Sicily
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, has had a vocation for viticulture for centuries. Planted on black and volcanic soils, its vineyard is considered one of the oldest in the world. It is the largest vineyard in Italy. The vine is present everywhere, reaching up to 1200 meters of altitude on Etna. The Mediterranean climate is very favorable to it: regular sunshine, high temperatures and low rainfall. Its hilly landscapes and light sea breeze are reminiscent of places in California and Australia. Sicily offers a multitude of indigenous grape varieties, Nero d'Avola being the most famous.
The sub-region: ETNA
The vines are on the eastern slope of Mount Etna, the 3,330 meter active volcano that dominates the northeast corner of Sicily. They are located 700 meters above sea level. Here the climate is far from Sicilian (hot and dry), the climate of Etna is cool with more rain. Temperatures and precipitation are influenced by volcanic activity and altitude. From almost anywhere on the slopes of Etna, looking east, one can see how the sparkling light of the Mediterranean reflects off the vineyards. This effect is similar to those reported around Lake Geneva and along the Moselle. Winemakers explain that this allows for more complete ripening of the grapes, even at higher and cooler altitudes.