2021 Girolamo Russo, ‘A’ Rina’ Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy

Producer: Giuseppe Russo founded the estate in 2005, a tribute to his father Girolamo, who sold charcoal & grapes from the family vineyards around the town of Passopisciaro. A trained Pianiste, following the unexpected death of his father, returned to his roots  farming ancient vines on the slopes of Mt. Etna.

Place: The vineyards expand over 18 hectares , located on the Northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, at an elevation of 650-780 meters above sea level, planted on ‘sciara’ ancient lava flow. The cellar is located in his hometown of Passopisciaro.

Cultivation: Organic practices

Bottling: A’ Rina, meaning sand in local dialect, honoring the volcanic, sandy soils that the grapes grow from. This wine is made from a combination of estate plots, vines ranging from 20 to 100 years of age.

Varietal: Nerello Mascalese 90%, Nerello Cappuccio 10%

Soil: Volcanic, sand rich in minerals.

Winemaking: destemmed fruit, fermentation using indigenous yeast, 10 day maceration, aged in concrete & barrel for 1 year.

Tasting Notes: Fresh Wild Berry – Earthy Minerals – Sweet Smoke – Orange Peel