Sutta a Vigna

Sutta a Vigna is a natural wine producer on the island of Sicily, Italy. It is a small-scale, artisanal project known for its dedication to indigenous grapes and low-intervention winemaking on the slopes of Mount Etna.

History and Location

  • Location: The winery is situated on the volcanic soils of Mount Etna, in the province of Catania. The vineyards are on high-altitude terraces, at elevations of up to 600 meters above sea level. This unique terroir, with its volcanic soil and significant diurnal temperature shifts, is ideal for producing high-quality grapes.

  • The Founder: The project is the work of Sebastiano Costanzo, who is a member of a new generation of winemakers on Etna. He has a deep connection to the land, and his family has been farming in the area for generations. "Sutta a Vigna" means "Under the Vineyard" in the local dialect, which refers to the small cellar located beneath the family's old vineyards.

Winemaking Philosophy

Sebastiano's philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for the land and a non-interventionist approach in the cellar.

  • Organic Farming: The vineyards are farmed organically. The high altitude, constant winds, and sandy, volcanic soil naturally protect the vines from disease, making chemical treatments unnecessary.

  • Indigenous Grapes: The winery focuses on the native grapes of Mount Etna, primarily Nerello Mascalese for reds and Carricante for whites.

  • Minimal Intervention: In the cellar, their approach is hands-off.

    • Spontaneous Fermentation: Fermentation is done with indigenous yeasts from the vineyard.

    • Old Wood Barrels: The wines are aged in old, neutral wood barrels to allow the wine to express its unique character without being overshadowed by new oak.

    • No Fining or Filtration: The wines are unfined and unfiltered, preserving their natural character.

    • Minimal to No Sulfur: They use minimal amounts of sulfur, if any, to allow the wine to be a pure expression of the vintage.

Notable Wines

Sutta a Vigna is known for its single-vineyard, authentic expressions of Etna wines.

  • Etna Rosso: Their red wine is a pure Nerello Mascalese. It's known for its elegant and ethereal character, with notes of red berries, volcanic minerality, and a firm, savory finish.

  • Etna Bianco: Their white wine is a pure Carricante. It's known for its bright acidity, savory character, and a distinct mineral, salty finish that reflects the volcanic terroir.