Solicchiata, Etna DOC
Frank Cornelissen's wines are produced with no added sulfur (SO2), one of the strictest no-sulfur philosophies in Italian wine. The MunJebel and Magma wines show the result: very low total SO2 levels. The wines require careful storage at consistent temperatures and have a shorter drinking window than conventionally stabilised wines.
Tip: Store Cornelissen wines at 12-14 C without temperature fluctuation. Drink the entry-tier MunJebel within three to five years; allocate the Magma cuvees 5-10 years of careful cellaring.
Vittoria, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Arianna Occhipinti adds minimal sulfur only at bottling, as documented by her importers De Maison Selections and Caves de Pyrene. The SP68 range and single varietals are among Italy's benchmark minimal-sulfur wines, achieving stability through farming quality and gentle winemaking rather than chemical additions.
Tip: Transport Occhipinti wines with care; the minimal-sulfur approach means the wines are sensitive to heat and light during shipping. Buy from temperature-controlled specialist retailers.
Calderara, Etna DOC
Calabretta's Etna Rosso and Riserva are made with minimal sulfur additions, no fining and no filtration. The pre-phylloxera alberello vines' natural vitality reduces the need for winemaking stabilisation. The wines carry the characteristic Etna volcanic minerality with no chemical overlay.
Tip: Calabretta Riserva benefits from 5-8 years of cellaring despite its minimal-intervention status; the high-altitude Calderara fruit has the structure for patient ageing.
Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDVittoria, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
COS (Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti) has farmed biodynamically and organically since the 1990s-2000s. ICEA organic certified. Their amphora (pithos) fermentation and biodynamic field preparations are among the most documented in Italian natural wine. The Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG is the benchmark biodynamic-influenced wine in Sicily.
Tip: COS does not publicise cellar appointments widely; contact via the estate email for visits. The Frappato and Pithos Rosso lines show the biodynamic farming most clearly in their aromatic lift.
Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDCastiglione di Sicilia, Etna DOC north
Terre di Trente farms biodynamically on the north face of Etna in Castiglione di Sicilia. Pre-phylloxera alberello Nerello Mascalese is farmed without synthetic inputs. Biodynamic preparations are applied seasonally. The estate is certified organic; biodynamic work is per estate communication without current Demeter documentation publicly available.
Tip: Known to natural wine sommeliers in Catania and Rome; allocations small and available through specialist UK importers and Italian natural wine shops.
Biodynamic PracticingORGANIC CERTIFIEDSolicchiata, Etna DOC
Frank Cornelissen has farmed organically and with biodynamic inspiration since establishing his Etna estate in 2001. The vines are pre-phylloxera alberello at 600-900 metres on the north face of Etna. No added sulfur, native yeasts, no filtration. Certified organic; the specific certifier is not named on the public estate site.
Tip: Cornelissen's wines are no-added-sulfur; drink within three to five years of vintage for freshest expression or in a narrow window of cellaring. Available via specialist importers only.
