Giuseppe Russo took over the family's old Nerello Mascalese vineyards in 2005 after his father Girolamo died. Fifteen hectares of organically farmed vines between 650 and 780 metres on Etna's north slope produce sought-after single-vineyard reds including San Lorenzo and a Rina.
Signature wines: russo-san-lorenzo, russo-a-rina, russo-feudo
Address: Via Regina Margherita 78, 95012 Passopisciaro (CT), Sicily, Italy
Founded in 1900, Calabretta is one of Etna's oldest family wineries. The fourth generation farms 12.5 hectares of ungrafted old vines with copper and sulphur only, producing low-intervention wines from Nerello Mascalese that rank among the most authentic expressions of the north slope.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Randazzo estate. Contact via calabretta.net.
Signature wines: calabretta-gaio-gaio, calabretta-etna-rosso, calabretta-vigne-vecchie
Cottanera is a family estate on Etna's north slope producing both native Nerello-based Etna DOC wines and international varieties grown at high altitude. The boutique agriturismo Dimora Cottanera makes it a wine-tourism anchor on the Alcantara Valley rim.
Tasting: Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 17:00, booking essential. Guided vineyard, cellar and tasting experiences.
Signature wines: cottanera-barbazzale-bianco, cottanera-fatagione, cottanera-calderara
A historic estate on Etna's eastern slopes, Murgo introduced Sicily's most acclaimed traditional-method sparkling wine in 1990 using Nerello Mascalese. The 30-hectare property has been in the Scammacca del Murgo family since 1860.
Tasting: Wine tastings available Monday to Saturday 11:30 to 14:00. Restaurant and accommodation on site.
Signature wines: murgo-brut-metodo-classico, murgo-etna-rosso, murgo-etna-bianco
Belgian natural-wine pioneer Frank Cornelissen established his estate on Etna's north slope in 2001, working without sulphur at all. His Magma cuvee from ungrafted pre-phylloxera Nerello vines above 1,000 metres is among Sicily's most sought-after cult wines.
Tasting: Five tasting experiences from the Classic (5 wines, EU40) to the Magma private (6 crus including Grand Vin Magma, EU1,400 for up to 6 people). E-bike vineyard tours available. Book via pr@frankcornelissen.it.
Signature wines: cornelissen-magma, cornelissen-munjebel-rosso, cornelissen-munjebel-bianco
Founded in 1900, Calabretta is one of Etna's oldest family wineries. The fourth generation farms 12.5 hectares of ungrafted old vines with copper and sulphur only, producing low-intervention wines from Nerello Mascalese that rank among the most authentic expressions of the north slope.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Randazzo estate. Contact via calabretta.net.
Signature wines: calabretta-gaio-gaio, calabretta-etna-rosso, calabretta-vigne-vecchie
Cottanera is a family estate on Etna's north slope producing both native Nerello-based Etna DOC wines and international varieties grown at high altitude. The boutique agriturismo Dimora Cottanera makes it a wine-tourism anchor on the Alcantara Valley rim.
Tasting: Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 17:00, booking essential. Guided vineyard, cellar and tasting experiences.
Signature wines: cottanera-barbazzale-bianco, cottanera-fatagione, cottanera-calderara
A historic estate on Etna's eastern slopes, Murgo introduced Sicily's most acclaimed traditional-method sparkling wine in 1990 using Nerello Mascalese. The 30-hectare property has been in the Scammacca del Murgo family since 1860.
Tasting: Wine tastings available Monday to Saturday 11:30 to 14:00. Restaurant and accommodation on site.
Signature wines: murgo-brut-metodo-classico, murgo-etna-rosso, murgo-etna-bianco
Belgian natural-wine pioneer Frank Cornelissen established his estate on Etna's north slope in 2001, working without sulphur at all. His Magma cuvee from ungrafted pre-phylloxera Nerello vines above 1,000 metres is among Sicily's most sought-after cult wines.
Tasting: Five tasting experiences from the Classic (5 wines, EU40) to the Magma private (6 crus including Grand Vin Magma, EU1,400 for up to 6 people). E-bike vineyard tours available. Book via pr@frankcornelissen.it.
Signature wines: cornelissen-magma, cornelissen-munjebel-rosso, cornelissen-munjebel-bianco
Founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti, COS pioneered biodynamic farming and amphora fermentation in Sicily. Their Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG from Nero d'Avola and Frappato is the defining expression of the appellation.
Tasting: Winery visits by reservation only. Contact via the COS website or telephone (+39 0932 876145).
Signature wines: cos-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, cos-pithos-rosso, cos-rami
Arianna Occhipinti started with one hectare along the SP68 road in 2004 and has grown to 40 hectares farmed organically and biodynamically. Her SP68 Rosso blending Frappato and Nero d'Avola is among Italy's most celebrated natural wines.
Tasting: Visits by reservation year-round, mornings or afternoons. Vineyard walk, cellar tour and wine and oil tasting with olives and bruschetta. Languages: Italian, English, French. Contact +39 0932 1865519.
Signature wines: occhipinti-sp68-rosso, occhipinti-sp68-bianco, occhipinti-siccagno
