Philia comes from our small vineyard on the slopes of Mount Etna, located in Contrada Sciara Nuova (Passopisciaro) and is produced for us by Scirto.
The plot is planted with a mix of traditional Etna varieties - Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, Catarratto, Minnella and Precanico - growing together in the same vineyard, as was once common in the area. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts. After fermentation, the wine remains in contact with the skins for about five days, giving it texture and structure while preserving freshness. It then ages in stainless steel, allowing the volcanic character of the vineyard to remain clear and direct. Philia reflects the mixed identity of Etna’s traditional vineyards, where red and white varieties coexist and contribute together to the balance of the wine..

On the northern slopes of Mount Etna, in the village of Passopisciaro, lies the heart of Vini Scirto, a small estate guided with passion by Giuseppe Scirto and Valeria Franco.

The vineyards are rooted in the historic contrade of Feudo di Mezzo and Porcaria, with vines planted in the early 1900s. Some are trained as alberello, others as spurred cordon, all thriving in the black volcanic sands and pumice soils between 600 and 1,000 meters of altitude.

The land once belonged to Giuseppe’s grandparents, who produced simple bulk wine and olive oil. When the family faced the choice of selling the vineyards after his grandfather’s passing, Giuseppe and Valeria decided instead to dedicate themselves to the vines. Their first harvest was in 2010, marking the beginning of a new chapter that continues the family legacy.

From the outset, their philosophy has been one of respect and restraint: no chemical inputs, minimal intervention, and a focus on letting the terroir speak. In the cellar, fermentations occur spontaneously with native yeasts, and the wines are aged patiently to express the character of Etna.

Nerello Mascalese is the beating heart of the estate, accompanied by Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, Grecanico, and Minnella. Each bottle reflects the dialogue between tradition, volcanic landscape, and the vision of its custodians.

Among their flagship wines is A’ Culonna, named after a historic stone monument in Passopisciaro where peasants once gathered to sell wine. It stands as a symbol of continuity: the connection between past and present, land and people.

For Giuseppe and Valeria, Vini Scirto is more than a winery—it is a promise to preserve tradition, protect a fragile landscape, and craft wines that are alive, expressive, and deeply rooted in the soul of Etna.

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