with responsibility accumulating across sites and businesses over time. The through-line is attention to place, variety, and the decisions that keep a wine anchored to what it is. Feudo di Santa Tresa since 2001 anchors one part of that work, a long-held estate that points to durability in the field. Cortese since 2005 adds another layer, reinforcing a career defined by sustained stewardship. As co-owner of The Wine People, Girelli also sits within the commercial side of wine, where production, direction, and identity have to stay aligned.
Today
Girelli remains owner of Cortese, held from 2005 to the present. His view of production is plain and specific: “I'm not a wood producer, I'm a wine producer.” The point is clear. Oak is not the subject; wine is. That keeps the emphasis on balance, on using materials in service of the bottle rather than as decoration around it. That logic matches the principle that has shaped his work from the start. In Girelli’s terms, wine production means leaving room for grape, land, and tradition to remain visible in the finished result. The aim is fidelity, not embellishment.
Signature
Stefano's signature wines include Avulisi, Boscopiano, and Cortese Catarratto Lucido. Those names sit close to place and varietal identity, which is consistent with the framework he describes for his work. Read together, they point to a style built on clarity, expression, and origin.
In Their Words “The whole idea was to create wines that are a pure expression of the terroir, the territory, the tradition and the grape variety.” “I'm not a wood producer, I'm a wine producer.”
Profile updated August 2026
FAQ
Asked of Stefano
What are Stefano Girelli's most notable roles?
His notable role is owner of Cortese.
Where does Stefano Girelli work?
Owner at Cortese.
Where is Cortese based?
Vittoria, Italy.
Where else has Stefano Girelli worked?
Cortese in Sicily, Italy.