The 2022 growing season recorded 764 mm of rain, slightly below the average of 799 mm on the north side of Mount Etna; as well as the snow that covered the vineyards between the end of January and early February, also of note was the fact that although precipitation was concentrated in the autumn and winter, there was also rainfall in the spring; in the summer, the temperatures were slightly above average but then fell in the second half of August thanks to new rainfall; the latter had a positive influence on the vegetative production cycle and the ripeness of the grapes. The quantity of grapes harvested was perfectly in line with the company's quality objectives.

*Average rainfall recorded going back to the 2007 harvest and measured in Randazzo by SIAS, Servizio Agrometeorologico Siciliano; in this area, the rainfall data refers to the agricultural year that goes from 1 November to 31 October of the following year.

Hand collected in crates with the grapes carefully sorted at the vineyard. The Nerello Mascalese grape harvest began at the end of September and concluded on 12 October.

On arriving at the winery, the bunches are further sorted on the vibrating table and then selected using a next-generation destemmer which selects only perfectly ripe grapes, removing green and overripe grapes. Fermentation in steel with maceration on the skins at a controlled temperature. Ageing partly in tanks and partly in second and third-passage barriques for around 18 months, and then for at least 18 months in the bottle before the release.

PRODUCTION AREA:Eastern Sicily, on the northern slopes of Etna, on the Estate of the Municipality of Randazzo and in other particularly suitable areas.
SOILS & CLIMATE: Prevalence of soils with altitude of 600 to 750 m a.s.l., mountainous terrain and sandy soils of volcanic origin. Continental climate with Mediterranean influences, characterised by cold winters and summers with strong temperature variations between night and day.
VINEYARD: Vineyards grown using the Etna “alberello” head-trained bush practice and VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training methods with spurred cordon pruning. Sloping terrains are traditionally cultivated on terraces cordoned off by dry lava stone walls.

Denomination: Etna Rosso DOCSicilia
Grapes:Nerello Mascalese
Alcohol: 14% vol.
Total acidity: 5.2 g/l
pH: 3.57

On Etna the 2021 vintage was characterized by regular climatic conditions, by a cold winter, a mild spring, and a summer with a good temperature range; the total rainfall recorded was 803 mm, in line with the average of the territory which is 801 mm. Accurate agronomic management favored a harmonious vegetation-production cycle, giving rise to grapes that achieved the right sugar, aromatic and phenolic ripeness. The quantity produced was in line with company expectations; the wines of this year stand out for their great finesse and minerality.

* Average rainfall recorded in Randazzo since the 2007 harvest; in this territory, the pluviometric data refer to the agricultural year (from November 1st to October 31st of the following year).

Manual harvesting in boxes with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The harvest of Nerello Mascalese for the production of red wine started at the end of September a few days in advance and ended on October 15th.

Once the clusters reach the winery they undergo a further selection on a vibrating table, followed by grape selection thanks to the latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe grapes. Fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for 8-10 days at a temperature of 25°C. Aging partly in tanks and partly in French oak (second and third passage barriques) for 12 months and then at least 10 months in bottle before release.

PRODUCTION AREA: Eastern Sicily, north side of Etna, between Randazzo and Castiglione di Sicilia.
SOILS & CLIMATE: Altitude from 700 to 750 meters a.s.l.; the composition of the sandy texture lavic soil offers a subacid-neutral reaction, with good organic endowment. Deep, rich in minerals, the lavic soil allows strong root growth. This area of the north of the volcano is characterized by lower-than-average rainfall with respect to the other slopes of Etna. Summers are cool, characterized by strong temperature changes between day and night.
VINEYARD: Vines are trained to the traditional Etnean alberello or to vertical shoot positioning system with spurred cordon pruning. The density is about 4.500 plants per hectare with yields of 4.5-6.5 tons per hectare.

Denomination: Etna Rosso DOCSicilia
Grapes:Nerello Mascalese, the main red grape variety native of Etna, and a small percentage of Nerello Cappuccio.
Alcohol: 13.97% vol.
Total acidity: 5.2 g/l
pH: 3.56

On EEtna the 2019 vintage was a fresh vintage and rainfalls were very similar (802 mm) to the average* (801 mm); it was a typical vintage on Mt. Etna with rainfall that was recorded in spring and summer, quite usual for vineyards over 700 m. a. s. l.; in particular, some rainfall between mid-August and early September exalted freshness and aroma. On this side of the volcano the following weeks were dry; this climatic factor, together with the choice to carry out some thinning, facilitated the desired ripening and the regular course of the harvest. The red wines are very elegant and with an extremely fine and with well-integrated tannins

*average rainfall recorded in Randazzo since the 2007 harvest; in this territory, the pluviometric data refer to the agricultural year intended from 1 November to 31 October of the following year.

Manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The harvest began on October 11th and ended on October 21st.

Once the clusters reach the winery they undergo further selection on a vibrating table, followed by grape selection thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe grapes. Fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for 8-10 days at a temperature of 25 °C. Aging partly in tanks and partly in French oak (second and third passage barriques) for 14 months and then at least 7 months in bottle before release.

PRODUCTION ZONE: Eastern Sicily, north side of Etna, between Randazzo and Castiglione di Sicilia.
TERRAINS & CLIMATE: altitude from 730 to 750 m a.s.l.; the composition of the sandy texture lavic soil offers a subacid-neutral reaction, with good organic endowment. Deep, rich in minerals, the lavic soil allows strong root growth. This area of the north of the volcano is characterized by precipitations lower than the average of the other slopes of Etna. Summers are cool, characterized by strong temperature changes between day and night.
VINEYARD: etnean Alberello (bush vine) and VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) trained with spurred cordon pruning. Density of about 4.500 plants per hectare with yields of 45 - 65 q.li/ha.

Denomination: Etna Rosso DOC
Grapes: Nerello Mascalese, the main red grape variety native of Etna, and a small percentage of Nerello Cappuccio.
Alcohol: 13.54% vol.
Total acidity: 5.5 g/l
pH: 3.50

On Etna the 2018 vintage was cooler and rainier (946 mm) than the average* (801mm); Rainfall was recorded in spring and summer, quite usual for vineyards over 700 m. a. s.l.; in particular, some rainfall between mid-August and early September exalted freshness and aroma. On this side of the volcano the following weeks were dry; this climatic factor, together with the choice to carry out some thinning, facilitated the desired ripening and the regular course of the harvest. The red wines are very elegant and with an extremely fine and with well integrated tannins.

*average rainfall recorded in Randazzo since the 2007 harvest; in this territory, the pluviometric data refer to the agricultural year intended from 1 November to 31 October of the following year.

Manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The Nerello Mascalese was harvested between October 6th and 13th, the Nerello Cappuccio on October 9th .

Once the clusters reach the winery they undergo further selection on a vibrating table, followed by grape selection thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe grapes. Fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for 8-10 days at a temperature of 25 °C. Aging partly in tanks and partly in French oak (second and third passage barriques) for 14 months and then at least 7 months in bottle before release.

PRODUCTION ZONE: Eastern Sicily, north side of Etna, between Randazzo and Castiglione di Sicilia.
TERRAINS & CLIMATE: altitude from 730 to 750 m a.s.l.; the composition of the sandy texture lavic soil offers a subacid-neutral reaction, with good organic endowment. Deep, rich in minerals, the lavic soil allows strong root growth. This area of the north of the volcano is characterized by precipitations lower than the average of the other slopes of Etna. Summers are cool, characterized by strong temperature changes between day and night.
VINEYARD: etnean Alberello (bush vine) and VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) trained with spurred cordon pruning. Density of about 4.500 plants per hectare with yields of 45 - 65 q.li/ha.

Denomination: Etna Rosso DOC
Grapes: Nerello Mascalese, the main red grape variety native of Etna, and a small percentage of Nerello Cappuccio.
Alcohol: 13% vol.
Total acidity: 5.5 g/l
pH: 3.52

• DENOMINATION: Etna Rosso DOC
• GRAPES: Nerello Mascalese – A black grape variety. The unique terroir of the volcano gives rise to the prestigious Etna DOC domination.
• PRODUCTION ZONE: Eastern Sicily, north side of Etna, between Randazzo and Passopisciaro.
• TERRITORIES: altitude from 730 to 750 m a.s.l.; the composition of the sandy texture lavic soil offers a subacid-neutral reaction, with good organic endowment. Deep, rich in minerals, the lavic soil allows strong root growth.
• VINEYARD: Alberello or VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) training with spurred cordon pruning. Density of about 4,500 plants per hectare with yields of 45 - 65 quintals/hectare.
• VINTAGE: An autumn and winter with little rainfall. The 2016 vintage closed with 519 mm of rainfall, below the average* of 799 mm that characterizes the north side of the volcano, between Randazzo and Passopiscaro, where Donnafugata has its vineyards in 5 different districts. This figure did not have significant consequences. In very loose terrains like these volcanic ones, the root system of the grapevine can go deep and capture the moisture it needs. No excessive heat peaks during the summer; some rain in late August certainly helped the vines, allowing them to complete the cycle of a contained and balanced production. The ripening of the grapes was slow and regular, also thanks to the mild temperatures on many days between September and October. Excellent from the qualitative point of view, the 2016 vintage gave wines with intense perfumes and harmonious tannins; wines of particular finesse and harmony. (*AGRICULTURAL YEAR: for ian Agrometeorological Service, the average has been calculated in Randazzo since 2007.)
• HARVEST: manual harvesting of grapes into crates with careful selection of the grapes in the vineyard. The Nerello Mascalese was harvested between October 14 and 28.
• VINIFICATION: Once the clusters reach the winery they undergo further selection on a vibrating table, followed by grape selection thanks to a latest generation destemmer, able to discard the green and overripe grapes. Fermentation in stainless steel with maceration on the skins for 8-10 days at a temperature of 25 °C. Aging partly in tanks and partly in French oak (second and third passage barriques) for 14 months and then at least 7 months in bottle before release.
• ANALYTICAL DATA: alcohol 13.45 % vol. - total acidity 5.7g/l - pH 3.48