Calabretta
Gaio Gaio
For four generations, the Calabretta family has grown grapes in accordance with the centuries-old traditions natural farming methods of Etna. The mountain itself is omnipresent with the vineyards criss-crossed by volcanic stone walls. The volcanic soil of the area, combined with the dramatic temperature differential from day to night, yield grapes of singular expression. Calabretta’s vineyards have evolved naturally so that the vines are intermingled with olive trees and fruit orchards—theirs is a vineyard truly in touch with its surrounding environment.
In 1997, Massimo & Massimiliano (son & nephew of Salvatore & Concetta), built a new winery and started to bottle and sell the Calabretta wines all over the world. Today, they continue to make wines of Etna Rosso and Etna Rosato but have also experimented with new single-variety wines, including Climax and Contrada varieties.
Tasting Notes
Easy drinking, but an obvious Etna Rosso quality. Light bodied with loads of fruit, light forest floor, and savory notes.
Cultivation
The wines from Calabretta are firmly rooted in the traditionalist camp. Organic farming, aging for extended periods in old, large format barrels, and zero intervention lets these wines speak transparently about their volcanic origins.
Vinification
Natural malolactic fermentation.
Aging
Aged in oak barrels.
APPELLATION
Vino Rosso
VARIETAL
Nerello Mascalese
ABV
13%
SOIL
Volcanic soil
PHILOSOPHY
Organic
AVERAGE AGE
70-80 years