Etna

Mt. Etna, situated in the North-East part of Sicily, is the tallest active volcano in Europe. It reaches the height of 3,329 metres and it has a total vineyard surface area of 3,000 hectares. The Etna DOC vineyards, mainly located between 400 and 1000 m a.s.l., are characterized by high temperature variations between the day and the night, which can exceed 30° C during the summer. The characteristic elements that made Etna unique in the past remain unchanged today: small irregular plots, terraces with dry built lava stone walls, elegant mansions and “palmenti”. The Viticulture is also distinguished by biodiversity with unique and native grape varieties such as Carricante and Nerello Mascalese.

map

Monte Rosso - 1329 AD

Monte Rosso (600 m a.s.l. on the SE side), whose name derives from the typical red colour of the soil, is a volcanic cone formed during one of the most impressive and extensive eruptions of Etna on 15th July 1329. Today, the centuries-old ungrafted vineyards on the slopes and within the extinct crater are still planted with the “Alberello” (Bush) training system with the classic stake in chestnut, as in the best tradition of Etna. The South-East exposure makes this area particularly sunny and the typical lava stone terraces help to take advantage of the special microclimate. The influence of the sea breeze, because of the proximity to the coast, together with the considerable rainfall (800 mm per year - October/March), the altitude and the volcanic soil, give to the wines an intense and unique character.

Monte Roso