Calabretta
Nerello Cappuccio
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
Volcanic soils of Etna and mature vines show through this rose hips, red flowered and lightly spice driven medium bodied red. Savory while fruit forward.
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.
Press
2015:
95 points - Antonio Galloni
APPELLATION
Terre Siciliane IGT
VARIETAL
100% Nerello Cappuccio
ABV
12%
ALTITUDE
750 meters
SOIL
Volcanic
PHILOSOPHY
Organic
AVERAGE AGE
70-80 years