Born near Lucca, Italy, where his family raised chickens and produced prosciutto and cheese, he makes his own wine, honey, olive oil and tomato sauce, available for sale at julianoftheseasons.com.

WSJ: Julian Niccolini

Produced on the island for centuries from sun-dried Zibbibo grapes, the lush dessert wine sings of terroir: of peaches, figs, honey and the Pantescan sea, soil and sun.

WSJ: The Produce-Packed Cuisine of Pantelleria

But it had the characteristic pear, apple and honey flavors of his beloved Loire Chenin, and it was the first wine he'd tasted since his capture some two years before.

WSJ: Singing of France's Unsung Chenin Blanc | On Wine by Jay McInerney