2020 Girolamo Russo " San Lorenzo" Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

Made from 100% Nerello Mascalese, the San Lorenzo bottling comes from a high-altitude vineyard just outside Randazzo, on the northern slope of Mount Etna. The vines here are 70 to 100 years old, planted at 700–750 meters above sea level in sandy, decomposed volcanic soils. These conditions, combined with Etna’s diurnal shifts and cool climate, yield a wine of remarkable finesse, lift, and complexity.

The 2020 vintage was slightly warmer than 2019, but marked by balanced ripening and healthy fruit. As with all of Russo’s wines, the grapes are organically farmed, hand-harvested, and fermented with indigenous yeasts. Aging takes place in large Slavonian oak botti for roughly 16 months, without fining or filtration.

Among Girolamo Russo’s single-vineyard wines, San Lorenzo is known for its harmony and layered structure. It bridges elegance and power—making it both cellar-worthy and approachable in its youth with decanting. Ideal pairings include roasted pork with herbs, Sicilian rabbit stew, or mushroom polenta.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Girolamo Russo, helmed by Giuseppe Russo, is a boutique estate based in Passopisciaro, at the foot of Mount Etna. A former classical pianist, Giuseppe returned to his family’s ancestral land in 2005 and has since established himself as a leading figure in Etna’s viticultural renaissance. He farms 15 hectares of old vines spread across renowned contrade including San Lorenzo, Feudo, and Calderara Sottana.

Russo’s philosophy centers on organic viticulture, low-intervention cellar work, and transparency of place. Each cru bottling offers a distinct narrative of the mountain’s diverse soils and microclimates. San Lorenzo is perhaps the most emblematic of the estate’s style—refined, structured, and deeply expressive of Etna’s volcanic soul.