Tenuta delle Terre Nere is one of the crown jewels of Sicilian winemaking and a benchmark estate on the slopes of Mount Etna. Founded by Marco de Grazia in the early 2000s, this visionary project helped ignite the Etna renaissance—transforming what was once a forgotten volcanic region into one of the most celebrated terroirs in Italy. The estate spans over 45 hectares of old vineyards, many exceeding 70 years of age, and some pre-phylloxera vines that reach more than a century old. These vineyards, perched between 600 and 1,000 meters above sea level, are divided among the historic contrade (crus) of Calderara Sottana, Santo Spirito, Guardiola, and Feudo di Mezzo—each expressing a unique facet of Etna’s volcanic soul. The combination of high altitude, mineral-rich basaltic soils, and dramatic day-night temperature shifts results in wines of precision, tension, and remarkable aromatic complexity. The philosophy of Tenuta delle Terre Nere is rooted in respect for nature, traditional viticulture, and minimal intervention in the cellar. The vineyards are farmed organically, harvested by hand, and vinified separately to preserve the integrity of each site. In the cellar, Marco de Grazia’s approach is Burgundian in spirit—each contrada is treated as a single cru, allowing the differences in terroir to shine through. The reds, primarily from Nerello Mascalese, offer a haunting elegance reminiscent of fine Pinot Noir, while the whites, based on Carricante, are crystalline and vibrant, often compared to Chablis for their minerality and finesse. The estate’s meticulous attention to detail, from vine to bottle, ensures wines that are both true to place and of world-class quality. Today, Tenuta delle Terre Nere stands as a pillar of authenticity and excellence—one of the few estates whose name alone inspires confidence and excitement among collectors and sommeliers alike. The wines are not only benchmarks for Etna, but for Italy as a whole, offering a rare combination of character, aging potential, and value. With each release, they capture the wild beauty of Sicily’s volcano: the smoky minerality, the tension of fire and ash, and the refined expression of a terroir unlike any other in the world. Whether for the passionate collector, the discerning investor, or simply the lover of soulful wines, Tenuta delle Terre Nere represents one of the most compelling estates to buy, cellar, and savor today.
Etna Bianco 2024 – Crafted mainly from Carricante grown on high-altitude, north-facing slopes of Mount Etna, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel to preserve their bright acidity and volcanic minerality. The wine is crisp, saline, and citrus-driven, with notes of lemon zest, white peach, and crushed stone, finishing with striking purity and tension. Special Price $29.99
Etna Rosso 2024 – Made from Nerello Mascalese with a touch of Nerello Cappuccio, sourced from multiple contrade and aged in large neutral oak barrels for finesse. It’s fragrant and refined, offering wild strawberry, rose petals, and smoky mineral tones on a silky, medium-bodied frame—a quintessential introduction to Etna’s elegant red style. Special Price $34.99
Etna Bianco ‘Le Vigne Niche – Calderara Sottana’ 2024 – From ancient vines rooted in pure volcanic gravel, this single-vineyard white is fermented partly in oak for texture and aged on fine lees for depth. It’s powerful yet refined, showing layers of lemon oil, almond, and sea spray, with a long, mineral-laced finish that echoes grand cru Chablis. Special Price $54.99
Etna Bianco ‘Le Vigne Niche – Montalto’ 2024 – From the highest and most exposed white vineyard on Etna, this Carricante is taut, racy, and deeply mineral. Vinified in stainless steel to emphasize precision, it reveals notes of lime, green apple, and flint, with electric acidity and a pure, mountain-driven finish. Special Price $54.99
Etna Rosso ‘Guardiola’ 2023 – Grown on one of Etna’s steepest and coolest sites, the Guardiola is aged in large oak barrels and expresses a darker, more austere personality. Expect aromas of black cherry, iron, and incense, with fine-grained tannins and a firm, structured palate built for aging. Special Price $74.99
Etna Rosso ‘Calderara Sottana’ 2023 – From stony, ancient soils that radiate heat, this wine shows generosity and depth. Aged in oak for balance, it displays redcurrant, herbs, and smoky graphite, combining richness with volcanic tension in a beautifully balanced, long finish. Special Price $74.99
Etna Rosso ‘Moganazzi’ 2023 – Sourced from a small, terraced vineyard with deep sandy soils, Moganazzi is polished and aromatic. Aged in large barrels, it delivers pure red cherry, rose, and spice notes, with silky tannins and a graceful, layered texture that speaks of finesse rather than power. Special Price $69.99
Etna Rosso ‘Prephylloxera’ 2023 – From century-old ungrafted vines in Calderara Sottana, this is the estate’s most iconic red, fermented gently and aged in large oak for over a year. It’s profound and hauntingly complex, with aromas of violets, crushed rock, black raspberry, and incense—an ethereal, Burgundian expression of Etna’s oldest vines and a true collector’s gem. Special Price $194.99 Wine will be ready for delivery first week of November
|
 |
