Tornatore Etna Bianco DOC, Sicily, Italy, 2024

Producer Profile

Tornatore stands as one of Etna’s historic families, farming the volcano’s northern slope since 1865.

Rooted in tradition yet forward-looking in practice, the estate has grown across generations from a small family farm into one of the most respected names in the Etna DOC. Today, Tornatore cultivates 100 hectares of vineyards, olive groves and hazelnut orchards in the plots that define this remarkable landscape. These sites, shaped over centuries by volcanic activity, offer an extraordinary diversity of soils and exposures that translate directly into the character of the wines. The family’s deep knowledge of Etna, passed carefully from parent to child for over 150 years, underpins every decision in the vineyards and cellar. Their respect for the land is reflected in a firm commitment to sustainability: environmentally sensitive farming, renewable energy in the winery, and full adherence to VIVA and SOStain certification schemes. Making wine on Etna is challenging, but Tornatore embraces the mountain’s extremes – dramatic elevation shifts, significant diurnal ranges and complex volcanic soils – as the key to producing wines of rare precision and personality. Each bottle celebrates the singularity of the Etna terroir, blending heritage, resilience and innovation.

Viticulture

Vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna are among Europe’s most dramatic, planted on steep, terraced volcanic soils at altitudes reaching over 1,000 metres. Old vines Carricante thrive in lava-rich soils, shaped by strong winds and wide diurnal shifts. Tornatore employ counter espalier (controspalliera) training, allowing better canopy control, improved airflow and more precise ripening while adapting to Etna’s challenging terrain and modern viticultural needs.

Winemaking

The grapes are harvested by hand into small crates and swiftly transported to the winery, where they are carefully selected by hand on a conveyor belt. After destemming and light crushing, they are transferred to a vertical press for gentle pressing. The must is clarified at low temperatures, then allowed to ferment at 15–16 °C. Following fermentation, the wine is left to rest on its lees for approximately three months.

Tasting Note

On the nose, this wine opens with enticing aromas of grapefruit, white peach and delicate herbal notes. The palate reveals its true character: vibrant, fresh and finely balanced, with a distinctive flavour profile lifted by striking minerality. Elegant and expressive, these refined nuances linger effortlessly, creating an irresistible invitation to pour a second glass.

Food matching

Carricante’s acidity cuts through richness and highlights zestier flavours, so think olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and simple, clean profiles rather than heavy creams or deeply spiced sauces.