Profile

The origin of viticulture on Mount Etna dates back more than 2,000 years, when the Greeks introduced their culture of wine to Eastern Sicily, but the birth of fine wine is of course more recent and can be traced back to the 1980s.

Benanti is considered a pioneer of fine winemaking here on Etna, having invested since 1988 in the production of very high quality wines. Today, all the most prestigious wine critics agree on the crucial role that this estate has played in “putting Etna on the global fine wine map”. Benanti wines can be enjoyed in hundreds of fine dining establishments across the world, and the winery continues to grow its reputation year on year.

But, what is so special about the Etna wine region? In essence, there are three key elements that are unique to Etna and differentiate this wine region from the rest of Sicily.

These are:

1. Etna’s soil. Etna’s vineyards are planted on black, volcanic sand, which confer minerality and lightness to our wines

2. Etna’s climate. Etna is a high mountain located near the sea. Here, we have significant shifts in temperatures between day and night, strong winds and high luminosity. Therefore, our grapes mature slowly and retain freshness and elegance

3. Etna’s grapes. The main grapes grown on Etna (Nerello Mascalese andCarricante) are indigenous to this volcano and can rarely be found elsewhere

The combination of mineral-rich soils, a cool climate and high-quality grapes results in the production of world-class wines, known for their finesse, elegance, versatility and clear volcanic identity. In addition, the high drainage capacity of such soils, the abundant luminosity and the constant ventilation create a very healthy environment, ideal for organic farming practices and biodiversity.