Exceptional vineyard on the slopes of Etna
"Discover the exceptional characteristics of the Sicilian vineyard".
The Vineyard
The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 680 m and is surrounded by olive trees to protect it from frost. The soil is mainly composed of very fine volcanic sand and volcanic rocks.
This type of soil is very important for water drainage and, especially when it rains, this soil releases minerals to enrich the plants.
The area is 20 acres, of which 18 acres are planted. The vines are 50 to 60 years old, with a yield of 5hI for the entire area.
The vines have the rootstock SO 4, a variety resulting from a cross between Vitis berlandieri and Vitis riparia. This rootstock is well suited to sandy and clay-limestone soils. They are moderately resistant to drought.
Pruning is done at the end of January, beginning of February with a decreasing moon.
The vine is pruned in gobelet or double guyot, depending on the management of the plant.
The Climate
The climate of Etna is alpine in a Mediterranean geographical area. This climate is characterized by various factors that greatly influence it.
Temperatures are very varied with cold and snowy winters and hot summers.
During summer nights, temperature changes are very important, going from a temperature of 38-40°C to 16-20°C during the night, which makes the ripening of the grapes very long.
The Nerello Mascalese is perfectly adapted to these conditions. In addition, the mistral, a cold wind that blows during the night and the sirocco, a warm wind coming from Africa is more present during the day or in spring, facilitate the ripening of the grapes.
