Tasting Notes
Mount Etna in Sicily commonly produces reds dominated by Nerello Mascalese with smaller amounts of Nerello Cappuccio. This wine, however, is 100% Nerello Cappuccio. The wine is super savoury and reasonably tannic too, showing characters of tar, sweet spice and stone. Minerality is plentiful on this extraordinarily unique wine. Pair with beef or game. - Chris L
Benanti is one of the most venerable and pioneering names on Mount Etna, with roots that trace back generations in the Catania region and a modern rebirth beginning in 1988 under Giuseppe Benanti. Today, the estate is led by his twin sons Antonio and Salvino, and encompasses vineyards on all four slopes of Etna, showcasing the remarkable diversity of the volcano’s terroirs through their celebrated “Contrada Selection” wines.
The focus is entirely on indigenous varieties—Carricante for whites, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio for reds—farmed organically with low-input viticulture and handled gently in the cellar with native yeasts and restrained intervention. Their philosophy is rooted in allowing each slope’s geology, climate and altitude to express itself clearly, producing wines that privilege finesse and minerality over sheer power.
From flagship bottlings like Pietra Marina to benchmark reds such as Serra della Contessa and Rovittello, Benanti crafts wines of elegance, precision and longevity. The estate is widely credited with spearheading Etna’s modern renaissance, demonstrating the potential of its volcanic vineyards to produce world-class, terroir-driven wines.
| Product Type | Wine Red Other Varietals & Blends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Sicily |
| Sub Region | Etna |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Minimal Intervention |