Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio

WINE
Etna Rosso is a blend of mostly Nerello Mascalese, along with Nerello Cappuccio, selected from Benanti’s vineyards from the Northern to the Southern slopes.

VINEYARDS
Vines are located on the northern, south-eastern and southwestern slopes of Mount Etna. 10 to 60 years old vines, trained with free standing bush (“alberello”) and spurred cordon systems.

VINTAGE NOTES
The 2023 growing season unfolded with an early burst of warmth and scarce rains, setting the stage for an accelerated vine growth. However, from May to mid-June, a relentless cascade of rain and cool temperatures painted a landscape ripe for severe downy mildew. This affliction marred flowering and diminished yields. Regions that harvested early faced less devastation, while later areas bore losses of up to 60%. Despite this overall challenging growing season, the harvest arrived ahead of schedule, with grapes reaching a satisfying ripeness, a testament to resilience amid adversity at Benanti.

WINEMAKING
Fermentation occured at a controlled temperature of 25°C in stainless steel vats, with a 20-21 days long maceration, using patented selected indigenous yeasts. About 80% of the wine then matured in stainless steel tanks, while about 20% matures in used French oak barriques for 8-10 months).

Benanti Winery

At the end of the 1800’s, Giuseppe Benanti, grandfather of Dr. Giuseppe Benanti, began the production of wines on one of his father’s old farms on the slopes of Mount Etna, at Viagrande (Catania). In 1988, Giuseppe Benanti revived the family’s old passion, with an extensive and selective study of the Etnean soils highly devoted to viticulture. He also investigated particular clones of indigenous vines and new oenological techniques to reproduce ancient fragrances using the most modern practices of vinification, in a perfect union of history and reality. From this five year study, wines of unique taste were produced recreating old flavors and keeping them intact over time.

Our wines have a strong personality and carry the culture and passion for wine of the Benanti family, always driven by respect for the places, terroir and old 'palmenti'. This passion, after revealing the marvels of the Etnean territory, has guided them to Pantelleria and then Pachino. Today the company, also run by Giuseppe Benanti’s sons (pictured above), Antonio and Salvino, is placed in a market range of high quality level products and the request for its wines is strongly increasing. This is mainly due to the quality of its wines, known throughout Italy and abroad, and attested by many awards given annually by the most important national and international competitions.