Animaetnea, Etna, Sicily
Harvest time at Animaetnea
Animaetnea, Etna, Sicily
Etna is a mysterious and special place with a unique ecosystem characterized by an extraordinary climatic variability. It is home to Animaetnea, a 20-hectare estate with 14 hectares of vineyards situated in the area of Contrada Santo Spirito di Passopisciaro, on the northern side of Etna.
In this context we find the impervious and wild territory of Contrada Santo Spirito where century old vineyards of Nerello Mascalese, Carricante and Minnella, planted to the traditional alberello viticulture, typical of the Etnean territory.
All the vineyards follow the traditional model of alberello viticulture, typical of the Etnean territory. Here the vines are not arranged in rows: each is an individual single vine positioned at equal distance from the others, supported by a chestnut pole.
The grapes are almost all un-grafted and the lush stems are the result of the lava-soaked soil. The vines which sit at an altitude of 700 meters above-sea-level, planted to Etna’s volcanic soils, enjoy good ventilation. These are key elements that over time have protected the vines from the ravages of phylloxera and powdery mildew.
The area is characterized by three distinct geological formations: in its largest area, the soil is of ancient formation dating back some fifteen thousand years, a mix of black lava sands extraordinarily rich in minerals, surrounded by a rich biodiversity of woods.
According to the criteria of organic farming protocols the ground is covered with a bed of wildflowers to increase organic matter and the soil microfauna. Sulfur and copper are used in small amounts as pest prevention, while sexual confusion and the application of natural protections such as zeolite, kaolin and plant extracts are also used.
The climate alternates between dry and stormy conditions, while the force of winds manifest itself almost daily, cutting through its rugged terrain. The exposure to sea-breezes combined with the high altitude create a unique microclimate with temperature variations that can differ some 25°C between day and night. The abundant rainfall that bathes each side of Etna throughout the year makes this area a natural oasis, with cold winters, cool summers, and annual precipitation of about 1,000 mm and more.
Etna is where balance is achieved by a combination of violent and primitive elements. Fire and air, traversed by very hot winds from the volcano's mouth and the cold from its summit that sweep across the slopes of the mountain, raising dust that is both black and providential. A mantle that covers the earth with fertility and settles like a fine dust on its vineyards. Amidst lavas, ashes and brooms, each contrada has its own character, its own voice engraved in the terroir that surrounds it.
For more information visit:
animaetnea.it
@animaetneawinery