Etna DOCNerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, CatarrattoFounded 1734Benanti Viticoltori S.r.l., partly held by Brave Wine S.r.l. (the Renzo Rosso family's holding company)Etna 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 an early bottler of single-contrada Etna Rosso, producing distinct cuvées from plots including Calderara Sottana, Guardiola and Feudo di Mezzo.
Tasting: By appointment, Monday to Friday. Contact via [email protected].
Signature wines: Tenuta delle Terre Nere Calderara Sottana, Tenuta delle Terre Nere Guardiola, Tenuta delle 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 Arcuria Etna Rosso from 52 acres of ungrafted vines.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Passopisciaro estate. Contact via [email protected].
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, including the Archineri Etna Bianco from a single Carricante plot in the Archineri contrada.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Solicchiata winery on Etna's north slope. Contact via the Pietradolce website.
Signature wines: Pietradolce Archineri Etna Bianco, Pietradolce Etna Rosso, Pietradolce Vigna 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 [email protected] or call 0942 983142.
Signature wines: Girolamo Russo San Lorenzo, Girolamo Russo 'A Rina, Girolamo Russo Feudo
