DOC Etna, explained by those who experience it every day
On the slopes of Mount Etna, the volcano that dominates eastern Sicily, vines have been cultivated for centuries. Today, DOC Etna represents one of Italy’s most fascinating designations: a unique area, where tradition and terroir intertwine to create wines with unmistakable personalities.
We at the Statella family live and work on the mountain every day, taking on the challenge of producing wines that are an authentic expression of their place. That’s why we want to tell you about DOC Etna our way: simply, directly, and passionately, just as we know it.
A history spanning over 50 years
The “Etna” Controlled Designation of Origin was established in 1968, among the first in Italy.
A significant milestone, it officially recognized the quality of a wine that had already been known and appreciated for centuries, so much so that it was sold and shipped by sea as early as the 18th and 19th centuries thanks to the English fleets.
Today, the DOC covers approximately 1,300 hectares, spread across 20 municipalities in the province of Catania. The area is shaped like a semicircle that embraces the volcano from north to southwest, with vineyards rising from 400 to over 1,000 meters above sea level, on slopes and in districts with very different characteristics.
The iconic grape variety: Nerello Mascalese
The undisputed star of the DOC is Nerello Mascalese, a native grape that has adapted to the lava soil and mountain climate for centuries.
As Domenico Sestini wrote in 1776, this grape “produces good-quality red wines, generous and suitable for sailing.” Today, as then, Nerello Mascalese is the basis of Etna Rosso, Rosato, Riserva, and Spumante.
The DOC also includes a small percentage of Nerello Cappuccio, and for white wines, Carricante plays a leading role, along with other native grapes.
Six types of wine are permitted
The Etna DOC regulations include six types of wine:
Etna Bianco
Etna Bianco Superiore
Etna Rosé
Etna Rosso
Etna Rosso Riserva
Etna Spumante (white or rosé, always from Nerello Mascalese)
Each type has its own specific rules, from vineyard yield to aging. Etna Rosso Riserva, for example, requires a minimum aging of four years, including at least 12 months in wood.
Why is Etna so special?
Each slope and district has its own identity: north, south, east, and southwest offer different soils, altitudes, and microclimates. This is why Etna wines are so varied: each expresses the character of its place of origin, making the Etna DOC a true mosaic of terroirs.
Our philosophy is to work with craftsmanship, respecting this natural and cultural heritage, to produce wines that express the mountain in the glass, without artifice or shortcuts.
If you’d like to learn more about this extraordinary territory, continue to follow us here on the website and on our social media. And if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us: we’re always happy to share our Etna with you.