2018 Benanti Etna Bianco "Pietra Marina", Sicily, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

Since the very beginning in 1988, Giuseppe Benanti has aspired to demonstrate the high potential of Carricante grown in Milo. And indeed, this wine, whose name recalls volcanic landscapes, flintstones, minerals and saline sea breezes, is now unanimously considered one of the most typical, elegant and age-worthy whites in Italy.

Etna D.O.C. Bianco Superiore, which accounts for less than 1% of the aggregate Etna D.O.C. production.

Vineyard located in Contrada Rinazzo, on the Eastern slope of Mount Etna, within the municipality of Milo (CT), an area particularly suited in terms of elevation, abundant luminosity, influence of the sea and constant ventilation.

Carricante 100%, 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 vineyard faces east, towards the Ionian sea, at an elevation of c. 800 m a.s.l. (c. 2,600 ft a.s.l.) and is planted on small lava-stone-walled terraces of sandy volcanic soil, rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction. The vines are head-trained, short-pruned bushes (“alberello”), reaching over 90 years of age in some cases. Planting density is 8,000 to 9,000 vinestocks per hectare, with a yield of c. 5,500 kg/ha. The area’s specific mountain climate is humid, rainy and often snowy in the colder months, with very significant ventilation, luminosity and diurnal range.

The selected grapes are harvested by hand after mid-October, de-stemmed and softly pressed. Fermentation takes place for about 12 days at a controlled temperature in a stainless steel vat, with the aid of Benanti’s own Carricante-specific indigenous yeast, which was selected from local vineyards through years of research and experimentation in the cellar. The wine matures in a stainless steel vat on the fine lees for about 24 months, with frequent bâtonnages, and then refines in the bottle for 12 months.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Winemaking 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.

After 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.