Notify me
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del PinoRecent investment in Mount Etna has seen the arrival of ambitious producers from all around the globe armed with significant financial resources and modern winemaking techniques. While much has changed on the volcano over the last two decades, pockets remain where time seems to stand still. Driving down the dusty road to Masseria del Pino, Cesare Fulvio and Federica Turillo’s little farm upslope from Randazzo, it is hard to tell which century we are living in. This is Etna in all its pastoral serenity, with only the sights, scents, and sounds of the mountain to stimulate the senses.
This simple, peaceful lifestyle is precisely what the couple envisioned when they settled here in 2005. Catania natives, they left their jobs—Cesare as a commercial air pilot, Federica as an archery instructor—to cultivate the two hectares of terraced vineyards at Contrada Pino, elevation 800 meters. They renovated the property’s ancient palmento, a traditional farmhouse featuring an old press and large fermentation vats made of lava stone, and began to work the 120-year-old vines, plus some olive trees and vegetable gardens, according to organic and biodynamic principles.
Upon bringing in the grapes—Nerello Mascalese with a bit of Nerello Cappuccio—Cesare and Federica stomp them by foot in these vats. An open-air fermentation begins, then the must is ultimately pressed off into old 500-liter tonneaux, where the wine stays until bottling. These primitive techniques have changed little since vines first appeared in Contrada Pino in the ninth century, and one can imagine this is what the wine might have tasted like back then. It is a profound rosso, richly flavored with black cherry, balsamic spices, and a smokiness that recalls the fresh-laid-tar suggestions often found in young Barolo. Its intensely gripping, yet silty-fine tannin is a trademark of wines from Contrada Pino. Cesare proudly remembers when an elderly local identified his red in a blind tasting: “This wine hails from Contrada Pino!” the man exclaimed. For Cesare and Federica, there could be no better compliment.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio |
Appellation: | Vino Rosso |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sicily |
Producer: | Masseria del Pino |
Winemaker: | Federica Turillo and Cesare Fulvio |
Vineyard: | 1.7 ha total, 120 years |
Soil: | Volcanic |
Aging: | Wine is aged in neutral 500L oak barrels for 15 months |
Farming: | Biodynamic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Italy | Sicily
A rosé made via ancient methods from ashy soils high on Mount Etna.
2022 Salina Malvasia “Verticale”
Italy | Sicily
Soaring, imposing, and intense—I am looking forward to following it over the next decade.
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Italy | Sicily
Delicate, stimulating, and completely dry—it’s a ravishing aperitivo, but works with anything from the ocean.
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
This red’s satiny texture allows it to gloss over the palate with utter delicacy, while suggestions of smoke, white pepper, and brandied cherries linger after each sip.
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Italy | Sicily
This old-vine Carricante gets its luxurious golden hue from four days of skin contact, a traditional process on Etna that really brings out the distinctive scents of this special place.
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Italy | Sicily
This low-alcohol Etna white shows subtly smoky aroma complemented by notes of yellow fruit, herbs, and wild broom.
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata’s first release from the “Vigna degli Architetti” delivers deep, ripe fruit with elegance and grace.
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Italy | Sicily
You’ll find whiffs of both Burgundy and Barolo in this single-vineyard bottling from vines planted in 1930, but it is unmistakably Etna: smoky and suave.
2020 Spumante Ancestrale
Italy | Sicily
A sparkling wine from Mount Etna that tastes like a day spent in the sun. Notes of juicy blood orange and pineapple have salty, flinty inflections from the small vineyard’s volcanic home by the sea.
2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Italy | Sicily
Delicate floral perfume, medium body, and velvety tannin.
About The Producer
Masseria del Pino
Driving down the dusty road to Masseria del Pino, Cesare Fulvio and Federica Turillo’s little farm upslope from Randazzo, it is hard to tell which century we are living in. This is Etna in all its pastoral serenity, with only the sights, scents, and sounds of the mountain to stimulate the senses.
This simple, peaceful lifestyle is precisely what the couple envisioned when they settled here in 2005. Catania natives, they left their jobs—Cesare as a commercial air pilot, Federica as an archery instructor—to cultivate the two hectares of terraced vineyards at Contrada Pino, elevation 800 meters. They renovated the property’s ancient palmento, a traditional farmhouse featuring an old press and large fermentation vats made of lava stone, and began to work the 120-year-old vines, plus some olive trees and vegetable gardens, according to organic and biodynamic principles.
About The Region
Sicily
Italy’s southernmost region and the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has no shortage of sunshine to grow high-quality grapes on a yearly basis. It also does not lack a history of winemaking: since the Greeks settled here almost three millennia ago, the vine has played a major role in the island’s agricultural makeup. Production of cheap bulk wine for blending dominated much of its recent history until now, as we are witnessing a quality revolution that puts forth its great diversity and quality of terroirs, indigenous grape varieties, and local production methods.
While Sicily’s historical reputation is for sweet wines—Marsala and the Muscats of Pantelleria stand out—a number of dry whites and reds are enjoying the spotlight today. The cooler, high-altitude slopes of Etna, with its ashy volcanic soils, have seen an explosion of activity from producers both local and foreign; both whites (primarily from Carricante) and reds (Nerello Mascalese) here are capable of uncommon freshness and finesse. Other noteworthy wine regions are Eloro, where Nero d’Avola gives its best; Noto, an oasis of dry and sweet Moscatos; Vittoria, with its supple, perfumed Frappatos; and Salina, where Malvasia makes thirst-quenching dry whites and deliciously succulent passiti.
Countless foreign invasions over the centuries have given Sicilian architecture and cuisine a unique exotic twist, making it a fascinating destination for gourmands as well as wine importers. With a wealth of dedicated artisans proud to show off the riches of their land, you can bet there are many exciting things still to come from this incredible island.
More from Sicily or Italy
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Salina Malvasia “Verticale”
Vignedimare Italy | Sicily
2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Portelli Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Salina Malvasia “Verticale”
Vignedimare Italy | Sicily
2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Portelli Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
A good doctor prescribed the wine of Nuits-Saint-Georges to the Sun King, Louis XIV, when he suffered an unknown maladie. When the king’s health was restored the tasty remedy enjoyed a vogue at court. Lord, send me a doctor like that!
Inspiring Thirst, page 117