Grape variety: Nerello Mascalese 90%, Nerello Cappuccio 10%.
Denomination: Etna Doc.
Soil, altitude and location: The vineyard is located in the Northern slope of the Volcano, within the town-limits of Castiglione di Sicilia, at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level. The soils are volcanic, composed mainly of sand, and some gravel. The Contrada is distinctive in that 10% of the soil is composed of clay and limestone, which comes from the nearby Alcantara river.
Year of implantation and training system: The vineyard is planted in 1970, trained in counter-espalier system, and pruned in spurred cordon.
Harvest and fermentation: Manual harvest in the early morning and delivery to the cellar
in 10 kg crates. After destemming, the grapes ferment in stainless steel tanks.
During maceration, which lasts 10-12 days, daily breaking up of the marc are carried out by punching down.
After racking, malolactic fermentation is carried out in oak with indigenous lactic bacteria.
Maturation: The wine is aged for 12 months in both French oak tonneaux and
oak vat, and then for another 6 months in concrete tanks.
After an additional 6 months in bottle, the wine is ready for release.
