About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Eruzione 1614 Pinot Nero comes from Sciaranuova at Castiglione di Sicilia, on Mount Etna. The smallest plot among the estate’s 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. Pinot Nero has been grown in the area for centuries, although never extensively or continuously.
The vineyard stands at 820 m on the general wine profile and at 825–835 m for the 2023 vintage. Its black lava sands are rich in minerals and large structural elements. Woodland and more recent lava flows surround the site. The vines are planted at 5,050 plants/ha and trained on an espalier with Guyot pruning. The 2023 yield was 42 quintals/ha, equivalent to 4.2 t/ha.
Cultivation follows organic farming principles and SOStain® protocols. Wild ground cover helps increase organic matter and supports soil microfauna. Vine health is managed with small quantities of sulphur and copper, while phytophagous insects are controlled through beneficial insects, mating disruption and natural treatments including zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts. The wine is certified organic and SOStain®.
Grapes
100% Pinot Nero.
Vinification
The 2023 grapes were harvested on 16 September into crates holding approximately 14 kg. They were chilled to 10°C, selected by hand and destemmed without crushing. Fermentation took place in concrete tanks, with the temperature gradually raised to 26°C. Gentle 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 scheduled for May 2025, using a single-piece natural DIAM® cork.
Technical data
- Appellation: Terre Siciliane I.G.T.
- Alcohol: 13% vol.
- Total acidity: 5 g/L
- pH: 3.54
- Bottle size: 750 ml
- Bottle weight: 460 g
- Ageing potential: 5–10 years
Tasting profile
The aromatic profile combines flint and ink with wild plum and cherry. It is a lively yet graceful and elegant red, with a velvety texture and responsive tannins.
Serving and pairing
Pair with quail, woodcock and other refined game dishes. It also suits fresh caciocavallo and cauliflower sformato.
Vintage notes
The 2023 Etna growing season produced decidedly below-average quantities. The crop was already small after flowering, possibly because May and June rainfall affected flowering and fruit set in the high-altitude vineyards. Bunch numbers were lower than usual, but the grapes remained very healthy. July heat did not disrupt the delicate ripening stages, allowing homogeneous maturation. A long summer and dry autumn produced intense, concentrated grapes.
Label / history
The name recalls the eruption that began in 1614 and lasted ten years, forming the lava field beside the vineyard. The first vintage was 2012.