Etna Rosso Pietralunga 2018, Malopasso
Grape
90% Nerello Mascalese
10% local grapes
Drinking Window
Ready or drink by 2025
Region
Etna (Contrada Pietralunga), Sicilia
Pairings
Grilled tuna
Semi aged cheese
Regional Recipes
Winemaker Notes
The vines rise on a volcanic soil with east-southeast exposure to an altitude of 600m above sea level. Sapling training system. The average age of the vines is about 70 years with a planting density of 8000 plants per hectare. The vineyard has an extension of 1.5 hectares.
Harvest starts in the second week of October. Maceration of the must for 12 days. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts only. Aging for 12 months in chestnut tonneau.
The Story
The winery is located in the territory of Zafferana Etnea, on the east-southeast side of Etna with stunning views of the sea with the backdrop of an often smoking Etna. Some years ago, young and passionate Floriana and Pasquale have decided to abandon city life to devote themselves completely to the countryside, the vineyard and wine. They bought an ancient vineyard, over 80 years old, trained as sapling on the typical Etnean terraces.
Despite all the challenges with the Italian government, mafia, climate change, bureaucracy, etc, their project is to recover and enhance their land so that plants can tell their story. Thanks to the volcanic soil, Nerello Mascalese and Carricante have unique aromatic features, moreover the vineyard is rich in pear trees, apples, peaches, olive trees, cherries, all native varieties that increase biodiversity.
Super boutique production of only 450 cases of wine annually. They speak English if you wish to visit them when traveling to Etna.