About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Mountain-grown Nerello Mascalese from the Randazzo Estate and other particularly suitable areas on Etna’s northern slope. Vineyards lie predominantly between 600 and 750 m on mountainous, sandy soils of volcanic origin. The continental climate has Mediterranean influences, cold winters and pronounced day-to-night temperature swings in summer. This side of the volcano receives less rain than Etna’s other slopes, helping the grapes ripen.
The vines are trained as traditional Etna bush vines or by vertical shoot positioning with spur-pruned cordons. Because much of the land is steep, many vineyards occupy terraces supported by dry lava-stone walls.
Grapes
Nerello Mascalese.
Vinification
For the 2020 vintage, grapes were carefully selected in the vineyard and harvested by hand into crates during the first half of October. In the winery they were sorted first on a vibrating table and then by a destemmer that retained only intact, ripe berries. Fermentation took place in stainless steel at controlled temperature, with maceration on the skins.
Ageing
More than one year in French oak barriques, followed by over two years in bottle before release.
Technical data
2020: 14% alcohol by volume; total acidity 5.8 g/L; pH 3.50. Cellaring potential exceeds 10 years.
Tasting profile
Ruby red. Spice merges with wild strawberry and plum, followed by violet and woodland-floor notes. Integrated tannins and minerality define the palate, while the persistent finish underscores its volcanic character.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 18 °C with dishes based on mushrooms, legumes or red meat.
Vintage notes
The 2020 season on Etna’s northern slope was mild, with 792 mm of rain against a local average of 801 mm. Spring and summer rain is normal for vineyards above 700 m. Dry September weeks, together with selective crop thinning, supported the desired ripening and an orderly harvest.
Label / history
First produced in 2017, Cuordilava grew from the Dolce&Gabbana and Donnafugata partnership and their shared attachment to Sicily, craftsmanship and detail. Dolce&Gabbana drew on magma’s colour for the capsule and grosgrain ribbon. The label and box reinterpret traditional Sicilian-cart motifs, with Etna placed at the centre of a storybook landscape recalling storytellers’ chivalric tales and the stage sets of the Opera dei Pupi. Gold accents appear on the tissue paper and bottle collar.
