Etna DOCNerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, CatarrattoFounded 1734Etna DOC
One of Etna's pioneering estates, Benanti has been producing wine on the volcanic slopes since 1734. Their single-contrada whites from Milo are benchmarks for Etna Bianco Superiore, and their Nerello reds helped launch the modern Etna renaissance.
Tasting: Tuesday through Sunday by reservation. Three tasting programmes including Get to Know Etna, Contrade Selection and Library Vintages. Tours of the historic palmento and vineyard.
Signature wines: benanti-pietramarina, benanti-rovittello, benanti-serra-della-contessa
Etna DOCNerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, CatarrattoFounded 2002Etna DOC
Founded in 2002 by Marc de Grazia on Etna's north slope at Randazzo, Tenuta delle Terre Nere was instrumental in establishing the single-contrada bottlings that made Etna internationally famous. Old-vine Nerello from plots like Calderara Sottana and Guardiola set the benchmark.
Tasting: By appointment, Monday to Friday. Contact via visite@tenutaterrenere.com.
Signature wines: terre-nere-calderara-sottana, terre-nere-guardiola, terre-nere-feudo-di-mezzo
Etna DOCNerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, ChardonnayFounded 2000Etna DOC
Founded in 2000 by the late Andrea Franchetti at approximately 1,000 metres on Etna's north slope, Passopisciaro produces site-expressive single-contrada Nerello reds including the rare Franchetti red from the high-altitude Solicchiata plots.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Passopisciaro estate. Contact via the Vini Franchetti website.
Signature wines: passopisciaro-franchetti, passopisciaro-passorosso, passopisciaro-passobianco
Etna DOCNerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, CatarrattoFounded 2004Etna DOC
Alberto Aiello Graci has been farming old-vine Nerello Mascalese and Carricante on Etna's north slope since 2004, producing single-contrada wines including the benchmark Arcuria Etna Rosso from 52 acres of ungrafted vines.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Passopisciaro estate. Contact via info@graci.eu.
Signature wines: graci-arcuria, graci-barbabecchi, graci-etna-bianco
Etna DOCNerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, CatarrattoFounded 2005Etna DOC
Founded in 2005 by Michele Faro at Solicchiata on Etna's north slope, Pietradolce works with old-vine Nerello Mascalese and Carricante across several contrade, producing one of the island's most age-worthy single-vineyard Biancos in the Archineri.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Solicchiata winery on Etna's north slope. Contact via the Pietradolce website.
Signature wines: pietradolce-archineri, pietradolce-etna-rosso, pietradolce-barbagalli
Etna DOCNerello Mascalese, Carricante, Catarratto, Inzolia, GrecanicoFounded 2005ORGANIC CERTIFIEDEtna DOC
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.
Tasting: Vineyard visits and tastings with local cold cuts, cheeses and homemade bread. Contact info@girolamorusso.it or call 0942 983142.
Signature wines: russo-san-lorenzo, russo-a-rina, russo-feudo
