Sciara 980 metri IGT Terre Siciliane Rosso 2023

Above 1,000 metres, Mount Etna red wines can no longer carry the Etna Rosso designation. It is an altitude limit Stef is particularly happy to push. The 980 Metri draws from three hand-tended vineyards in the contradas of Carrana, Barbabecchi and Monte Dolce, sitting between 840 and 1,000 metres, averaging 980.

One hundred percent Nerello Mascalese from old vines, 50 to 80 years old, trained on goblet and double cordon in almost lunar soils of black volcanic ash, rock and sand. Hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts, then 19 months across French oak barrels, ceramic vases and glass containers. No fining, stabilisation or additions, aside from a small amount of SO2 at bottling.

This has always been our favourite wine from Stef, for its supple, perfumed, Burgundian profile. Quota Mille is a special place on Mount Etna, and this is the wine that proves it.