Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
Contrada C comes from Chiappemacine, a small 1.2 ha parcel at approximately 550 m. It is Passopisciaro’s lowest single-contrada vineyard and lies at the outer edge of an Etna lava flow. The site’s thin lava layer overlies limestone, which can be reached by the vine roots. These conditions produce the fullest, roundest expression among the estate’s contrada wines. The 2024 technical sheet additionally refers to sandstone at the margins of the lava flow.
The Nerello Mascalese vines used in 2024 were approximately 90 years old and planted at 8,000 vines per hectare. Organic vineyard treatments comprised clay, propolis, grapefruit-seed extracts, copper and sulfur. Yield was 55 q/ha.
Grapes
100% Nerello Mascalese.
Vinification
The 2024 grapes were harvested manually on 4 October. Fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks and was followed by malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
The wine matured for 18 months in large Slavonian-oak barrels. The general Contrade method describes these large vessels as neutral oak. The 2024 vintage was bottled on 16 February 2026.
Technical data
Appellation: IGP Terre Siciliane. Alcohol: 14.5% ABV. Production: 3,889 bottles.
Tasting profile
The 2024 aromatic profile begins with lively fresh red fruit, particularly raspberry and pomegranate, accompanied by delicate spice. The palate has substantial structure and energy while echoing the fragrant character of the bouquet. The site character is consistently full-bodied and rounded.
Vintage notes
The 2024 season began with a cold, clear winter, followed by a favorable spring and flowering between late May and early June. The summer became intensely hot and dry, requiring irrigation where possible. Rain and hail arrived in early August, damaging clusters in lower vineyards, and some vines failed under the prolonged drought. Red-grape harvesting began on 3 October; Contrada C was picked manually the following day.
Label / history
Passopisciaro began bottling its contrada wines separately in 2008, highlighting differences in lava flow, altitude and aspect among old-vine Nerello Mascalese sites. The labels changed in 2009. The letter C identifies Contrada Chiappemacine.
