Benanti, Etna, Italy
Some of Benanti’s old vines are planted to small lava-stone-walled terraces of sandy volcanic soil.
Benanti, Etna, Italy
The Benanti family can proudly claim to be one of the pioneers of Etna’s winemaking, instrumental in its viticulture throughout history, contributing first hand to its evolution. Today the estate is managed by Giuseppe Benanti’s two sons, Antonio and Salvino Benanti.
“Etna has always inspired winemakers, enthusiasts, and wine lovers. Each slope of the mountain has its own history and presents an inimitable set of soil and climatic characteristics. Through the wines of our Contrade Selection we strive to express the excellence and uniqueness of each side of the volcano, respecting the century-old of winemaking traditions.” says Antonio Benanti.
According to the Benanti brothers, the “know-how” to making wine on Etna has its roots in time and territory. The vines are indigenous; the grapes are harvested by hand; the high planting densities are combined with low yields; the winemaking, careful and prudent, takes place with the help of propriety autochthonous yeasts that have been selected in the vineyard and cellar.
“Making wine on Etna obliges a profound respect for the unique historical vocations on each flank of the volcano, and always allowing yourself to be guided by the territory and the inseparable centuries-old bond of vine and slope,” says Salvino Benanti.
The top and most distinct red wines come from ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines, which vary between 95-115 years old. The blend of Nerello Mascalese (90%-85%), and Nerello Cappuccio (10%-15%), Etna’s noble century old indigenous red varieties are co-planted in the same vineyard, with a sandy, volcanic soil, rich in minerals, with sub-acid reaction. The area’s mountain climate is humid and rather rainy in the colder season, snowy at times, with good ventilation and very significant diurnal temperature range.
Rovittello Particella No. 341 Etna DOC Rosso Riserva, representing one of the estate’s top labels comes from almost one hectare (0.82) of vines planted at Contrada Dafara Galluzzo in Castiglione di Sicilia, where only red native varieties are grown, using the traditional bush trained alberello system. Serra Della Contessa Particella No. 587 Etna DOC Rosso Riserva, a 1ha of alberello vines planted to a very steep vineyard, at Contrada Monte Serra in Viagrande, taking its name from an ancient volcanic cone, producing the estate’s other most prestigious red label in a limited number of bottles.
Etna DOC Bianco Superiore Pietra Marina produced form 100% Carricante, represents Etna’s noble indigenous white grape variety situated in Milo at Contrada Rinazzo. The alberello vines, in some cases reaching over 90 years of age, are planted to small lava-stone-walled terraces of sandy volcanic soil. The east facing vineyard overlooking the Ionian sea, sits at an elevation of c. 800 m a.s.l. The wine’s name Pietra Marina, which recalls volcanic landscapes, flintstones, minerals and saline sea breezes, is now unanimously considered one of the most typical, elegant and age-worthy white wines in Italy.
The winery has an annual production of about 250,000 bottles that are distributed throughout the most important markets worldwide.
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