The Mandrarossa Literary Prize – The Sicily You Don’t Expect is born from the encounter between the world of wine and literature, celebrating the deep connection between storytelling and territory. Promoted by the renowned Mandrarossa winery in Menfi, in the heart of Sicily, the prize aims to offer a new perspective on the region, going beyond stereotypes and highlighting the island’s cultural and scenic richness.
The goal of the Mandrarossa Prize is not only to reward literary excellence but also to narrate a surprising and authentic Sicily, made of unexpected landscapes and intense stories. The competition is open to novels by Italian authors published between April 2024 and March 2025, providing a platform for contemporary literature. A distinctive element of this initiative is the involvement of independent bookstores across Italy, which select the participating works, thus contributing to the enhancement of the Italian literary scene.
To emphasize its connection with the world of wine, the Mandrarossa Prize divides the works into different categories, each inspired by a wine label: Cava di Serpe – for crime novels, Bertolino Soprano – dedicated to fairy tales, Urra di Mare – for books about the environment, sustainability, and landscape, Cala Mossa – reserved for debut works, and Cartagho – the section dedicated to historical novels.
The works will be evaluated by a jury composed of experts in the field, chaired by journalist and writer Aldo Cazzullo, alongside distinguished intellectuals and scholars. The award ceremony will take place on June 28, 2025, in a location of extraordinary beauty: the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. To pay tribute to culture in all its forms, the following day, the audience will have the opportunity 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 literary competition, the Mandrarossa Prize represents a unique cultural experience, a journey through wine, words, and traditions. Every glass tells a story, and every story deserves to be narrated with passion and authenticity. With this prize, Mandrarossa invites readers, writers, and culture lovers to discover a new Sicily—one of emotions, storytelling, and intense flavors. An initiative that celebrates the beauty of a timeless island, bridging past and future, deep roots and unexplored horizons.
