Technical details
Vinification & maturation
Small-tank fermentation10–12-day macerationManual punch-downsIndigenous malolactic fermentation16 months in French oakConcrete tank resting
Grapes
Nerello Mascalese
Soils
GravelSandVolcanic
Producer
Monteleone
Italy
Monteleone is a family-run Etna project founded in 2017 by Giulia Monteleone, her father Enrico, and winemaker Benedetto Alessandro. Based in Contrada Cuba on Etna’s northern slope, the estate works with native Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Carricante, alongside small amounts of Alicante. Vineyards in Cuba and Pontale Palino include old and pre-phylloxera, own-rooted vines, with traditional alberello training, and are vinified parcel by parcel to express distinct terroirs. The winery emphasizes territoriality and elegance, using stainless-steel tanks and small vats, punching down, selected yeasts, and extended aging in delicately toasted French oak followed by bottle maturation.