{"title":"Sicily","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"2021-azienda-agricola-cos-pithos-rosso-vittoria-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Azienda Agricola COS \"Pithos Rosso\" Vittoria Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is sourced from estate vineyards in the hamlet of Bastonica in the Vittoria area.Vines grown on red soil of medium consistency; made up of subalpine sands composed of limestone and silica.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll fruit is hand-harvested. Vines average 25 years of age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the winery, the wine sees spontaneous fermentation on the skins in concrete tanks for 10-15 days with indigenous yeast in amphorae.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAged for seven months in amphorae followed by 2-3 months in concrete tanks. Finally three months in the bottle before release.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePithos is the Greek word for amphora.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiusto Occhipinti of COS is a benchmark producer in the Vittoria appellation of Sicily, and certainly one of the most important, influential, producers in all of Sicily if not Italy as a whole. The winery was founded in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The initials of their last names form the winery’s name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery itself dates back to the 1880’s during a period in which there was huge demand for Sicilian wines. Phylloxera had already devastated many of the world’s top wine growing regions but it had not yet reached the island. Sicily has a long history of winemaking, dating back to the 8th century BCE when the Greeks first planted grapes in the eastern part of the Island. It is only more recently though that true top quality wines and winemaking have arrived there. It was through the hard work and dedication of producers such as COS who showed the potential of Sicily’s terroir and drew attention to the island, especially its ability to produce complex, pure and fresh wines, despite its location at the very southern tip of Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis freshness and balance are helped by the soils in the Vittoria region which are blessed with limestone substrates under 1-2 feet of red clay. For Giusto, “the vineyard is like our life’s savings in the bank, so we must protect it.” Protecting it means that they work organically and biodynamically in order to support the health of the soil. In fact, they have never used any synthetic or chemical additives in the vineyard since the outset in 1980. Officially, the winery was an early practitioner of Biodynamic viticulture starting in 2000, and were certified (Organic) as of 2007. The climate of Vittoria is also generally warm and dry making it well-adapted to organic \u0026amp; biodynamic viticulture. Giusto and his vineyard team also prepare many of the Biodynamic treatments in house, though a few are purchased elsewhere from small, reputable sources for these important products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a goal, Giusto seeks to have the transparency of the soil conveyed into the wines themselves. To that end, he did extensive research on aging vessels and eventually decided on a combination of 440-liter clay amphorae sourced from Spain along with a collection of large neutral botti and also concrete tanks (latter mostly for the Frappato). The clay is porous like oak but has the advantage that it imparts less flavor to the wine than does even large, old casks. All aging at the winery is done in one of these vessels. Stainless steel is only used for assembling the wine prior to bottling. For many of the wines, the juice remains in contact with the skins for extended periods, even for whites. Giusto feels these extended macerations help the wine obtain natural preservatives which in turn allows them do the aging and élévage with little or no added Sulphur until the bottling when there is only a small addition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the wines, COS is probably best known for their Cerasuolo di Vittorio, but also equally for their Pithos Rosso which is basically a Cerasuolo di Vittoria aged exclusively in amphora instead of oak. He also makes a single-vineyard Cerasuolo from his top cru, called Della Fontana. On the white side, they are also known for their Pithos Bianco, made from the Grecanico grape, a local variety of Garganega (of Soave fame), aged and fermented in amphora. Throughout the entire range there is a focus on elegance and purity, especially the joyous, floral Frappato – Sicily’s answer to Cru Beaujolais – and the spicy, fruit-forward Nero di Lupo (Nero D’Avola).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"COS","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333192798497,"sku":"P-11453","price":48.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/5_82d77f3a-9edf-435a-9a15-572aec4a7417.png?v=1774910515"},{"product_id":"2017-graci-etna-rosso-sicily","title":"2017 Graci Etna Rosso, Sicily","description":"\u003cp\u003ePlanted on an active volcano, grapes grown on Mt Etna have a unique mineraltity because of the volcanic soils. The Graci Rosso is made with Nerello Mascalese, a native Sicilian grape that is often compared to Pinot Noir. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Graci","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333194404129,"sku":"P-9838","price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/graci-etna-rosso.png?v=1692037628"},{"product_id":"2015-riofavara-spaccaforno-nero-davola-eloro-sicil","title":"2015 Riofavara “Spaccaforno” Nero d’Avola Eloro, Sicily","description":"\u003cp\u003eArguably Sicily’s greatest native grape: Nero d’Avola. In the white soils of the Eloro appellation, near Ispica, the combination of copious sunshine, cooling coastal breezes, and water reserves deep in the bedrock provides Nero d’Avola with power,nuance, and superbly refreshing acidity.    \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Riofavara","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333195714849,"sku":"P-11123","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/riofavara.png?v=1692037631"},{"product_id":"2016-tasca-dalmerita-perricone-guarnaccio-sicily","title":"2016 Tasca D'Almerita, Perricone Guarnaccio, Sicily","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Regaleali estate is at the heart of the family’s wine production, and also serves as an escape from the bustle of the coastal capital of Palermo. In addition to the wines, the estate is practically self sufficient, producing most of the vegetables, fruits, wheat, olives, cheeses and meats they need. This inspired Marchesa Anna Tasca Lanza, Count Lucio’s sister, to establish a culinary school, considered one of the best in Italy today. The school has inspired culinary professionals from around the world, including Julia Child and Alice Waters. The Perricone \"Guarnaccio\" by Tasca d'Almerita is a red wine characterized by a powerful personality, large structure from satisfactory drink. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tasca d'Almerita","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333195911457,"sku":"P-11130","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/p1170670.png?v=1692037632"},{"product_id":"2016-tornatore-etna-rosso-sicily","title":"2016 Tornatore Etna Rosso - Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe beginning of the cultivation of the vine, with the production of wine, by the Tornatore Family dates back to 1865 when the great-grandfather of the current owner embarks on the agricultural activity. In 1910 Giuseppe, the current owner's grandfather, built a house with annexed millstone in Contrada Piano Fiera with adjacent 2 hectares of vineyard to which two more were added on the north side of Etna in the Piano Felci area at 1,000 meters above sea level. has always had a detailed knowledge of the territories of the town of Castiglione di Sicilia since the grandfather Giuseppe and uncle Giovanni were appointed cadastral indicators in the early 30s, accompanying the surveyor to detect particles, to define borders and names of districts. The construction of an oil mill annexed to the millstone dates back to that period, which was active in the various technological evolutions until the 1970s. A family, therefore, with deep roots in the territory of origin, which in subsequent generations has never neglected the attachment and respect of the same and of the traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tornatore","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333203251489,"sku":"210000010242","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/IMG_0014_fefab394-d351-49be-bad8-52d31fddee93.png?v=1692037658"},{"product_id":"2018-azienda-agricolo-cos-zibibbo-in-phithos-igp-s","title":"2022 Azienda Agricola COS Zibibbo in Pithos IGP, Sicily, Italy","description":"","brand":"Azienda Agricolo COS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333210820897,"sku":"210000010303","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/p1170749.png?v=1692037674"},{"product_id":"azienda-agricola-cos-cerasuolo-di-vittoria-si","title":"2022 Azienda Agricola COS Cerasuolo Di Vittoria, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA blend of 60% Nero d’Avola, 40% Frappato that is grown in red soil of medium consistency made up of subalpine sands composed of limestone and silica; 300 meters in elevation; flat exposition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fruit is hand-harvested from 25-year-old (avg) vines; spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks on the skins with indigenous yeast; aged in Slavonian oak Botti for 18 months followed by one year in the bottle before release; organic certified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree friends founded Azienda Agricola COS, in 1980: Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti. The acronym of their last names is where the name for the winery – COS – comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1980, they were the youngest wine producers in Italy. They received an old family winery from Giambattista Cilia’s father Giuseppe Cilia and the nearby vineyard of bush trained vines, a total of 3.60.40 hectares in the famed town of Bastonaca. On October 5, 1980 they harvested their first vintage and made 1,470 bottles. COS began its adventure that would one day lead to the transformation of Cerasuolo di Vittoria. The winery follows the principles of biodynamic faming in order to help the vines find and maintain a balance with nature in order to be able to express their true character and that of their terroir. For vinification, they decided to use terracotta vases that left no traces or aromas on the wine but were completely neutral vessels. In 2000, Pithos was born, a Cerasuolo di Vittoria that ferments and ages in amphora. They finished working on a building in Fontane, which in 2003 became the headquarters of the winery. In 2005, they made the first wine that bore the Denominazione d’Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.) designation, the only one in Sicily. The harvest of 2007 saw the winery in a new location and was the beginning of use of only amphora. The winery got rid of the barrels that they had and use only 150 amphoras’, one of the largest of its kind. Today COS is associated not only with the success of Cerasuolo di Vittoria but also with rigor and quality. It’s thanks to these three friends that the region of Cerasuolo di Vittoria was reborn and the area around Vittoria is thriving with its extraordinary wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"COS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333226254625,"sku":"P-5198","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/IMG_0047_eda2e53e-8062-4d8a-9d47-c20ed6ea6ffe.png?v=1692037727"},{"product_id":"occhipinti-frappato-sicily-italy","title":"2023 Occhipinti \"Il Frappato\", Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vines are organically and biodynamically farmed and harvested by hand. The fruit is destemmed but the grapes left whole for crushing; fermentation is with native yeasts in concrete tank with a 30-day maceration. The wine is first aged for 8 months in 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak botti and for another 8 months in concrete tank, before being bottled unfiltered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOcchipinti is located in Vittoria, in the southwestern corner of Sicily, and winemaker Arianna Occhipinti’s reputation seems to grow with every vintage. Her first vintage was 2004, though it wasn’t until 2005 that her wines were internationally distributed. Arianna has a total of 10 hectares of Nero d’Avola and Frappato vines that, since April of 2009, have been farmed using biodynamic methods, which she believes has added to the overall expression of the soil. The grapes, planted largely on chalky soils, are trained using albarello or guyot and are left to vigorously grow leaves so as to maintain freshness. Fermentation for Frappato takes place in stainless steel while the Nero d’Avola is fermented in large plastic tubs though her goal is to eventually ferment everything in cement. Maceration for the Nero d’Avola is 30-40 days and longer for the Frappato.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the monovarietal wines, Arianna makes a blend of Nero and Frappato called SP68. Named for the road going past her house, the wine is made like a Cerasuolo but is labelled as IGT Sicilia as Arianna does not always want to age the wine for the minimum 18 months in barrel required by the authorities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Occhipinti","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333227434273,"sku":"P-10504","price":56.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/img-0021_fa2b3144-5d4e-454f-82c6-d407bb12c9a9.png?v=1692037732"},{"product_id":"occhipinti-sp-68-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2024 Occhipinti \"SP68\" Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vines are organically farmed and hand-harvested. The fruit is mainly destemmed (4% stem inclusion in the upcoming 2017 vintage) and co-fermented with native yeasts in concrete tanks and with a two-week skin maceration. The wine is aged in concrete tank for 8 months and bottled unfiltered. The wine is named \"SP68\" for the road near Arianna's home vineyard in Vittoria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOcchipinti is located in Vittoria, in the southwestern corner of Sicily, and winemaker Arianna Occhipinti’s reputation seems to grow with every vintage. Her first vintage was 2004, though it wasn’t until 2005 that her wines were internationally distributed. Arianna has a total of 10 hectares of Nero d’Avola and Frappato vines that, since April of 2009, have been farmed using biodynamic methods, which she believes has added to the overall expression of the soil. The grapes, planted largely on chalky soils, are trained using albarello or guyot and are left to vigorously grow leaves so as to maintain freshness. Fermentation for Frappato takes place in stainless steel while the Nero d’Avola is fermented in large plastic tubs though her goal is to eventually ferment everything in cement. Maceration for the Nero d’Avola is 30-40 days and longer for the Frappato.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the monovarietal wines, Arianna makes a blend of Nero and Frappato called SP68. Named for the road going past her house, the wine is made like a Cerasuolo but is labelled as IGT Sicilia as Arianna does not always want to age the wine for the minimum 18 months in barrel required by the authorities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Occhipinti","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333228679457,"sku":"P-10503","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/IMG_0016_7c298348-0a64-4123-b078-94b3383fee15.png?v=1692037738"},{"product_id":"azienda-agricola-cos-frappato-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Azienda Agricola COS Sicilia IGT Frappato, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis wine is fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. The wine spends nine months in concrete vats followed by three months in the bottle before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiusto Occhipinti of COS is a benchmark producer in the Vittoria appellation of Sicily, and certainly one of the most important, influential, producers in all of Sicily if not Italy as a whole. The winery was founded in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano. The initials of their last names form the winery’s name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery itself dates back to the 1880’s during a period in which there was huge demand for Sicilian wines. Phylloxera had already devastated many of the world’s top wine growing regions but it had not yet reached the island. Sicily has a long history of winemaking, dating back to the 8th century BCE when the Greeks first planted grapes in the eastern part of the Island. It is only more recently though that true top quality wines and winemaking have arrived there. It was through the hard work and dedication of producers such as COS who showed the potential of Sicily’s terroir and drew attention to the island, especially its ability to produce complex, pure and fresh wines, despite its location at the very southern tip of Italy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis freshness and balance are helped by the soils in the Vittoria region which are blessed with limestone substrates under 1-2 feet of red clay. For Giusto, “the vineyard is like our life’s savings in the bank, so we must protect it.” Protecting it means that they work organically and biodynamically in order to support the health of the soil. In fact, they have never used any synthetic or chemical additives in the vineyard since the outset in 1980. Officially, the winery was an early practitioner of Biodynamic viticulture starting in 2000, and were certified (Organic) as of 2007. The climate of Vittoria is also generally warm and dry making it well-adapted to organic \u0026amp; biodynamic viticulture. Giusto and his vineyard team also prepare many of the Biodynamic treatments in house.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Azienda Agricola","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333245620513,"sku":"P-10369","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/img-2758.png?v=1692037782"},{"product_id":"2017-agricola-cos-maldafrica-terre-siciliane-sicil","title":"2018 Azienda Agricola COS \"Maldafrica\" Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend of 50%  Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines that are 25 years of age. The fruit is hand-harvested and fermentation takes place spontaneously in terracotta amphorae, on the skins with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged in Slavonian barrels and bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree friends founded Azienda Agricola COS, in 1980: Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti. The acronym of their last names is where the name for the winery – COS – comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1980, they were the youngest wine producers in Italy. They received an old family winery from Giambattista Cilia’s father Giuseppe Cilia and the nearby vineyard of bush trained vines, a total of 3.60.40 hectares in the famed town of Bastonaca. On October 5, 1980 they harvested their first vintage and made 1,470 bottles. COS began its adventure that would one day lead to the transformation of Cerasuolo di Vittoria. The winery follows the principles of biodynamic faming in order to help the vines find and maintain a balance with nature in order to be able to express their true character and that of their terroir. For vinification, they decided to use terracotta vases that left no traces or aromas on the wine but were completely neutral vessels. In 2000, Pithos was born, a Cerasuolo di Vittoria that ferments and ages in amphora. They finished working on a building in Fontane, which in 2003 became the headquarters of the winery. In 2005, they made the first wine that bore the Denominazione d’Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.) designation, the only one in Sicily. The harvest of 2007 saw the winery in a new location and was the beginning of use of only amphora. The winery got rid of the barrels that they had and use only 150 amphoras’, one of the largest of its kind. Today COS is associated not only with the success of Cerasuolo di Vittoria but also with rigor and quality. It’s thanks to these three friends that the region of Cerasuolo di Vittoria was reborn and the area around Vittoria is thriving with its extraordinary wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Azienda Agricola COS","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333305815329,"sku":"210000011459","price":48.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/img-0039.png?v=1692038065"},{"product_id":"vino-scirto-don-pippinu-carricante-sicily-ita","title":"2017 Vini Scirto \"Don Pippinu\" Carricante, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Don Pippinu” bianco, so named after Giuseppe’s grandfather, comes from a collection of vineyards growing at 600-1000 meters above sea level on deep volcanic soils, lending more structure and ageability to the wine. These sites are composed of old vines averaging 60 years in age, and among these are several white varieties. While carricante always makes up the vast majority of the “Don Pippinu” bianco, small percentages of minnella bianca, catarratto and grecanico are also harvested and included in the fermentation. Grapes are fermented by native yeasts with 3-5 days of maceration before a stainless steel elevage of 10 to 12 months. No fining or filtration takes place for this wine, and no sulfur is added prior to bottling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards Giuseppe and Valeria work today belonged to Giuseppe’s grandparents, who produced bulk wine, “as everybody was doing on Etna until about 20 years ago,” Giuseppe points out. When Giuseppe’s grandfather, Don Pippinu, died in 2005, it was at a time when small vineyard owners on Etna had begun to sell off their holdings. “Ours were particularly requested because they are in a highly valued area. But I was very close to the vineyards because from a young age, I spent all my summers there together with my grandfather. Walking in those vineyards, I revived a memory. I could never sell to others the sacrifices of my grandfather, also because no price could repay a bond like that between me and him.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“In 2009, we started to work the vineyards. 2010 was our first vintage. The idea from the first day was to work the vines and make the wine just like Grandpa did: with minimum intervention and zero chemistry. We did not study enology. Perhaps our own ‘ignorance’ initially allowed us to make this choice. Having a great passion, being connected with many other producers, and being self-educated has helped us to know more deeply the vines and the wine. In the vineyard and in the cellar, we work, just the two of us.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vino Scirto","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333314040097,"sku":"210000011590","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/img-2184.png?v=1692038082"},{"product_id":"occhipinti-sp68-bianco","title":"2022 Occhipinti \"SP68\" Bianco, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e60% Zibibbo\/40% Albanello. The two varieties are native to Sicily--Zibibbo is more widely known as Muscat of Alexandria--and are grown on red sand soils over limestone rock, with vines averaging 15 years old on several different estate sites. The vines are organically farmed and hand-harvested. The fruit is destemmed and co-fermented with native yeasts in concrete tanks and with a two-week skin maceration. The wine is aged in concrete tank for 8 months and bottled unfiltered. The wine is named \"SP68\" for the road near Arianna's home vineyard in Vittoria.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOcchipinti is located in Vittoria, in the southwestern corner of Sicily, and winemaker Arianna Occhipinti’s reputation seems to grow with every vintage. Her first vintage was 2004, though it wasn’t until 2005 that her wines were internationally distributed. Arianna has a total of 10 hectares of Nero d’Avola and Frappato vines that, since April of 2009, have been farmed using biodynamic methods, which she believes has added to the overall expression of the soil. The grapes, planted largely on chalky soils, are trained using albarello or guyot and are left to vigorously grow leaves so as to maintain freshness. Fermentation for Frappato takes place in stainless steel while the Nero d’Avola is fermented in large plastic tubs though her goal is to eventually ferment everything in cement. Maceration for the Nero d’Avola is 30-40 days and longer for the Frappato.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the monovarietal wines, Arianna makes a blend of Nero and Frappato called SP68. Named for the road going past her house, the wine is made like a Cerasuolo but is labelled as IGT Sicilia as Arianna does not always want to age the wine for the minimum 18 months in barrel required by the authorities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Occhipinti","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333354049825,"sku":"P-6578","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/IMG_0017_46789ea2-e355-4adf-8c38-4c544df3275c.png?v=1692038543"},{"product_id":"2018-tornatore-etna-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2020 Tornatore Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHarvest came between the 2nd and 3rd week of October. After the grapes are harvested by hand in small crates they are quickly brought to the winery where they are manually selected on a belt-conveyor. Then they are destemmed and not completely crushed, and sent to concrete tanks, where they macerate for about 10\/12 days at a temperature of 22\/25 °C. After fermentation, the grapes are left to macerate for a few days more, then wine is separated from grape skins, which are pressed with the traditional vertical press. Aging takes place for about 6 months into big wooden barrels and 3 months in bottle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe beginning of the cultivation of the vine, with the production of wine, by the Tornatore Family dates back to 1865 when the great-grandfather of the current owner embarks on the agricultural activity. In 1910 Giuseppe, the current owner's grandfather, built a house with annexed millstone in Contrada Piano Fiera with adjacent 2 hectares of vineyard to which two more were added on the north side of Etna in the Piano Felci area at 1,000 meters above sea level. has always had a detailed knowledge of the territories of the town of Castiglione di Sicilia since the grandfather Giuseppe and uncle Giovanni were appointed cadastral indicators in the early 30s, accompanying the surveyor to detect particles, to define borders and names of districts. The construction of an oil mill annexed to the millstone dates back to that period, which was active in the various technological evolutions until the 1970s. A family, therefore, with deep roots in the territory of origin, which in subsequent generations has never neglected the attachment and respect of the same and of the traditions.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tornatore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333354279201,"sku":"210000012505","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/IMG_0037_82b96e06-d7cf-4613-ab8c-3312a288cfce.png?v=1702954091"},{"product_id":"girolamo-russo-nerina-etna-bianco-sicily-ital","title":"2021 Girolamo Russo \"Nerina\" Etna Bianco, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe vines grown in the Etna Bianco DOC are a blend of 70% Carricante with the remaining 30% a blend of Catarratto, Inzolia, Grecanico, Minnella. Farming is certified organic and the grapes used for this particular blend have a varying degrees of age with plantings starting from 1924, 1964 and 2016. The typical harvest time is the first week of October. Maceration and fermentation are controlled by low temperature fermentation in 70% steel and 30% tonneaux with indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for 6 months in 70% steel and 30% tonneaux, on the lees. Production is at 5,800 bottles annually.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eGiuseppe Russo is a quiet thoughtful man, formerly a pianist. Since 2005 he has been organically farming his family's old vineyards, many of the vines around 100 years of age, and he is restoring the old cellar under his house. He has 15 hectares of vines on the North side of Etna around the town of Passopisciaro and sells off the fruit from the youngest vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eThe majority of Russo’s grapes goes toward the making his entry-level Etna Rosso, called a’Rina. While a’Rina is mostly from his younger vines, there is fruit from vines dating back over 100 years included in the blend.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIn addition to a’Rina, Giuseppe produces wines from three different crus, San Lorenzo, Feudo and Feudo di Mezzo. Giuseppe will tell you that the more generous examples come from Feudo, a 6 hectare site planted in the 1950’s. From San Lorenzo, 8 hectares planted around 1940, you get a wine with more structure and aging potential. Giuseppe began making wine from his third single vineyard, Feudo di Mezzo, a tiny, 1-hectare, in 2011. The parcel was planted between 1920 and 1940 makes a for a sleek, polished bottling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIn addition to his reds, Russo also makes an Etna Rosato from Nerello Mascalese and an Etna Bianco from Carricante, Catarratto and other local whites.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Girolamo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333358670113,"sku":"P-11461","price":50.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/IMG_0012_1_708ff6b4-8528-449c-8868-d0c6625223e9.png?v=1692038553"},{"product_id":"benanti-etna-bianco-sicily-italy","title":"2023 Benanti Etna Bianco, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Carricante, Etna’s noble indigenous white grape variety. The berry is medium-sized with very pruinose skin that is greenish-yellow in color. The bunches are of average length and scattered. The vines are grown on sandy, volcanic soils that are rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction. Plants range in age from 20 to 60 years and are trained in both “alberello” (head-trained bush) and spurred cordon systems, with densities of 6,000 to 7,000 vine stocks per hectare and yields of 7,000 to 8,000 kg\/ha. Vineyards vary in elevation from 700 m (c. 2,300 ft) to 950 m (c. 3,100 ft) a.s.l. The climate type ranges from high hill to mountain, with a humid and rainy cooler season, high ventilation and a significant diurnal range.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThe grapes are harvested by hand around mid-October, de-stemmed and soft-pressed. Fermentation lasts 12 days and takes place in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 18°C, with the aid of Benanti’s own indigenous yeast, which was selected from local vineyards through years of research and experimentation in the cellar. The wine then matures in stainless steel on the fine lees for a while and then refines in the bottle for 2-3 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, “an island within the island” of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. With vineyards positioned on four different slopes of the Etna volcano: North, East, South-East and South-West, the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a “sense of place.” Benanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 25 years at the helm of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012. Antonio and Salvino Benanti now lead the winery with the same vision and passion as their father, continuing the reputation as a very traditional producer and the pioneer of fine wine making on Mount Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333399597345,"sku":"210000013518","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/IMG_0110.png?v=1700145666"},{"product_id":"azienda-agricola-cos-rami-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Azienda Agricola COS \"Ramí\", Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrillo 50%, Inzolia 50%. Fermentation is spontaneous on the skins for 15 days with indigenous yeasts. The wine ages in concrete vats for nine months followed by three months in the bottle before release.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree friends founded Azienda Agricola COS, in 1980: Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti. The acronym of their last names is where the name for the winery – COS – comes from.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1980, they were the youngest wine producers in Italy. They received an old family winery from Giambattista Cilia’s father Giuseppe Cilia and the nearby vineyard of bush trained vines, a total of 3.60.40 hectares in the famed town of Bastonaca. On October 5, 1980 they harvested their first vintage and made 1,470 bottles. COS began its adventure that would one day lead to the transformation of Cerasuolo di Vittoria. The winery follows the principles of biodynamic faming in order to help the vines find and maintain a balance with nature in order to be able to express their true character and that of their terroir. For vinification, they decided to use terracotta vases that left no traces or aromas on the wine but were completely neutral vessels. In 2000, Pithos was born, a Cerasuolo di Vittoria that ferments and ages in amphora. They finished working on a building in Fontane, which in 2003 became the headquarters of the winery. In 2005, they made the first wine that bore the Denominazione d’Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.) designation, the only one in Sicily. The harvest of 2007 saw the winery in a new location and was the beginning of use of only amphora. The winery got rid of the barrels that they had and use only 150 amphoras’, one of the largest of its kind. Today COS is associated not only with the success of Cerasuolo di Vittoria but also with rigor and quality. It’s thanks to these three friends that the region of Cerasuolo di Vittoria was reborn and the area around Vittoria is thriving with its extraordinary wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Azienda Agricola","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333399662881,"sku":"P-8685","price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/img-3640.png?v=1692039056"},{"product_id":"benanti-etna-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Benanti Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two varieties, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, are vinified separately. Grapes are hand-picked in October, de-stemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation with maceration occurs at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, with indigenous yeasts selected in the vineyard by Benanti. About 80% of the Nerello Mascalese matures in stainless steel, while about 20% matures in oak barriques for 8-10 months. Nerello Cappuccio matures exclusively in stainless steel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, “an island within the island” of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. With vineyards positioned on four different slopes of the Etna volcano: North, East, South-East and South-West, the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a “sense of place.” Benanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 25 years at the helm of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012. Antonio and Salvino Benanti now lead the winery with the same vision and passion as their father, continuing the reputation as a very traditional producer and the pioneer of fine wine making on Mount Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333401170209,"sku":"210000013519","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/img-0005_892d5579-4afd-4188-94c5-b26ea3b223c4.png?v=1692039059"},{"product_id":"2020-girolamo-russo-nerina-etna-bianco-sicily-ital","title":"2020 Girolamo Russo \"Nerina\" Etna Bianco, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRusso’s ‘Nerina’ is a rich blend of 70% Carricante, and the rest being 30% Catarratto, Inzolia, Grecanico, and Minnella. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFarming is certified organic. The vines were planted in 1924, 1964 and 2016 at an altitude of 700 meters. The soils composure is volcanic which is typical of Mt. Etna. The fruit was harvested the first week of October.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eControlled low temperature fermentation in 70% steel and 30% tonneaux with indigenous yeasts Aging: 6 months in 70% steel and 30% tonneaux, on the lees \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGiuseppe Russo is a quiet thoughtful man, formerly a pianist. Since 2005 he has been organically farming his family's old vineyards, many of the vines around 100 years of age, and he is restoring the old cellar under his house. He has 15 hectares of vines on the North side of Etna around the town of Passopisciaro and sells off the fruit from the youngest vines.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe majority of Russo’s grapes goes toward the making his entry-level Etna Rosso, called a’Rina. While a’Rina is mostly from his younger vines, there is fruit from vines dating back over 100 years included in the blend.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn addition to a’Rina, Giuseppe produces wines from three different crus, San Lorenzo, Feudo and Feudo di Mezzo. Giuseppe will tell you that the more generous examples come from Feudo, a 6 hectare site planted in the 1950’s. From San Lorenzo, 8 hectares planted around 1940, you get a wine with more structure and aging potential. Giuseppe began making wine from his third single vineyard, Feudo di Mezzo, a tiny, 1-hectare, in 2011. The parcel was planted between 1920 and 1940 makes a for a sleek, polished bottling. In addition to his reds, Russo also makes an Etna Rosato from Nerello Mascalese and an Etna Bianco from Carricante, Catarratto and other local whites. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Girolamo","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":46333414670625,"sku":"210000013914","price":48.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/img-0034_b277bd89-af2f-489d-9a62-caa8df01a6ba.png?v=1692039097"},{"product_id":"occhipinti-siccagno-nero-davola-sicily-italy","title":"2022 Occhipinti \"Siccagno\" Nero d'Avola, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Nero d'Avola. From multiple, certified-organic parcels with vines averaging 35 years old, planted on red-sandy, limestone soils and trained in alberello and guyot. The bunches are hand-harvested and destemmed with the berries left whole. Fermentation is spontaneous with native yeasts in 20-hectoliter concrete tanks and with approximately 30 days of maceration and only gentle extraction. The wine is aged for 22 months in 25-hectoliter Slavonian oak botti and is bottled without fining or filtration. Sulfur use is minimal. \"Siccagno\" is local dialect for \"totally dry\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Arianna Occhipinti has become a seminal figure for a new generation of wine lovers. Her rise to prominence has been meteoric, and rightfully so: anyone who has ever met Ari will instantly vouch for her charming personality and seemingly boundless energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArianna is the niece of Giusto Occhpinti, whose COS wines are undisputedly amongst the very best of Sicily. In 1998, Giusto invited her to help him out at Vinitaly for four days. Arianna was 16 at the time and knew nothing about wine; the experience was such a good one that she decided to study viticulture and oenology in university. This quickly proved counter-intuitive, since everything she had learned from her uncle (organic viticulture, hand-harvesting, native yeast fermentations) clashed with what she was being taught in school.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUndeterred, Arianna started making her own wine with just one hectare of abandoned vines in the commune of Vittoria. Over the years, she has progressively expanded the estate by replanting 10 hectares of the region's indigenous Frappato and Nero D'Avola in selection massale. A few years later, she was able to start renting 50 year old Frappato and 45 year old Nero D'Avola vines, both independently bottled as single varietal\/vineyard cuvées. In 2012, an additional eight hectares of 19 year old vines were acquired, which for the time being will be used to produce more of her \"SP68\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinually pushing things forward, Arianna built herself a new cellar in 2014, a huge step up from the cramped, chaotic space she used to work in. Besides the obvious advantage of having more space, it has permitted Arianna to start a new regiment of concrete fermentation and aging for both \"SP68\"'s, which used to to be produced in stainless steel and fiberglass. Some of the tanks are glass lined, some aren't. They are all 2mx2m, and with the way they are set up, the juice can be worked by gravity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Occhipinti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333418668321,"sku":"210000014470","price":56.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/img-0025_c8ae47a9-b464-49cb-a27f-ad26942c46ba.png?v=1692039113"},{"product_id":"2019-passopisciaro-contrada-sciaranuova-igt-terre-sicila-sicily-italy","title":"2019 Passopisciaro \"Contrada Sciaranuova\",  IGT Terre Sicila, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContrada Sciaranuova is located at 850m a.s.l. The name means \"new casting\" in Sicilian, indicating the recent geological age of the casting formed just 400 years ago. North slopes of Etna volcano – contrada Sciaranuova – Randazzo, Catania – Sicily; volcanic formations that are between 40,000 and 4,000 years old. Aged in 25hl oak Slavonian barrels and in 300 lt French oak barrels for 12 months.\n \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e In 2000 Andrea Franchetti decided to restore an old farm and cellars on the slopes of Mount Etna, an active volcano in northeastern Sicily. The winery sits at about a thousand meters of altitude above the small wine town of Passopisciaro in the district of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slope of the volcano. His first task was to clear and restore long-abandoned terraces of ancient vines on the northern slopes of the mountain, replanting at a density of 12,000 vines per hectare on thin lavic soil. His arrival on Etna helped to initiate the renaissance of viticulture on the mountain and an international discovery of the wines of Etna. At Passopisciaro, he focuses on the native grape Nerello Mascalese and its various expressions of terroir and altitudes through a series of crus, as well as the varieties Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, and Cesanese d’Affile.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Passopisciaro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333436559649,"sku":"210000014759","price":69.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/IMG_0060.png?v=1692039159"},{"product_id":"copy-of-2019-passopisciaro-contrada-sciaranuova-igt-terre-sicila-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Passopisciaro \"Contrada Chiappemacine\",  IGT Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Nerello Mascalese. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContrada Chiappemacine is a small domain at 550 m (1,800 ft) above sea level, our lowest site for a single vineyard cru. The site produces a more full-bodied, rounder style because it lies on the last outreach of Mount Etna’s lava; beneath the thinner strata of lava lies a limestone bed to which the vines penetrate. Passopisciaro owns 1.2 hectares of vines in this \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003econtrada\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePassopisciaro produces six different bottlings of nerello mascalese, the native grape to Mt. Etna, in order to showcase the profound differences in the terroir – lava flow, aspect, and altitude – of the various \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003econtrade\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e that we work with. The vines are all between 70-100 years old, and the nerello harvest typically occurs at the end of October\/early November. The wines undergo fermentation in steel vats, followed by malolactic and 18 months aging in large neutral oak barrels; this minimal intervention approach to winemaking allows the differences in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eterroir\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to shine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2000 Andrea Franchetti decided to restore an old farm and cellars on the slopes of Mount Etna, an active volcano in northeastern Sicily. The winery sits at about a thousand meters of altitude above the small wine town of Passopisciaro in the district of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slope of the volcano. His first task was to clear and restore long-abandoned terraces of ancient vines on the northern slopes of the mountain, replanting at a density of 12,000 vines per hectare on thin lavic soil. His arrival on Etna helped to initiate the renaissance of viticulture on the mountain and an international discovery of the wines of Etna. At Passopisciaro, he focuses on the native grape Nerello Mascalese and its various expressions of terroir and altitudes through a series of crus, as well as the varieties Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, and Cesanese d’Affile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe high altitude, sun-drenched vineyards are idyllic yet a constant plume of smoke and the odd ash-filled belch present a constant reminder that Etna is indeed a volcano with attitude, given to relatively frequent lava spills. These spills devastate the landscape, yet each flow leaves a unique mineral profile, giving rise to the notion of various terroirs, here called contrade. The borders of the contrade reflect old feudal property lines, which are still mapped out on the local land registry. Franchetti respects and plays to the strengths of his chosen terroir on Etna, producing wines of remarkable complexity and individual personality. Significant temperature differences between day and night also play an important role, necessitating a longer growing period and this, in turn, contributes complexity and intensity, as do the profound mineral elements of the volcanic soils.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Passopisciaro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333437575457,"sku":"210000014761","price":82.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/SSWINEBOTTLEPHOTOTEMPLATE_4522d44d-1119-4014-81a5-b89649b89ee8.png?v=1782326178"},{"product_id":"2019-tornatore-pietrarizzo-etna-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2019 Tornatore \"Pietrarizzo\" Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\"\u003eThe Pietrarizzo Contrada, since the last century, is considered by the natives of this area, one of the finest cru. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe grape variety used is Nerello Mascalese cultivated in terraces, vinified in cement tanks and aged in large wooden barrels. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eMore than 1 year in wooden barrels and in cement tanks and about 3 months in bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe beginning of the cultivation of the vine, with the production of wine, by the Tornatore Family dates back to 1865 when the great-grandfather of the current owner embarks on the agricultural activity. In 1910 Giuseppe, the current owner's grandfather, built a house with annexed millstone in Contrada Piano Fiera with adjacent 2 hectares of vineyard to which two more were added on the north side of Etna in the Piano Felci area at 1,000 meters above sea level. has always had a detailed knowledge of the territories of the town of Castiglione di Sicilia since the grandfather Giuseppe and uncle Giovanni were appointed cadastral indicators in the early 30s, accompanying the surveyor to detect particles, to define borders and names of districts. The construction of an oil mill annexed to the millstone dates back to that period, which was active in the various technological evolutions until the 1970s. A family, therefore, with deep roots in the territory of origin, which in subsequent generations has never neglected the attachment and respect of the same and of the traditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tornatore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333442261281,"sku":"210000015183","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2016-benanti-contrada-monte-serra-etna-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2016 Benanti Contrada Monte Serra, Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE WINE \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll bush vines (ranging from \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e14-100 + years old) \u003c\/span\u003eon terraced single vineyard on the slope of Monte Serra, an ancient extinct volcanic cone within the territory of the village of Viagrande, on the south-eastern flank of Mount Etna. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are hand-picked, de-stemmed and pressed softly. The wine is aged for 12 months in French Barrique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE WINERY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, “an island within the island” of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. With vineyards positioned on four different slopes of the Etna volcano: North, East, South-East and South-West, the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a “sense of place.” Benanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 25 years at the helm of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012. Antonio and Salvino Benanti now lead the winery with the same vision and passion as their father, continuing the reputation as a very traditional producer and the pioneer of fine wine making on Mount Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333442785569,"sku":"210000014925","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/gNpUM85hR56tiywb_IYlVQ_pb_x960_05399994-dc19-4fdc-b131-260b6e815bf3.png?v=1692039179"},{"product_id":"2019-vini-franchetti-passopisciaro-passorosso-etna-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2022 Vini Franchetti Passopisciaro Etna Rosso \"Passorosso,\" Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly Passopisciaro, Passorosso is made from the grapes of Nerello Mascalese, blending across different altitudes and soil types. This wine is a holistic expression of the breadth of flavors that Etna can produce with a character that distills this unique growing environment in a glass, reflecting the variations of each vintage. The wines age in large, neutral oak barrels and are unfiltered, presenting an interpretation of Nerello Mascalese that is bright, pure, red-fruited, mineral, and herbaceous, and with age, it begins to lose its color and gain exotic aromas of camphor, sandalwood, and spice. The first vintage was in 2001. Starting with the 2014 vintage, Passorosso has been designated Etna Rosso DOC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVines are 80 to 110 years old and the grapes are vinified for 15 days in steel vats before they are aged for 18 months between cement vats and large oak barrels. Bottling was done with the waning moon June of 2021.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAndrea Franchetti arrived on Mt. Etna in 2000 and helped to initiate the renaissance of viticulture on the mountain and an international discovery of the region as a quality wine region. Franchetti creates eight different wines at his winery Passopisciaro, fewer than 8,000 total cases annually. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, given to relatively frequent lava spills. These spills devastate the landscape, yet each flow leaves a unique mineral profile, giving rise to the notion of various terroirs, here called Contrade. The borders of the Contrade reflect old feudal property lines, which are still mapped out on the local land registry. As Passopisciaro, we respect and play to the strengths of the terroir on Etna, producing wines of remarkable complexity and individual personality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix of these wines are focused on the indigenous grape Nerello Mascalese, a late-ripening grape with little color, large bunches, strong skins, ancient vines grown on restored terraces at various altitudes across the mountain, selected for their density, vine age, and exposition. The wine Passorosso is a bright, holistic rendering of the grape that is unique and ever-present on the volcano, blending from different altitudes and lava flows. First made in 2001, it has been a textbook example of Etna wine ever since. Starting in 2008, Passopiscaro began to bottle the top sites separately, helping to usher in a cru system on Etna. These five Contrada wines — Chiappemacine, Porcaria, Guardiola, Sciaranuova, and Rampante — each come from vineyards of different ages and are each on a lava flow with different minerals, grain size, and altitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to the wines made of Nerello Mascalese, Passopisciaro produces two wines from international varieties, densely planted in the Contrada of Guardiola: a pure, mineral-driven Chardonnay, reminiscent of the great whites of Burgundy, as well as a produces a striking red, Franchetti, made with the grapes Petit Verdot and Cesanese d’Affile, denser and more concentrated than the wines of the local variety. Thus, while the Nerello wines are “wines of place” expressing their unique terroir, Franchetti is a true winemaker’s wine, expressing a particular vision of the maker. Likened to Sassicaia in terms of the attention it first brought to its region, these wines demonstrate a particular genius and forethought to produce wines that could rank amongst the finest in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Perrine's Westside","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333444358433,"sku":"210000015193","price":41.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/SSWINEBOTTLEPHOTOTEMPLATE_2c6077bc-c55d-4a8b-afef-60208b9844bc.png?v=1745690122"},{"product_id":"caruso-e-minini-terre-di-giumara-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Caruso e Minini \"Terre di Giumara\", Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA balanced blend of these two different grapes from Sicily highlighting the different tannin structure and combination of tart fruit and earth. \u003cbr\u003eCertainly suitable to accompany both meat and fish. Excellent with medium hard cheeses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaruso e Minini is a joint venture between two families and two different stories that merge when Stefano Caruso, the third generation of winemakers, meets Mario Minini, owner of a marketing company in Northern Italy.\u003cbr\u003eTogether, back in 2004, built the foundations of Caruso \u0026amp; Minini, a state of the art winery in Marsala, a city at the extreme part of western Sicily.\u003cbr\u003eIt is an ambitious challenge, which sees as protagonists the Caruso family’s agricultural tradition and the Minini sales expertise. A Winning bet because, to date, wines reach fans in more than 30 countries around the world.\u003cbr\u003eTradition and competence, with a look into the future. In fact, today Stefano is flanked by his two daughters Giovanna and Rosanna who are actively taking part in the daily work at the winery. Management in pink that has brought a breath of freshness among the barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Caruso","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333449634081,"sku":"P-9704","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/b929fb12afff14e46db20d621e8b718f.png?v=1692039195"},{"product_id":"2021-tenuta-della-terre-nere-etna-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2024 Tenuta della Terre Nere Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"","brand":"Terre Nere","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333451927841,"sku":"P-3501","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/IMG_0051_8c151f4f-a42f-45d8-9079-d1599a5bb0d5.png?v=1692039209"},{"product_id":"2018-occhipinti-cerasuolo-di-vittoria-grotte-alte-sicily-italy","title":"2019 Occhipinti Cerasuolo di Vittoria Sicilia IGT \"Grotte Alte\", Sicily, Italy","description":"","brand":"Occhipinti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333477847329,"sku":"P-11176","price":85.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2019-feudo-montoni-vigna-del-core-perricone-sicily-italy","title":"2019 Feudo Montoni \"Vigna del Core\" Perricone, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Perricone \"Del Core\" is a fairly structured wine with a great personality that embodies all the flavors of the area. It is produced following the principles of organic farming that distinguish the company. This red wine is produced with only hand-picked grapes from the \"Core\" vineyard, a native vineyard at 500 meters above sea level where there are vines that are about 40 years old. After the manual harvesting of the grapes, the alcoholic fermentation takes place in concrete tanks. The fermentation lasts about 8 months, and after bottling there is a further rest in the bottle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeudo Montoni has been producing top-quality wines on its historic grounds since 1469, and is currently overseen by Fabio Sireci, the third generation of a family dedicated to producing the most refined expressions of this long-cultivated terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the certified organic winery produces many of Italy’s most celebrated 100% indigenous varietals—Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia and Passito—in addition to the purest expression of Nero d’Avola.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSireci is particularly proud of the organic farming methods, artisanal cellar practices and renewable energy sources he’s implemented and maintained, which he says preserves the grapes’ natural flavors and nuances. “We keep the vines rustic, so the foliage is free to express itself,” he says. “The vineyards are not fertilized—we condition the land by sowing broad beans and peas, and we do not use any chemical products.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll operations in the vineyard are undertaken completely by hand, and the results speak for themselves: thanks to the Sireci family’s dedication and the vineyards’ high altitude, fluctuating temperatures, plentiful rainfall and neighboring olive and wheat plots, Feudo Montoni wines have staked their claim among the finest in the region.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Feudo Montoni","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333541122337,"sku":"210000015709","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/montoniperricone.jpg?v=1692039807"},{"product_id":"2019-feudo-montoni-vigna-lagnusa-nero-davola-sicily-italy","title":"2020 Feudo Montoni “Vigna Lagnusa” Nero d'Avola, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFeudo Montoni is located on the western side of Sicily, situated on clay and limestone soils rather than Etna's typical volcanic soils. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLagnusa means lazy in the local dialect, and refers to the vines' low yields. This Nero d'Avola is dark-fruited, juicy and lightly spicy, with fresh acidity and enticing berry aromas. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAged 20 months in cement, 4 months in barrel, and 4 months in bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeudo Montoni has been producing top-quality wines on its historic grounds since 1469, and is currently overseen by Fabio Sireci, the third generation of a family dedicated to producing the most refined expressions of this long-cultivated terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the certified organic winery produces many of Italy’s most celebrated 100% indigenous varietals—Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia and Passito—in addition to the purest expression of Nero d’Avola.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSireci is particularly proud of the organic farming methods, artisanal cellar practices and renewable energy sources he’s implemented and maintained, which he says preserves the grapes’ natural flavors and nuances. “We keep the vines rustic, so the foliage is free to express itself,” he says. “The vineyards are not fertilized—we condition the land by sowing broad beans and peas, and we do not use any chemical products.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll operations in the vineyard are undertaken completely by hand, and the results speak for themselves: thanks to the Sireci family’s dedication and the vineyards’ high altitude, fluctuating temperatures, plentiful rainfall and neighboring olive and wheat plots, Feudo Montoni wines have staked their claim among the finest in the region.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Feudo Montoni","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333541712161,"sku":"210000012089","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/montonidavola.jpg?v=1692039808"},{"product_id":"2021-feudo-montoni-catarratto-vigna-del-masso-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Feudo Montoni Catarratto \"Vigna del Masso,\" Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA pleasant dry wine with a fresh, harmonious taste and a refined fruity bouquet; grown on sandy soils, which are located at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level. The average age of the vines used is 55 years. Vinification involves cold maceration and fermentation under strict temperature control. Aged wine for four months with periodic batonazhem (mixing sludge to enrich the texture and flavor of wine). \"Viña del Masso\" Catarratto is the perfect accompaniment for fish dishes, white meats and soft cheeses.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeudo Montoni has been producing top-quality wines on its historic grounds since 1469, and is currently overseen by Fabio Sireci, the third generation of a family dedicated to producing the most refined expressions of this long-cultivated terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the certified organic winery produces many of Italy’s most celebrated 100% indigenous varietals—Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia and Passito—in addition to the purest expression of Nero d’Avola.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSireci is particularly proud of the organic farming methods, artisanal cellar practices and renewable energy sources he’s implemented and maintained, which he says preserves the grapes’ natural flavors and nuances. “We keep the vines rustic, so the foliage is free to express itself,” he says. “The vineyards are not fertilized—we condition the land by sowing broad beans and peas, and we do not use any chemical products.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll operations in the vineyard are undertaken completely by hand, and the results speak for themselves: thanks to the Sireci family’s dedication and the vineyards’ high altitude, fluctuating temperatures, plentiful rainfall and neighboring olive and wheat plots, Feudo Montoni wines have staked their claim among the finest in the region.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Feudo Montoni","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333541810465,"sku":"720815090033","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/montonicatarrato.jpg?v=1692039808"},{"product_id":"2020-caruso-e-minini-perricone-bio-terre-siciliane-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Caruso \u0026 Minini Perricone \"Naturalmente Bio\", Terre Siciliane, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCareful selection of handpicked grapes. Maceration and fermentation of the destemmed grapes in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 25°C for 15-20 days. Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e6 months in stainless steel tanks. Final aging in bottle for 3-6 months.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on Sicily’s westernmost coast near the town of Marsala, Caruso \u0026amp; Minini boasts a history that harks back to the late 1800’s when Antonio Caruso bought the company to grow grapes for the nearby Marsala factories. The company was passed through subsequent generations until Nino Caruso finally decided to begin making and bottling his own wine in the mid 1900’s. In 2004, Stefano Caruso joined forces with Mario Minini of Lombardy to launch the present-day winery, producing wines from indigenous Sicilian varietals such as Catarratto, Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Inzolia, and Nerello Mascalese. Today, Stefano’s daughter Giovanna works closely with her father to head up this historic winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery now boasts 120 hectares at 200-400 meters above sea level, including 5 hectares that are farmed organically and dedicated to Giovanna Caruso’s BIO project. Located 20 kilometers from the sea, the area is cooled by strong winds, yet is far enough from them to avoid any potential damage. The area, which was under water millions of years ago, is characterized by its alluvial soil, rich in water and organic substances. Most notable are the large stones called\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ecuti\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein local dialect. The softball-sized\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003ecuti\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003enot only impart a distinct minerality on the grapes grown in them, but also soak up heat from the sun which they transfer to the vines, allowing for an earlier ripening of the grapes thus making harvest possible at a stage which will allow for higher acidity in the wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Caruso e Minini","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333544726817,"sku":"210000010352","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/perricone.jpg?v=1692039819"},{"product_id":"2017-feudo-montoni-vrucara-nero-davola-sicily-italy","title":"2017 Feudo Montoni “Vrucara” Nero d'Avola, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eVrucara is the name of the cru from which the grapes hail. The name has its origins in a vineyard of which the land has always been called “Vrucara.” It takes this name due to the presence of \u003cem\u003evruca,\u003c\/em\u003e a Sicilian word for a bush that grows spontaneously around the vineyard. This herb has aromas of menthol mixed with those of incense oil. Transferred into the old, unique vines, we notice this aroma in the wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eFermentation takes place in cement containers with a long maceration of 30 days on the skins. The pressing is made in an old wood press. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation takes place in cement. Ages 42 months in cement, 4 months in barrels, 6 months in the bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipWinery\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/brand\" itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"brand\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipWinery_content js-has-wineryMap js-has-multipleImages\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipWinery_copy viewMoreModule\" itemprop=\"description\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"viewMoreModule_text\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eFeudo Montoni has been producing top-quality wines on its historic grounds since 1469, and is currently overseen by Fabio Sireci, the third generation of a family dedicated to producing the most refined expressions of this long-cultivated terroir.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eToday, the certified organic winery produces many of Italy’s most celebrated 100% indigenous varietals—Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia and Passito—in addition to the purest expression of Nero d’Avola.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eSireci is particularly proud of the organic farming methods, artisanal cellar practices and renewable energy sources he’s implemented and maintained, which he says preserves the grapes’ natural flavors and nuances. “We keep the vines rustic, so the foliage is free to express itself,” he says. “The vineyards are not fertilized—we condition the land by sowing broad beans and peas, and we do not use any chemical products.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #404040;\"\u003eAll operations in the vineyard are undertaken completely by hand, and the results speak for themselves: thanks to the Sireci family’s dedication and the vineyards’ high altitude, fluctuating temperatures, plentiful rainfall and neighboring olive and wheat plots, Feudo Montoni wines have staked their claim among the finest in the region.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Feudo Montoni","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333542072609,"sku":"210000015711","price":63.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/montonivrucara2017.jpg?v=1692039809"},{"product_id":"2021-feudo-montoni-vigna-della-timpa-grillo-sicily-italy","title":"2023 Feudo Montoni “Vigna della Timpa” Grillo, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eABOUT \u003cstrong\u003eTHIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e100% Grillo from an \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e East-facing vineyard at \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e700 meters (2,297 feet) above sea level. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTimpa is the name of the cru from which the grapes hail. The name has its origins in the Sicilian word, “timpa” meaning strong slope. In fact the vineyard climbs up a hill with a degree that exceeds 70%. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e Fermented 100% in cement containers, in contact with the skins for a quarter of the fermentation process. Aging is sur lie with batonnage in cement containers for 6 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeudo Montoni has been producing top-quality wines on its historic grounds since 1469, and is currently overseen by Fabio Sireci, the third generation of a family dedicated to producing the most refined expressions of this long-cultivated terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the certified organic winery produces many of Italy’s most celebrated 100% indigenous varietals—Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia and Passito—in addition to the purest expression of Nero d’Avola.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSireci is particularly proud of the organic farming methods, artisanal cellar practices and renewable energy sources he’s implemented and maintained, which he says preserves the grapes’ natural flavors and nuances. “We keep the vines rustic, so the foliage is free to express itself,” he says. “The vineyards are not fertilized—we condition the land by sowing broad beans and peas, and we do not use any chemical products.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll operations in the vineyard are undertaken completely by hand, and the results speak for themselves: thanks to the Sireci family’s dedication and the vineyards’ high altitude, fluctuating temperatures, plentiful rainfall and neighboring olive and wheat plots, Feudo Montoni wines have staked their claim among the finest in the region.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Feudo Montoni","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333542138145,"sku":"210000015706","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/products\/montonigrillo.jpg?v=1692039809"},{"product_id":"2024-feudo-montoni-rose-di-adele-nerello-mascalese-rosato-sicily-italy","title":"2024 Feudo Montoni \"Rose di Adele\" Nerello Mascalese Rosato, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRose di Adele is the name of the cru from which the grapes hail. The name has its origins in a rose garden that owner Fabio Sireci’s father, Elio, dedicated to his beloved wife, Adele. 100% Nerello Mascalese, ages 6 months sur lie with batonnage in cement containers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeudo Montoni has been producing top-quality wines on its historic grounds since 1469, and is currently overseen by Fabio Sireci, the third generation of a family dedicated to producing the most refined expressions of this long-cultivated terroir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the certified organic winery produces many of Italy’s most celebrated 100% indigenous varietals—Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia and Passito—in addition to the purest expression of Nero d’Avola.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSireci is particularly proud of the organic farming methods, artisanal cellar practices and renewable energy sources he’s implemented and maintained, which he says preserves the grapes’ natural flavors and nuances. “We keep the vines rustic, so the foliage is free to express itself,” he says. “The vineyards are not fertilized—we condition the land by sowing broad beans and peas, and we do not use any chemical products.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll operations in the vineyard are undertaken completely by hand, and the results speak for themselves: thanks to the Sireci family’s dedication and the vineyards’ high altitude, fluctuating temperatures, plentiful rainfall and neighboring olive and wheat plots, Feudo Montoni wines have staked their claim among the finest in the region.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Feudo Montoni","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46333542236449,"sku":"210000015708","price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/4_9f4d8055-7f82-4a52-9af7-b65fe9d18694.png?v=1774910493"},{"product_id":"2021-benanti-etna-rosso-contrada-monte-serra-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Benanti Etna Rosso \"Contrada Monte Serra\", Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Nerello Mascalese. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVineyards in Contrada Monte Serra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, on the South-east slope of Mount Etna, within the territory of Viagrande (CT). Elevation is 450 m. a.s.l. \/ 1,500 ft a.s.l.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVineyard of Nerello Mascalese with a South-east facing aspect. Vines are planted in sandy, volcanic soil, rich in “ripiddu” (small pumice lava stones) and minerals, with sub-acid reaction. The plants are of mixed ages and include some 100 year old ones, all trained in alberello, with a planting density of about 9,000 vinestocks per hectare and a yield of approximately 6,500 kg\/ha. The climate is hilly, humid and rainy in the colder season, with good ventilation and significant swings between day and evening temperatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the manual harvest in late September or early October and full de-stemming, maceration and fermentation take place in stainless steel at controlled temperatures over approximately 21 days, using only indigenous Etna yeasts that have been selected by the winery after a long experimentation. The wine then ages in French oak tonneaux for 12 months and then in stainless steel. The wine then spends about 10 months in the bottle before being released.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, “an island within the island” of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. With vineyards positioned on four different slopes of the Etna volcano: North, East, South-East and South-West, the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a “sense of place.” Benanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 25 years at the helm of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012. Antonio and Salvino Benanti now lead the winery with the same vision and passion as their father, continuing the reputation as a very traditional producer and the pioneer of fine wine making on Mount Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47346237473057,"sku":"210000016373","price":62.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/BenantiEtnaRosso_ContradaMonteSerra_2017.png?v=1708031392"},{"product_id":"2022-planeta-chardonnay-menfi-sicily-italy","title":"2022 Planeta  Chardonnay \"Menfi\", Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlaneta Chardonnay has become an image of the change in Sicilian wine. Starting with the desire to compete on the world stage with this noble grape. Following a long process beginning in 1985, full of surprises and successes, today Planeta Chardonnay is an icon for the whole of Sicily.\u003cbr\u003eFrom the sea to the hills, up to an altitude of 400 metres, the Menfi territory holds the largest extent of our vineyards. We cultivate more than 250 hectares, and we make careful selections of our vines, both indigenous and international varieties, to the specifics of each terroir.\u003cbr\u003eThe vines planted at Ulmo and Maroccoli, from which this Chardonnay is produced, are unique for their aspect and terroir. Ulmo soil characteristics. The valley was originally crossed by a river which today has become Lake Arancio. This contributed to the formation of deep soils, with an abundant texture of pebbles. The higher soils are more limey and chalky. The slope ensures perfect drainage. Maroccoli soil is moderately chalky with abundant loamy sections. An extraordinary micro-climate exists with breezes coming from the sea which is only a few kilometers away.\u003cbr\u003eSicily and Planeta recorded a great quality 2022 harvest. A dry summer determined extremely healthy grapes, with a very low fungal load. This was a harvest that - despite extreme weather conditions - magically balanced out: the very heavy late autumn rains made up for the winter drought. The high average temperatures of June and July were offset by an ideal August through October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are de-stemmed and crushed; the juice is clarified through cold settling overnight and then inoculated with selected yeast. The fermentation and ageing in 225-liter French oak barrels –carefully and precisely judged– delivers a wine unique for its grace and power.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePlaneta’s journey began at Sambuca di Sicilia, on the estate owned by the family since the 1600s. Here, three enthusiastic young Sicilians, Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta, under the guidance of Diego Planeta, began their winemaking venture in the mid-1980s. Subsequent years were spent matching the extraordinarily diverse Sicilian soils with both indigenous and international varieties. Planeta today encompasses six distinct wine estates in five regions across Sicily; Ulmo at Sambuca di Sicilia, Dispensa at Menfi, Dorilli at Vittoria, Buonivini at Noto, Sciara Nuova on Etna at Castiglione di Sicilia, and the newest addition, La Baronia at Capo Milazzo. Each vineyard site is carefully cultivated with grapes that best compliment the local terroir.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Planeta","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47346836767009,"sku":"P-9243","price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/IMG_0071_810fc6c8-a6be-4a8b-ba45-48288cceed0f.png?v=1699764684"},{"product_id":"2019-graci-quota-1000-contrada-barbabecchi-etna-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2019 Graci \"Quota 1000 Contrada Barbabecchi\" Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHigh elevation, old-vines from a single vineyard of 100% Nerello Mascalese go into this small production bottling. The wine is fermented in steel vats called \"tini\" for 25 days. Maloactic fermentation and aging for 24 months takes place in large oak casks. Finally the wine gets another 12 months of aging in bottle before release. The wine is well-structured with complex fruit, built for aging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Graci estate is located on the Northern slope of Mount Etna at Passopisciaro, an area where viticulture goes back several thousand years. The vineyards are at an elevation between 1800 and 3000 feet above sea level Planting density ranges between 6,000 and 10,000 vines per hectare. Some of the vines are on their own roots, and not grafted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the three vineyards is located in Contrada Arcurìa in Passopisciaro. Arcurìa is a single property in the heart of the Etna DOC that extends for 52 acres – ranging in elevations between 1800 and 2000 feet a.s.l. Currently, 36 acres are planted with vines, 30 acres with Nerello Mascalese , 3 acres with Carricante and about 2.5 acres with Catarratto. In one section of the vineyard, the vines are spaced 3 feet apart in each row and there are 7 feet between rows. The other section is ungrafted ‘alberello’ (head plant) planted 3.3 feet apart, giving a total density of 5,000 vines per acre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second smaller vineyard is located in Contrada Barbabecchi in Solicchiata This small property of just 4 acres is planted with Nerello Mascalese and it is at an elevation between 3,000 and 4,200 feet above sea level. These vines were planted over 100 years ago before the phylloxera epidemic that destroyed most vineyards in Europe in the late 1800’s. Naturally, these are ungrafted vines with their own roots. The remainder of the property is planted with Olives and Apples. At this high elevation the grapes are picked in November. These grapes don’t receive any treatments whatsoever- even those approved by the organic farming standards. The Barbabecchi vineyard produces an austere, very special wine of great depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe new vineyard of Contrada Feudo di Mezzo is just 3 acres and will be planted in 2008 exclusively with indigenous varietals: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for reds and Carricante and Catarratto for whites. Intervention of any kind will be very limited, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Herbicides are not used in order to leave the unique balance and vital energy of this soil unaltered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGraci does not use standard barriques, but only vertical large wooden ‘tini’ and large, well-seasoned wooden barrels. Their sole objective is to reflect the personalities of the vineyards and the differences between the different harvests. At these elevations, the climatic seasonal changes can be radical and this is the real treasure of the territory. The Nerello Mascalese manages these changes well and never cease to amaze and thrill the wine maker. It is this great adaptability that drives the winemaker to make wines which are true to and expressive of their real nature.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Graci","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47350361817377,"sku":"210000016395","price":199.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/IMG_0025_01c1e41d-10b4-45e5-8d6a-46dcc89a1235.png?v=1700141770"},{"product_id":"2019-statella-pettinociarelle-etna-rosso-sicily-italy","title":"2019 Statella \"Pettinociarelle\" Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePettinociarelle is located in the Solicchiata township at 765 meters above sea level with a soil that is often compared to the Guardiola cru: it’s quite sandy, so the aromatics of Cal’s wines are really off the charts. The vines are 15 years old, and have always been farmed organically, so from the very first vintage the wine carries the label “MADE WITH ORGANIC GRAPES.” Fermentation occurs in temperature controlled stainless steel, and the maceration time is 12 days, after which the wine is racked into 500-liter oak casks of second and third use (none of it new) for ten months. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio grown in volcanic soils at 765 meters in altitude. Fermentation\/maceration lasts 10-15 days. The wine ages in 2nd \u0026amp; 3rd use French oak tonneaux for 10 months before bottling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCal established himself as a brilliant student at the prestigious enology school in San Michele all’Adige, and then went on to the University of Milan to study viticulture. Under the tutelage of Attilio Scienza, the head of the department and the foremost expert on viticulture, Cal wrote his thesis and graduated at the top of his class in 2001. The Italian wine giant Mezzacorona immediately plucked up Cal after graduation—but that wasn’t before he had spent a harvest working for a man who became one of his closest friends and confidants, Elio Altare. It was his internship with Altare in 2000 that introduced Cal to not only Marco de Grazia, for whom he would eventually work, but also to his next great passion: the wines and vignerons of the Cote d’Or, where he travels at least once a year to taste and meet with winemaking friends. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIn 2007, after working for Mezzacorona to oversee their Sicilian operation, Feudo Arancio (production of 20 million bottles per year!), Cal left to work for Marco at Terre Nere. A happier marriage has never been seen! With Cal’s help, the already high quality of Terre Nere went soaring, and after nearly a decade of crafting wines with Marco de Grazia, Calogero was able to realize his dream of having his own vineyard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Statella","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47350369452321,"sku":"210000016562","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/IMG_0062.png?v=1700143923"},{"product_id":"2022-caruso-e-minini-inzolia-sicily-italy","title":"2025 Caruso e Minini Inzolia \"Zolì\", Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eInzolia, which is characterized by intense and elegant fragrances, is a result of an ancient equilibrium between the strong and generous soil and the vine that seems to never suffer. In one’s mouth it is persistent and intense. \u003cspan\u003eCryomaceration of the destemmed grapes in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature of 4° C for 4-12 hours. Soft pressing of the grapes, static clearing of the must and fermentation at controlled temperature of 16-18° C for 20 days. Aging for 4 months in stainless-steel. Pair with mushroom pasta, baked or grilled fish, white meats and entrées featuring some dairy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated on Sicily’s western-most coast near the town of Marsala, Caruso \u0026amp; Minini boasts a history that harks back to the late 1800’s when Antonio Caruso bought the company to grow grapes for the nearby Marsala factories. The company was passed through subsequent generations until Nino Caruso finally decided to begin making and bottling his own wine in the mid 1900’s. In 2004, Stefano Caruso joined forces with Mario Minini of Lombardy to launch the present-day winery, producing wines from indigenous Sicilian varietals such as Catarratto, Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Inzolia, and Nerello Mascalese. Today, Stefano’s daughter Giovanna works closely with her father to head up this historic winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winery now boasts 120 hectares at 200-400 meters above sea level, including 5 hectares that are farmed organically and dedicated to Giovanna Caruso’s BIO project. Located 20 kilometers from the sea, the area is cooled by strong winds, yet is far enough from them to avoid any potential damage. The area, which was under water millions of years ago, is characterized by its alluvial soil, rich in water and organic substances. Most notable are the large stones called cuti in local dialect. The softball-sized cuti not only impart a distinct minerality on the grapes grown in them, but also soak up heat from the sun which they transfer to the vines, allowing for an earlier ripening of the grapes thus making harvest possible at a stage which will allow for higher acidity in the wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Caruso e Minini","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47370829267233,"sku":"210000016149","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/IMG_0010_c4c8d4e3-fecf-43f1-862e-19dc043b2be1.png?v=1700538171"},{"product_id":"2021-benanti-etna-bianco-superiore-contrada-rinazzo-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Benanti Etna Bianco Superiore \"Contrada Rinazzo\", Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Carricante. Vineyards in\u003cspan\u003e Contrada Rinazzo,\u003c\/span\u003e on the Eastern slope of Mount Etna within the territory of Milo (CT). The contrada is particularly well-known for its elevation (approximately 800 m a.s.l. \/ 2,600 ft a.s.l.), abundant luminosity, continuous ventilation and exposure to the sea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEast-facing, terraced vineyard of Carricante, the noble indigenous white grape variety of the Etna volcano. The vines are planted in sandy, volcanic soil that is rich in minerals, with a sub-acid reaction. The young vines are grown with a traditional alberello system and rest against a chestnut pole, with a planting density of about 8,000 plants per hectare and a yield of 6,500 kg\/ha. The mountainous climate is humid and rainy and snowy in the colder seasons, with extremely good ventilation and significant changes between day and night temperatures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe grapes are hand-harvested after mid October. In the cellar, they are de-stemmed and pressed softly. Fermentation takes place at a temperature of about 18°C in stainless steel vats over 12 days, using a specific indigenous Etna yeast that has been selected by our team after many years of research and experimentation in the vineyard and in the cellar. The wine is left to mature in stainless steel on its own fine lees, with frequent stirrings, over 12 months. The wine then ages for another 6 months in the bottle before it is released.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, “an island within the island” of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. With vineyards positioned on four different slopes of the Etna volcano: North, East, South-East and South-West, the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a “sense of place.” Benanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 25 years at the helm of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012. Antonio and Salvino Benanti now lead the winery with the same vision and passion as their father, continuing the reputation as a very traditional producer and the pioneer of fine wine making on Mount Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47418560479521,"sku":"210000016303","price":73.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/rinazzo_edaf075e-96b9-4224-8697-c5ba3e10732f.jpg?v=1748956789"},{"product_id":"2020-vini-franchetti-passopisciaro-terre-siciliane-igt-contrada-porcaria-sicily-italy","title":"2020 Vini Franchetti Passopisciaro Terre Siciliane IGT \"Contrada Porcaria,\" Sicily, Italy","description":null,"brand":"Passopisciaro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439260025121,"sku":"210000016200","price":78.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2021-benanti-etna-rosso-contrada-cavaliere-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Benanti Etna Rosso \"Contrada Cavaliere\", Sicily, Italy","description":null,"brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439262122273,"sku":"210000016304","price":58.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2020-vini-franchetti-passopisciaro-terre-siciliane-igt-passobianco-sicily-italy","title":"2022 Vini Franchetti Passopisciaro Terre Siciliane IGT \"Passobianco,\" Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInstead of the indigenous Carricante, which grows on the eastern side of the volcano, Passobianco is made of 100% Chardonnay. When Franchetti arrived on Mt. Etna, he planted 4 hectares of the grape on steep terraces between 850 and 1,000 meters \/2,600 and 3,300 feet above sea level in Contrada Guardiola, in very loose, deep, powder like lava that is rich in minerals. 2007 saw the first vintage of this wine, formerly known as Guardiola Bianco. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIts complexities bring together the specific light, drastic changes in temperature, altitude, and volcanic influences of Etna, and the choice of Chardonnay was meant to allow these influences to meld and evolve over time as the white ages, inspired by the aging potential of the great whites of Burgundy. The harvest is quite fussy, as they pick little portions of the vineyard every day, tasting the berries trailing along the terraces day after day, harvesting only when each individual cluster is ripe. The resulting wine is rich yet fresh, bright yet layered.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIn 2000 Andrea Franchetti decided to restore an old farm and cellars on the slopes of Mount Etna, an active volcano in northeastern Sicily. The winery sits at about a thousand meters of altitude above the small wine town of Passopisciaro in the district of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slope of the volcano. His first task was to clear and restore long-abandoned terraces of ancient vines on the northern slopes of the mountain, replanting at a density of 12,000 vines per hectare on thin lavic soil. His arrival on Etna helped to initiate the renaissance of viticulture on the mountain and an international discovery of the wines of Etna. At Passopisciaro, he focuses on the native grape Nerello Mascalese and its various expressions of terroir and altitudes through a series of crus, as well as the varieties Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, and Cesanese d’Affile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe high altitude, sun-drenched vineyards are idyllic yet a constant plume of smoke and the odd ash-filled belch present a constant reminder that Etna is indeed a volcano with attitude, given to relatively frequent lava spills. These spills devastate the landscape, yet each flow leaves a unique mineral profile, giving rise to the notion of various terroirs, here called contrade. The borders of the contrade reflect old feudal property lines, which are still mapped out on the local land registry. Franchetti respects and plays to the strengths of his chosen terroir on Etna, producing wines of remarkable complexity and individual personality. Significant temperature differences between day and night also play an important role, necessitating a longer growing period and this, in turn, contributes complexity and intensity, as do the profound mineral elements of the volcanic soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Passopisciaro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439269069089,"sku":"210000016199","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/BHSTOCKWINEPHOTO-donotedit_44.png?v=1720649977"},{"product_id":"2020-donnafugata-sul-vulcano-etna-bianco-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Donnafugata \"Sul Vulcano\" Etna Bianco, Sicily, Italy","description":null,"brand":"donnafugata","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439273132321,"sku":"210000016523","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2016-benanti-etna-rosso-riserva-rovitello-particella-no-341-sicily-italy","title":"2016 Benanti Etna Rosso Riserva \"Rovitello Particella No. 341\", Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAfter almost thirty years of experience vinifying the well-known Etna Rosso Rovittello, in 2015 Benanti decided to aim for new heights by focusing exclusively on the small, pre-phylloxera portion of the vineyard and extending the wine’s vinification, maturation and refining period to 60 months, thereby creating this new, exclusive Etna Rosso Riserva produced in a very limited quantity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTerraced vineyard located in Contrada Dafara Galluzzo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, in the upper area of Rovittello, part of the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia (CT), on Etna’s Northern slope, at an elevation of 750 m a.s.l. (2,450 ft a.s.l.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eNerello Mascalese (c.90%), Etna’s noble indigenous red variety, and Nerello Cappuccio (c.10%), cultivated on Etna for centuries. The two varieties are co-planted in the same vineyard, with a sandy, volcanic soil, rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction. The head-trained bush vines (“alberello”) are pre-phylloxera and ungrafted, with a planting density of 9,000 to 10,000 vinestocks per hectare and a yield of 5,500 kg\/ha. The area’s mountain climate is humid and rather rainy in the colder season, snowy at times, with good ventilation and very significant diurnal range.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe grapes are hand-harvested and selected in late October. Fermentation takes place in a stainless steel vat at a controlled temperature of 25° C, with a long maceration, with the aid of Benanti’s own indigenous yeast, which was selected from local vineyards through years of research and experimentation in the celllar. Malolactic fermentation takes place in stainless steel, then maturation occurs in large barrels of French oak (15hl) for about 24 months. The refining period in the bottle is 12 months.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, “an island within the island” of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. With vineyards positioned on four different slopes of the Etna volcano: North, East, South-East and South-West, the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a “sense of place.” Benanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 25 years at the helm of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012. Antonio and Salvino Benanti now lead the winery with the same vision and passion as their father, continuing the reputation as a very traditional producer and the pioneer of fine wine making on Mount Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439273689377,"sku":"210000016305","price":135.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2021-benanti-etna-bianco-contrada-cavaliere-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Benanti Etna Bianco \"Contrada Cavaliere\", Sicily, Italy","description":null,"brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439274115361,"sku":"210000016350","price":68.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2020-benanti-noblesse-carricante-spumante-terre-siciliane-igt-sicily-italy","title":"2020 Benanti \"Noblesse\" Carricante Spumante, Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy","description":null,"brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439276409121,"sku":"210000016492","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2015-benanti-etna-bianco-pietra-marina-sicily-italy","title":"2015 Benanti Etna Bianco \"Pietra Marina\", Sicily, Italy","description":null,"brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439278473505,"sku":"210000016514","price":153.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}]},{"product_id":"2020-benanti-nerello-cappuccio-terre-siciliane-igt-sicily-italy","title":"2021 Benanti Nerello Cappuccio, Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THIS WINE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Nerllo Capuccio. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eVineyard in Contrada Cavaliere\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, on the South-western slope of Mount Etna, within the municipality of Santa Maria di Licodia (CT). This area is known for its high elevation (900 m a.s.l. \/ 2,950 ft a.s.l.), low rainfall rate and abundant luminosity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVineyard of Nerello Cappuccio, a red grape variety that has been cultivated on Mount Etna for centuries. Though its origin is unknown, it is considered to be indigenous to the volcano. The volcanic soil is sandy, with an abundance of skeleton and minerals, with sub-acid reaction. The vines are up to 30 years old, organized in rows and trained with spur-pruned cordons, with a density of 6,500-7,000 plants per hectare and a yield of 7,000 kg\/ha. The mountainous climate is humid but less rainy than in other areas of Etna in the colder season, with good ventilation and very significant temperature changes between day and night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grapes are hand-harvested in October and de-stemmed in the cellar. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature, with a two weeks long maceration, using an indigenous yeast specifically selected in the vineyard by Benanti after years of direct experimentation. The wine matures exclusively in stainless steel for about 12 months and then ages in the bottle for about 6 months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eABOUT THIS PRODUCER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, “an island within the island” of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. With vineyards positioned on four different slopes of the Etna volcano: North, East, South-East and South-West, the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a “sense of place.” Benanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenanti is the only winery with vineyards on every slope of the Etna DOC area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter 25 years at the helm of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012. Antonio and Salvino Benanti now lead the winery with the same vision and passion as their father, continuing the reputation as a very traditional producer and the pioneer of fine wine making on Mount Etna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benanti","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47439279096097,"sku":"P-7118","price":46.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0804\/6785\/3601\/files\/BHSTOCKWINEPHOTO-donotedit_49_de8a3c55-269b-4b59-bc19-c72d598a0777.png?v=1737141388"}],"url":"https:\/\/perrineswine.com\/collections\/sicily.oembed?page=5","provider":"PERRINE's WINE SHOP","version":"1.0","type":"link"}