2020 Palmento Costanzo Cavaliere Etna Bianco DOC

You don't often see a wine from the south/southwestern facing slopes of Etna. The production area is less developed than the eastern and northern slopes. Yet, the soils here (at an older age than most of Mt. Etna's other communes) in combination with the higher elevations mean the wines are totally unique and rather different than their northern counterparts. 

This expression is rich and robust while maintaining mouth watering acidity- an combination that is perhaps only achievable on these southern facing slopes. 

Bouquet of orange blossom, citrus and tropical fruits with oregano and flinty notes.

Production area: C.da Cavaliere, Santa Maria di Licodia,
Mount Etna.
Exposition: south.
Altitude: 950 m a.s.l.
Grapes: Carricante 100%.
Training system: bush-training with chestnut poles.
Up to 100 years old vines.
Plantation density: on average 7000 vines/Ha.
Average yield: 50 quintals

Vinification: soft pressing and fermentation in stainless
steel tanks with indigenous yeasts.
Ageing: 12 months in stainless steel tanks and tonneaux
in contact with the fine lees and 8 months in the bottle.

In 2010 the Costanzo Family purchased an old Palmento nestled in the heart of the Contrada Santo Spirito, not far from the Passopisciaro village, on the famous North side of Mt Etna, along with a few hectares of old, pre-phylloxera vineyards. Following a careful and respectful restoration of the Palmento, the Family purchased the remaining hectares around the winery and replanted them using the same restorative philosophy that inspired the architecture of the Palmento: planting exclusively native grapes of the area (Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, and Catarratto), and using the ancient local “Alberello” system. Lastly, they purchased a small plot in Contrada Cavaliere, in the South-western side of the Volcano, well known for its Carricante vineyards.

The winery is run by Valeria Costanzo, her daughter Serena and an excellent team of local professionals lead by Sicilian winemaker Nicola Centonze. Farming is certified organic, and the entire winery has been recognized by the prestigious Equalitas Certification Program for its low environmental impact and virtuous social and economic practices