2024 · Etna Bianco

Barone di Villagrande is a family-owned estate in Milo on Etna’s eastern slope, where the Nicolosi family has cultivated vines since 1727. Its vineyards lie on volcanic, terraced soils at around 700 metres, with additional holdings on Salina. Certified organic since 1989, the estate limits intervention in the vineyard and uses natural donkey manure and Etnean chestnut wood for vine training and barrels. Marco Nicolosi continues the work of Paolo Nicolosi and Carlo Nicolosi Asmundo, whose contributions included pioneering separate white and red vinification and writing the Etna DOC regulations in 1968. The wines focus on the character of Etna’s varieties and contrasting climate, combining freshness, acidity, minerality and elegance, while the family is also recovering old vineyards for traditional Contrada wines.