Pietradolce

Located in Solicchiata on the northern side of the volcano, Pietradolce unquestionably has some of the most beautiful vineyards in the world. Their steep, terraced vineyards and dark, stony volcanic soils are home to indigenous pre-phylloxera vines, some of which are over 100 years old. Their delicious, crisp, and racy white wines, (Etna Bianco) are made from Carricante grapes and are teeming with minerals and salty energy. The reds, (Etna Rosso) are made from the local Nerello Mascalese grape, which makes superb, age-worthy reds. In fact, Etna Rosso has long been known as the “Burgundy of Sicily”, because of its likeness to the great wines of that region. You could liken it to Pinot Noir on steroids, and many years ago a few unscrupulous Barolo producers would venture down to Etna to bring back barrels of Nerello Mascalese to blend in with their Barolo to soften it out a bit..!!

The jewel in the Pietradolce crown is their prized single vineyard red, Vigna Barbagalli, which is perhaps the smallest, most peaceful & truly mesmeric vineyard you may ever visit. Nestled in a natural amphi-theatre of volcanic soil and rock nearly a kilometre high on the northern flank of the volcano, it is blessed with small, gnarled bush vines between 80-140 years old. It is tiny, takes less than 5 minutes to walk across, and is surrounded by wild figs, apricots, pears and hazlenuts.  Production of this wine was initially miniscule, 800 bottles a year, and is now a bit more but still  small at only 2,000 bottles. And a recent addition is their Rampante Rosso, a beguiling red from a recovered plot of 80 year old vines a little lower down the slopes of the volcano.

Pietradolce is no longer a secret of Sicily or indeed Italy and has been highly acclaimed by both Italian and international wine critics alike. In fact, a previous vintage of the single vineyard Barbagalli was given 100 points by James Suckling, one of Italy’s top wine critics. The 2011 vintage was voted the best red wine in Italy by four of the country’s best wine guides, and the 2014 vintage was rated Etna’s best red by Monica Larner, (97 points), writing in Robert Parker / The Wine Advocate.

 They also make a wonderful rosato, which is great with food..!!

 Production is tiny, and as such, demand always outstrips supply, so these wines are ones to have, keep and treasure, and of course enjoy drinking..!! 

To find out more about this amazing and unique winery, please click here to visit Pietradolce's website: