Notify me
2018 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio
Standing in the ashy volcanic sand in which these vines take root, surrounded by brilliant yellow broom, wild herbs, and solidified lava flows that traverse the land like scars, an undeniable energy radiates from the ground up. More than a feeling, it is the aura of Europe’s largest active volcano, bubbling away deep beneath our feet, that makes its presence felt. The vitality of the place is palpable with this hand-crafted red from extremely old vines. Shimmering red fruit, gentle smokiness, silky-fine tannin—the mystique of Etna abounds in this bottle.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% indigenous varieties (Minnella, Inzolia, Carricante, Grecanico, Catarratto, Malvasia) |
Appellation: | Etna Rosso |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sicily |
Producer: | Vigneti Vecchio |
Vineyard: | 1.5 ha total, 50 to 130 years old |
Soil: | Volcanic |
Farming: | Organic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 11% |
More from this Producer or Region

2023 Salina Malvasia “Abissale”
Italy | Sicily
A textured and luscious dry white with the ravishing perfume of citrus blossoms and a real “wow” factor, this is a masterpiece from the maestro of the Aeolians.

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.

2022 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.

2021 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.

2020 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
Aromas of wildflowers, saffron, beeswax, and Mediterranean herbs. Rich, fleshy, and focused, all at just 12% alcohol.

2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Italy | Sicily
Delicate floral perfume, medium body, and velvety tannin.

2022 Etna Rosso “Contrada Friera”
Italy | Sicily
Floral notes and silky berry fruit showcase Etna’s gentler, but by no means weaker, side.

Spumante Metodo Classico Extra Brut
Italy | Sicily
A citrusy and floral sparkler with a stony, bone-dry finish. Mamma mia!

2021 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.

2023 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Italy | Sicily
This delicious, handy dandy olive oil is the ultimate stocking stuffer for the adventurers on your list. The slim metal bottle makes it ideal for on-the-go EVOO indulgence.
About The Producer
Vigneti Vecchio
Carmelo Vecchio and his wife, Rosa La Guzza, did not come from afar to make wine on Etna: they are true locals, raised in the heart of the vineyards. Carmelo began working at the nearby Passopisciaro winery at a young age, and after fifteen years of hands-on experience, the time came to strike out on his own. From barely one hectare of vines up to 130 years old inherited from Rosa’s family, the couple took matters into their own hands: sustainable farming by hand, with the goal of achieving an elegant balance in the grapes; micro-vinifications in the tiny cellar beneath their home, with respect for tradition and terroir; and aging the wines in used barrels before bottling without fining or filtration.
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
2021 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2023 Salina Malvasia “Abissale”
Vignedimare Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2023 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
Spumante Metodo Classico Extra Brut
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2023 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2023 Salina Malvasia “Abissale”
Vignedimare Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2023 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
Spumante Metodo Classico Extra Brut
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2023 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
Where the newsletter started

Where the newsletter started
Every three or four months I would send my clients a cheaply made list of my inventory, but it began to dawn on me that business did not pick up afterwards. It occurred to me that my clientele might not know what Château Grillet is, either. One month in 1974 I had an especially esoteric collection of wines arriving, so I decided to put a short explanation about each wine into my price list, to try and let my clients know what to expect when they uncorked a bottle. The day after I mailed that brochure, people showed up at the shop, and that is how these little propaganda pieces for fine wine were born.—Kermit Lynch