Notify me
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Riofavara

Young Nero d’Avola vines at Riofavara
While the high-altitude volcanic slopes of Mount Etna may be the hippest of Sicily’s wine regions today, the island is home to other terroirs equally capable of yielding refreshing, nuanced wines that transparently reflect the local conditions. In the southeast, near the Baroque strongholds of Ispica and Noto, a gently rolling, sunbaked landscaped underlain by limestone bedrock provides ideal conditions for the indigenous Nero d’Avola grape. The chalky subsoil in the Eloro appellation retains moisture to nurture the vines, allowing for elegant, balanced wines in an otherwise inhospitably hot, dry environment.
When Massimo Padova took over his family’s winery in the early 1990s, he sought to realize the full potential of the land through organic farming and low-intervention winemaking. Riofavara became the first local producer to adopt this philosophy, fermenting exclusively with native yeasts and bottling unfiltered. This delicious entry-level Nero d’Avola is a testament to these methods: dark and smooth, the Padova family’s Spaccaforno is generous but not heavy, with suggestions of blackberry, licorice, and spice leading to a lively, chalky finish.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Nero d’Avola |
Appellation: | Eloro |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sicily |
Producer: | Riofavara |
Winemaker: | Massimo Padova |
Vineyard: | 30 years, 4 ha |
Soil: | Limestone |
Aging: | At least 6 months of élevage in French oak (80% second passage, 20% third passage) and 10 months minimum in bottle before release |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

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

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 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 Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata means “smoky caves” and that's exactly what I think about when I swish this around. Grown in volcanic soils, it's a perfect balance between smoky tannins and Sicilian grapes.

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.

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

2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Italy | Sicily
“Sciavè is the result of ancient clones of Nero d’Avola which, besides exalting the limestone matrix of its terroir of origin in the Eloro appellation, carry forth the elegance gleaned from patiently aging the wine in barrel.”

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.

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.

2023 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Italy | Sicily
The Marzaiolo is a brilliant white bursting with sunshine, sea spray, and fresh-squeezed Sicilian lemons.
About The Producer
Riofavara
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 Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2020 Spumante Ancestrale
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2023 Salina Malvasia “Abissale”
Vignedimare Italy | Sicily
2022 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Carricante “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2020 Spumante Ancestrale
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2023 Salina Malvasia “Abissale”
Vignedimare Italy | Sicily
2022 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236