2024 Terrazze dell'Etna, `Ciuri` Bianco - Liberty

Sicilian native Antonio Bevilacqua, an engineer by trade, began buying land on Mt. Etna in 2008 to produce some of Sicily's finest wines. Founding Terrazze dell'Etna, he has dedicated himself to the care and restoration of the territory he acquired, including the traditional terraced vineyards that lend their name to his winery.

Today, his daughter Alessia manages the estate’s 40 hectares of vineyards, alongside 20 that they rent, all planted between 600 and 950 metres above sea level on the northwest side of Mt. Etna. This unique position ensures warm days and cool nights while the volcanic soil creates low vigour, producing wines of great intensity and a lovely perfume from low-yielding vines.

Antonio’s consultant oenologist, Roberto Muccifori, marries the delicate intensity of Etna’s wines with a freshness and definition that few others have achieved. Although most of their vineyards are planted with Nerello Mascalese, they also grow a small amount of Nerello Capuccio to help soften the natural tannins of this robust Sicilian grape.

The ‘Ciuri’ is made from Nerello Mascalese vinified ‘in bianco’, without skin contact. It is unoaked, offering great depth and intensity and wonderful length. Their young Etna Rosso, ‘Carusu’, which translates to ‘young boy’ in Sicilian dialect, is made from 80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio. It ages for six months in used 500-litre barrels and another year in bottle before release. The fruit is vibrant and mineral with lovely length on the finish. The jewel in Terrazze dell'Etna’s crown is their ‘Cirneco’. Made solely from Nerello Mascalese, it is scented and fresh, with oak ageing contributing texture to the palate without detracting from the delicate yet dynamic fruit.

The vineyards are located in the municipality of Randazzo at 550-750 metres above sea level, on the northern slopes of Etna. The soil is volcanic and the climate is cool, with a notable diurnal temperature range and good ventilation. The vines are planted on terraces, or 'terrazze', at a density of 6,000 vines per hectare. Some of the vines are free-standing while others are trained using vertical shoot positioning.

The 2024 vintage was marked by a slightly delayed ripening and a warm, dry harvest. Despite reduced yields across Etna, fruit arrived in excellent condition, showing vibrant acidity and refined structure.

The grapes were hand harvested. After gentle pressing, the must was left to settle before it was racked into stainless steel tanks. Fermentation took place at a controlled temperature of 12°C. The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for at least eight months before spending six months ageing in the bottle before release.

This wine is light straw yellow in colour with great clarity and youthful reflections. The nose is fresh and fragrant with notes of tropical fruit and a hint of rosemary. On the palate, it is well-balanced with vibrant acidity and a long, mineral finish.