Wine from Donnafugata

In eastern Sicily, where Mount Etna is located: the highest active volcano in Europe (over 3,300 m), Donnafugata has chosen the northern side to produce mountain, volcanic and Mediterranean wines. 

In this estate, between 730 metres and 750 metres above sea level, Donnafugata can count on about 21 hectares of vineyards, all in the DOC area, divided into 6 districts: Montelaguardia, Statella, Camporè and Calderara in the municipality of Randazzo, Marchesa and Verzella in the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia. The cultivated varieties are the native ones representative of the territory: Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and in small quantities Nerello Cappuccio. 

The wine-growing landscape on Etna is characterized by terraces and dry-stone walls in lava stone (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage). There is a low grown or traditional bush trained form of cultivation, including the quincunx form (dense chequered planting with about 7,000 plants per hectare). The age of the vineyard can exceed 70 years. The volcanic terrains, on which lapilli and ash continue to settle, are sandy and guarantee excellent drainage. 

From the point of view of climate, the northern side of the volcano has a lower average annual rainfall than the eastern side. Fresh and windy summers contribute to the production of healthy grapes. The strong temperature fluctuations in August and September, between day and night, favour the production of grapes with great aromatic freshness and unique personality.

With its eruptions, Etna produces “sciare”, accumulations of lava, that through long physical-chemical processes give rise to the sandy, and therefore cultivable, soils on the slopes of the volcano. Each lava flow, that took place in different historical periods, determines a specific composition of the terrains: this is the imprint that makes the wine from a micro-territory unique. The two crus, Fragore Contrada Montelaguardia and Contrada Marchesa Etna Rosso Doc, have their roots in very ancient lava flows.