T h e C o n t r a d e

T h e C o n t r a d e

CONTRADA CALDERARA

Calderara

Contrada Calderara, is located in Randazzo at about 750 m above sea level and boasts an incredibly rocky volcanic terroir rich in volcanoclastic deposits clearly visible on the surface alternating with basalt. The unique terroir, particularly suited to Nerello Mascalese, on which the district falls was originated by lava flows dated between 60,000 and 15,000 years ago.

The very name of the district, Calderara precisely, refers to the heat that the black stones of volcanic matrix, retain during the day and then release to the earth on cold nights.

CONTRADA SANTO SPIRITO

Santo Spirito

Contrada Santo Spirito is located in the hamlet of Passopisciaro in Castiglione di Sicilia at about 800 m a.s.l. Its particularly sandy terroir on the surface boasts a lava basalt skeleton belonging to the 1879 lava flow. Soils composed of volcanic ash and effusive rocks, rich in trace elements. The Santo Spirito vineyard covers about half a hectare, and is home to 100-year-old Prefillossera vines. The varieties grown are the indigenous Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Carricante with an Etnean tree training system on terraces supported by dry lava stone walls.
CONTRADA ZOTTORINOTTO

Zottorinotto

Contrada Zottorinotto is located on the northern slope of Etna volcano, at an altitude of about 750-780 meters above sea level. The soil è sandy of volcanic origin but with a great draining capacity. Viticulture in this district is characterized by foothill climatic aspects: low rainfall during the growing season, strong ventilation and important temperature ranges between day and night, with temperature swings of sometimes as much as 18 to 20°C.
L’average age of the vines is about 20 years old, with espalier and sapling planting systems.

CONTRADA Pietrarizzo

Pietrarizzo

Contrada Pietrarizzo is located in the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia, on the northern slope of Etna volcano, at an altitude ranging from 650-700 m above sea level. The soil is volcanic-rock type, thus composed of volcanic and magmatic rocks, the result of the disintegration of the 1908 lava flow.

Such soil particularity gives both Carricante and Nerello Mascalese a distinct identity.

CONTRADA PIANO DEI DAINI

Piano dei Daini

Altitude 650 m a.s.l., varieties Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio and Carricante, average age 15 years; this is the vineyard on the level where the new Tornatore winery is located.

CONTRADA MALPASSO

Malpasso

Altitude 600 meters above sea level, varieties produced Carricante, Nerello Mascalese Nerello Cappuccio, average age 18 years; this vineyard is near Piano dei Daini.
CONTRADA PIETRAMARINA

Pietramarina

Altitude 550 meters, boasts sandstone and volcanic terroir, Nerello Mascalese varieties with an average age of 15 years are grown.
CONTRADA BRAGASEGGI

Bragaseggi

Altitude 500 meters, espalier vineyard, cultivated varieties Nerello Mascalese and Nerello cappuccio, average age 12 years; it is the vineyard closest to the winery’s historic headquarters

CONTRADA TORRE GUARINO

Torre Guarino

Altitude 450 meters, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio varieties, average age 15 years. It is the vineyard that leads the way to the Trimarchisa district.
CONTRADA TRIMARCHISA

Trimarchisa

Contrada Trimarchisa located in the Castiglione di Sicilia countryside, is in an optimal position for the production of a warm and elegant red wine that fully reflects the characteristics of the territory and variety.

At about 400 m above sea level, on a volcanic and sandstone terroir, we approach the Alcantara River, the vineyard in Contrada Trimarchisa boasts a north/south exposure and espalier planting. The vines are over 50 years old and the varieties are predominantly Nerello Mascalese and a small portion of Nerello Cappuccio. The exposure, age of the vineyard and terroir allow us to produce a unique wine that is harvested normally in mid-October.