ETNA

The altitude varies between 730 and 750 metres a.s.l.; the sandy volcanic soil has a mildly acidic-neutral pH and good organic content. Deep and rich in minerals, volcanic soil permits strong root expansion.

The vineyards are cultivated on terraces. “Alberello” head-trained bush or Vertical Shoot Positioning training with spurred cordon pruning. The density is around 4500 plants per hectare with a yield of 4500-6500 kg per hectare.

At these altitudes the continental climate meets the Sicilian sun to create unique climatic conditions: rain and snow in the autumn and winter, mild temperatures in the spring, and summers with strong temperature variations give the wines of this land a distinctively fresh aroma.

Etna’s viticulture is characterised by traditional forms of training such as the Etna “alberello” head-trained bush practice, with some vineyards over 80 years old. The interaction between the soils, microclimate and grape varieties, skilfully overseen by man, produces grapes with unique qualities and wines that stand out for their minerality and elegance.

Etna’s eruptions produce “sciare”, accumulations of lava which, following long physical and chemical processes, create the sandy soils found on the volcano’s slopes. Every “sciara”, or lava trail, produced at different times in history, gives the soil a particular composition: a footprint that makes the wine of this micro territory totally unique.

The two cru, Fragore Contrada Montelaguardia and Contrada Marchesa Etna Rosso DOC, are rooted in extremely ancient lava flows: the vineyards of Contrada Montelaguardia sit on top of a “sciara” – a lava trail – dating to the 17th century, while the two hectares of Contrada Marchesa grow on lava trails dating back thousands of years. The two Iconic Wines of Etna exude all the elegance and power of the volcano.

On Etna we are restoring the original training methods used in some old vineyards where the Etna “alberello” head-trained bush practice was replaced by the spurred cordon method: a commitment to restoring and preserving resilient agricultural practices.

UN 2030 Agenda. Goal 2 – Zero hunger

In particularly valuable vineyards we replace unproductive plants with new plants: this enables us to maintain the particular vegetable production equilibrium of the vineyard and to produce wines of exceptional balance, harmony and personality.

UN 2030 Agenda. Goal 15 – Life on land

Carricante is an ancient white grape variety grown on the slopes of Mount Etna. It produces elegant whites of notable minerality. Bunches are medium-sized and the grapes have a green-yellow skin. Carricante is typically a straw yellow colour with greenish tints. On the nose it is elegant with fresh notes of white fruit, herbs, flint and citrus fruit

Nerello Cappuccio is a black grape variety which is blended with Nerello Mascalese to make the Etna Rosso DOC. It comes in medium-length conical bunches and the grapes are spherical and blue-black in colour. The wine is an intense red colour, has a floral and fruity bouquet, and stands out for its forest fruit and vegetal notes, with a hint of spice. Structured on the palate

Nerello Cappuccio is a black grape variety. The strong plant density and low grape yield per plant help to produce wines of genuine sophistication and class. The unique terroir of the volcano creates its finest versions, under the designation Etna DOC.