About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Riesling comes from Sciaranuova in Castiglione di Sicilia (CT), where 4,500 Rhine Riesling vines were planted on terraces beside the sciara created by the eruption that began in 1614. That eruption continued for ten years, making it the longest recorded eruption in the volcano’s history. The vineyard lies at 815 m above sea level.
The soils are black with lava sands, exceptionally rich in minerals and marked by a coarse, substantial structure. Woodland and more recent lava flows surround the site. The vines are planted at 5,050 plants per hectare and trained on an espalier with Guyot pruning. Yield is 65 quintals per hectare, equivalent to 6.5 tonnes per hectare.
Cultivation follows organic farming principles and the SOStain® protocol. Wild ground cover is maintained to increase organic matter and support soil microfauna. Vine health is managed with small amounts of sulphur and copper, while beneficial insects, mating disruption, zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts are used for pest control. The 2023 wine is certified organic and SOStain®.
Grapes
100% Riesling Renano. The first vintage was 2014.
Vinification
Harvest took place on 20 September. The grapes were collected in 13–15 kg crates, immediately cooled to 8°C and selected by hand. After destemming, they underwent approximately six hours of skin contact followed by gentle pressing. The settled must was racked and fermented in stainless steel at approximately 15–17°C.
Ageing
The wine matured in stainless-steel vats and remained on its fine lees for 10 months. Bâtonnage was performed every two weeks during the first six months. The 2023 vintage was bottled in September 2024 under a STELVIN® Deluxe closure.
Technical data
- Vintage: 2023
- Alcohol: 12.5% vol.
- Residual sugar: 2.25 g/L
- Total acidity: 6.25 g/L
- pH: 3.17
- Bottle: 750 ml, weighing 460 g
- Ageing potential: 7–10 years
Tasting profile
Pale in colour with green reflections. The youthful aroma combines white apple, plum, lemon and yellow flowers. The palate is fully dry, with measured rather than excessive acidity and a distinctive mineral character.
Serving and pairing
Its pronounced fruit and lively acidity suit clean, direct flavours: baked mackerel, steamed sea bream, rice with green vegetables and raw vegetables. Suggested international pairings include sashimi and quesadilla.
Vintage notes
Production on Etna in 2023 was distinctly below average. Rain during May and June affected flowering and fruit set in these high-altitude vineyards, leaving fewer bunches than usual, although the grapes remained very healthy. July heat did not disrupt the delicate ripening stages, which progressed evenly. A long summer followed by a dry autumn produced intense, concentrated grapes.
Label / history
The name refers to the historic eruption that began in 1614 and continued for ten years. The vineyard terraces stand at the edge of the resulting lava flow. This bottling is presented as the first Riesling produced on Etna and in Sicily.