Hooked On Sicily: An Island Brimming with Color and Life
by Anthony Lynch
Hooked On Sicily: An Island Brimming with Color and Life
by Anthony Lynch
I vividly remember my first time stepping foot on Mount Etna. As my sneaker sunk into a pillow of dark volcanic dust, I looked up to see a patchwork of vibrant green vineyards and yellow wildflowers climbing up jet-black lava fields beneath a brilliant azure sky. A billow of smoke continuously pumped from the crater at the mountain’s distant summit, and a sense of wonderment washed over me. It felt like simultaneously going back in time and touching down on an entirely different planet. I was instantly hooked—and I had yet to even taste a single wine.
The ensuing tastings confirmed my initial suspicions: Etna is indeed a magical place, with a mystical energy that can be sensed in its finest wines. Its ancient history of grape-growing and winemaking, paired with the volcano’s striking natural properties, have resulted in a terroir unlike any other on Earth. On that first trip, we began to assemble a small portfolio of Etna growers. The wines of Vigneti Vecchio, Grottafumata, and Masseria del Pino are a sensory gateway to Europe’s tallest active volcano; we are thrilled to share their otherworldly creations today.
Sicily’s stunning scenery, captivating personalities, and incomparable wines extend far beyond Etna. The southeast, near the baroque towns of Noto and Ispica, is home to Riofavara, our longest-standing Sicilian import. Within view of the Mediterranean, the Padova family farms white limestone vineyards that yield sun-kissed, but bracingly fresh white, red, and sparkling wines. The whites boast an herbal, citrusy twang and saline hints that make them quintessential seaside creations to pair with pesce and frutti di mare. The reds, made from the hyper-local Nero d’Avola grape, are enlivened by a chalky vein of acidity that keeps the ripe fruit in check and works wonders at table.
Not too far away lies Portelli, a family winery in the heart of Sicily’s only DOCG appellation, Cerasuolo di Vittoria. Just like our other Sicilian selections, Alessandro Portelli’s charming Calabrese (the local name for Nero d’Avola) and Frappato-based reds are brimming with color and life. We invite you to explore them all right now as part of our Sicily Collection.
Wines In The Collection
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
A rosé made via ancient methods from ashy soils high on Mount Etna.
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
An out-of-this-world, but wholly down-to-earth skin-contact white. You’ve never had anything like this before!
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
Delicate, stimulating, and completely dry—it’s a ravishing aperitivo, but works with anything from the ocean.
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
A profound red wine full of depth, liveliness, and old-school, rustic character; the intensely gripping, ashy-fine tannin is a trademark of wines from Contrada Pino.
Grottafumata 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.
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata’s first release from the “Vigna degli Architetti” delivers deep, ripe fruit with elegance and grace.
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
“Nsajàr” means “to try something new” in the local dialect, and this wine is the epitome of creating something new from something old.
Italy | Sicily
A rosé made via ancient methods from ashy soils high on Mount Etna.
Italy | Sicily
An out-of-this-world, but wholly down-to-earth skin-contact white. You’ve never had anything like this before!
Italy | Sicily
Delicate floral perfume, medium body, and velvety tannin.
Italy | Sicily
Delicate, stimulating, and completely dry—it’s a ravishing aperitivo, but works with anything from the ocean.
Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.
Italy | Sicily
A profound red wine full of depth, liveliness, and old-school, rustic character; the intensely gripping, ashy-fine tannin is a trademark of wines from Contrada Pino.
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.
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata’s first release from the “Vigna degli Architetti” delivers deep, ripe fruit with elegance and grace.
Italy | Sicily
“Nsajàr” means “to try something new” in the local dialect, and this wine is the epitome of creating something new from something old.
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