New vineyards on Etna for Tasca d’Almerita and Donnafugata
The first Etna DOC harvest is just around the corner for two famous Sicilian wineries: Tasca d’Almerita and Donnafugata. Both of these historic wineries have announced the purchase of vineyards on the volcano of Etna, a unique and well-known production area, one of the best on the whole island.
Donnafugata between Etna and Vittoria
Vineyards of Donnafugata in contrada Allegracore, on the Etna
Antonio and José Rallo, the latest generation to head Donnafugata, have announced that the Sicilian winery is ready for a new adventure between Etna and Vittoria, where the winery has extended its vineyards. The rows of vines are on the northern slope of Etna, at an altitude of 750 metres. They are all in the DOC area, between the districts of Monte La Guardia, Allegracore and Calderara. 13 of the total 15 hectares of vineyards are planted with Nerello Mascalese; the remaining 2 with Carricante, which will be picked by the end of September. The winemaking will be done on site, in Randazzo (the Statella district), where Donnafugata has bought a winery.
The Frappato di Vittoria Doc
The Acate area, in the Bidini district, on the other hand, accommodates 18 hectares of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and Frappato di Vittoria DOC vineyards. About 11 hectares of Nero d’Avola and 7 of Frappato are more or less ready for harvesting.
Tasca d’Almerita on Etna
With this latest acquisition in Passopisciaro, in the Marchesa district, Tasca d’Almerita’s Etna adventure has reached its culmination. 10 years after coming to the volcano, the winery is ready to launch its Tascante project (where Tasca meets Etna), with the first vintage of Etna DOC. Tasca d’Almerita’s interest in the Etna production area began over a decade ago, supported by experimental vinification of different batches of grapes and studies on the microclimate carried out by the winery.
Vineyard of Tasca d’Almerita
Tenuta Sciaranova and Tenuta Boccadorzo
This latest acquisition, announced at the beginning of August, adds to the 12 hectares of vineyards owned by the winery, extending between the municipality of Castiglione and Randazzo, at a height of about 750 metres: Tenuta Boccadorzo (5 hectares of Nerello Mascalese and a small amount of Cappuccio) and Tenuta Sciaranova (with the white Carricante grape).
The first hervest of vineyards on Etna
Tasca d’Almerita’s first harvest on Etna was in 2008, but with the newly-acquired winery in Passopisciaro (in the Marchesa district) – a structure of about 900 square metres divided up over three floors –the winemaking can be done on site, at their own premises. Apart from a bit of tweaking here and there, Tascante is ready for the first Etna DOC harvest.
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