Eruzione 1614 Pinot Nero

Vineyard and terroir

The wine comes from Sciaranuova at Castiglione di Sicilia (CT), on Mount Etna. Its small parcel—the smallest among the Sciaranuova terraces—contains 3,000 Pinot Nero vines and lies beside the lava field created by the historic eruption that began in 1614 and continued for ten years.

The wine page places the vineyard at 820 m, while the 2023 technical sheet gives a more specific range of 825–835 m. The terrain is well positioned and exposed, with black lava sands, abundant mineral material and a coarse structure. Woodland and more recent lava flows surround the site.

The vines are trained on espaliers and Guyot pruned, with a planting density of 5,050 vines per hectare. The 2023 yield was 42 q/ha, equivalent to 4.2 tonnes per hectare.

Cultivation follows organic-agriculture criteria and SOStain® protocols. Spontaneous ground cover increases organic matter and supports soil microfauna. Vine health is managed with small quantities of sulphur and copper, while beneficial insects, mating disruption, zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts are used against pests. The wine carries organic-wine and SOStain® certification.

Grapes

100% Pinot Nero. The variety has been cultivated in the area for centuries, although historically neither continuously nor extensively.

Vinification

The 2023 grapes were harvested on 16 September and collected in crates holding approximately 14 kg. They were chilled to 10 °C, sorted by hand and destemmed without crushing. Fermentation took place in concrete tanks, with the temperature gradually increased to 26 °C. Light manual punch-downs accompanied 13 days of skin contact, after which the wine was pressed in a basket press.

Ageing

Maturation took place in stainless steel and Clayver vessels, with 25% of the wine in Clayver. Bottling was completed in May 2025.

Technical data

Vintage: 2023
Alcohol: 13% vol.
Total acidity: 5 g/L
pH: 3.54
Bottle: 0.75 L
Bottle weight: 460 g
Closure: single-piece natural DIAM® cork
Ageing potential: 5–10 years

Tasting profile

Flint and ink lead the aromatic profile, followed by wild plum and cherry. The palate is lively yet graceful and elegant, with tannins that combine a velvety texture with a reactive, energetic character—the wine's “good vibrations.”

Serving and pairing

Pair with quail, woodcock or other refined game dishes. It also suits fresh caciocavallo and cauliflower sformato.

Vintage notes

Etna's 2023 crop was decidedly smaller than average. Rain during May and June affected the delicate flowering and fruit-set period in these high-altitude vineyards, leaving fewer bunches than usual, though the surviving grapes remained very healthy. July heat did not disrupt the sensitive stages of ripening, which proceeded evenly. A long summer followed by a dry autumn produced intense, substantial grapes.