Sicily’s most exciting growers

Young Spanish winemaking talent Eduardo Torres is starting to create a name for himself on the impressive vineyards of Mount Etna. This Nerello Mascalese is planted at 850 metres altitude in the Pirrera Contrada, that had been abandoned for a number of years. Eduardo has painstakingly been restoring the vineyard to its true potential. Expect brambles and garrigue notes as well as cranberry and wild strawberry aromas. Violets and liquorice spice are supported but chalky tannins and zesty acidty.

This exciting project is set on Mount Etna and Spanish winemaking talent Eduardo Torres is only just getting started. Versante Nord comes from two parcels (Pietramarina and Crasa) totalling only 1.5 hectares and most importantly are planted on the cooler, north-facing side of Etna at 750 metres. The vines are from 45-80 years old and are made up of Nerello Mascalese as well as field blend mix of Nerello Cappuccio, Alicante Bouchet and Grenache. Expect bright red berry fruits as well as blood orange and hints of black pepper and sumac spice. The tannins are incredibly fine grained and the acidity is fresh and lively.

A winery in its infancy, SRC (named after the initials of the Parasiliti family) is an exciting project based on Etna with just under 10 hectares that are farmed sustainably and biodynamically. Northern slopes of Etna in the Calderara Sottana Contrada enable Rori, the owner and winemaker to maintain freshness in the wine. Carricante (80%) and Grecanico (20%) grapes that are planted at altitude on volcanic soils. Expect orange peel, citrus and wild herbs that are underpinned by a crisp and salty palate. This white has generosity as well as minerality to create a harmonious balance.

A winery in its infancy, SRC (named after the initials of the Parasiliti family) is an exciting project based on Etna with just under 10 hectares that are farmed sustainably and biodynamically. Northern slopes of Etna in the Calderara Sottana Contrada enable Rori, the owner and winemaker to maintain freshness in the wine. The Nerello Mascalese is 100% destemmed and is vinified exclusively in cement which provides great purity and a herbal character. Ripe red cherry fruits combined with cranberries and graphite notes. The tannins are chalky and well knitted into the wine’s core.

Barone Villagrande is situated in the Contrada of Villagrande in Milo on the cooler eastern slopes of Etna. It has been in the Nicolosi family for over 300 years, who were instrumental in getting Etna established as DOC status. The Etna Bianco is floral with pear, white peach and lemon verbena aromas. The palate is saline and mineral, a nod to the volcanic soils of Mount Etna.

Barone Villagrande is situated in the Contrada of Villagrande in Milo on the cooler eastern slopes of Etna. It has been in the Nicolosi family for over 300 years, who were instrumental in getting Etna established as DOC status. This Nerello Mascalese has a silky core and displays attractive red berry and red plum fruits combined with hints of liquorice and graphite.

Barone Villagrande is situated in the Contrada of Villagrande in Milo on the cooler eastern slopes of Etna. It has been in the Nicolosi family for over 300 years, who were instrumental in getting Etna established as DOC status. The Contrada Villagrande white is concentrated with lots of depth and intrigue. There is a waxiness on the palate with honey blossom, fleshy peach and fresh apricot notes. The core has a density to it, yet the acidity is wonderfully refreshing and nervy.

Alberto Graci returned from a career in banking in Milan to his native Sicily in 2004, convinced of the quality of the region and its true potential. High altitude plots, older vines, indigenous grapes on the northern slopes of Etna have been the estate’s focus. The Nerello has violet perfume with red cherries, wild strawberries and liquorice spice. Tannins are so fine and well integrated and the acidity is energetic, delicious.

This Nerello comes from a special 1.5 hectare parcel in the Acuria Contrada, Sopra il Pozzo (“above the well”) that is dominated by volcanic sand and layers of stone named locally as "Rifusa". Following various soil studies by Alberto Graci, this plot was seen as being able to offer a unique expression of the terroir and grape. A wine that is only produced in exceptional vintages. The wine is layered with red berries and spice, with hints of smoke and wild flowers. The palate is gloriously fresh and vibrant.