Terre di Montalto Etna Bianco 2023
We have 16 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land
Perched high on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna at 860–960 meters above sea level, Terre di Montalto defies the norms of its subregion. While the southwest is usually lower and warmer, this site’s unusual elevation brings cool winds and slow ripening, producing fruit with both richness and striking freshness. The vineyards in Biancavilla are rooted in a rare combination of deep, ancient red soils rich in iron—predating the volcano itself—and scattered with “ripiddu,” fist-sized basalt from the Ellittico eruption some 60,000 years ago. This blend of pre-volcanic earth and ancient lava fragments lends the wines a mineral tension and subtle ferrous edge unlike any other on Etna. The steep, terraced plots are surrounded by the island’s biodiversity, with the sea just far enough away to moderate summer heat yet close enough to bring cleansing breezes.
The Wine
A blend of 90% Carricante and 10% Catarratto from 60-year-old, own-rooted vines trained in both spalliera and albarello. Hand-harvested, double-sorted, softly pressed, and fermented at cool temperatures, the wine spends six months on the lees before another six in stainless steel, preserving purity and texture. The 2023 Etna Bianco shows crystalline aromas of lemon zest, white peach, fennel frond, and crushed sea shell, layered over a subtle saline-mineral core. On the palate, it is crisp and linear yet texturally rounded from its time on lees, with bright acidity driving a long, mouthwatering finish. A white that captures both the Mediterranean sunshine and its altitude-born clarity.
The People
Terre di Montalto is owned and farmed by three brothers, guardians of just 6.5 hectares of steep, terraced vines on Etna’s less-traveled southwestern flank. Working with their own-rooted, 60-year-old vines, they embrace organic farming made easy by the volcano’s breezy, pest-resistant environment. Every decision—from double-sorting the fruit to extended lees contact—is aimed at expressing the unique marriage of rare soils and high elevation in Biancavilla. In a region where the northern slope often claims the spotlight, their Etna Bianco proves that beauty and precision thrive just as brightly where ancient red earth meets black basalt.
Food pairing
Pan-roasted halibut with lemon-caper butter and sautéed greens (recipe on blog)
The halibut’s mild sweetness and firm, flaky texture harmonize with the Etna Bianco’s citrusy lift and mineral core, while the lemon-caper butter amplifies its saline edge. A quick sear creates a golden crust that plays against the wine’s crisp acidity, and a finish of fresh parsley ties in the herbal notes from the volcanic slopes. Serve alongside tender sautéed Swiss chard or kale, whose earthy bitterness grounds the dish and highlights the wine’s bright, mouthwatering finish.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
Sicily, Italy’s largest island, blends ancient wine traditions with a fresh wave of modern creativity. Its star red grape, Nero d’Avola, thrives in the island’s warm, sun-soaked climate, producing intensely flavored wines with dark fruit and a hint of savory spice. Along the western coast lies the historic heartland of Marsala, a fortified wine prized for both sweet and dry styles. Rising above the island’s varied landscapes is Mount Etna, an active volcano whose mineral-rich soils and cooler elevations result in elegantly structured reds and nuanced whites. From coast to crater, Sicily’s wine culture is as diverse and vibrant as the region itself.
Italy - Sicily
Native to Sicily's Mount Etna, Carricante is a high acid white grape known for minerality. It's at its best on the east slope of the volcano, showing saltiness and texture with ample acidity to age for decades.
