Profumo di Vulcano

Profumo di Vulcano is a project and the wine created by Federico Graziani – the AIS Italy’s Best Sommelier 1988 and a professional sommelier having worked in some of the finest restaurants and hotels in Europe.

This small vineyard is situated in Contrada Feudo di Mezzo at Passopisciaro and lies on the northern slope of Mount Etna. Located at 700 metres above sea level, the vineyard is sheltered from sirocco winds and has a daily temperature range of about 28°C in September. This gives the grapes a longer time to mature on the vine and develop additional complexities.

Grapes are traditionally grown on free-standing head-trained bush vines, supported by chestnut stakes. The vineyard is 75 years old on average, with several centenarian vines, and is worked fully by hand with the help of a motor hoe or a mule. To keep the vines in balance with their environment, neither pesticides nor systemic treatments are used – apart from a reduced amount of copper and sulphur and in a very few cases, an anti-Botrytis treatment.

Federico makes only three wines: Profumo di Vulcano (a blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Alicante e Francisi), Etna Rosso (traditional Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio) and Mareneve (a unique blend of 5 different grapes: Riesling, Gewustraminer, Greganico, Catarrato and Chenin Blanc).

Profumo di Vulcano is the result of viticulture practices that respect the natural balance required by the physiology of the vine, by intervening as little as possible and only when necessary.

For more information please visit the winery website.