Terra Costantino

Land, vineyard, wine

From the vineyards on Etna’s south-eastern slope at Contrada Blandano, in the territory of Viagrande, we can see the sea and taste the windblown tang of salt. Behind, the great volcano protects the vines from frosts brought by the northerly Tramontana wind.

The estate, comprising a single ten-hectare plot situated between 450 and 550 metres above sea level, lies in the heart of the Etna DOC zone. Terra Costantino grows exclusively native Etna varieties - white-skinned Carricante and Catarratto grapes, and red-skinned Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio - in full respect of territory and environment to produce wines that are certified organic.

The story of this wine began in the ancient cellars at Contrada Blandano, where venerable wine-presses rub shoulders with modern vinification equipment. It is the story of the ETNA DOC, which can only be produced in the province of Catania in a crescent-shaped territory that embraces the volcano from south to north and rises to 1,000 metres above sea level. Wine has long been made in these parts for everyday consumption. As time passed, growers learned about the changes wine underwent in wood and vinified it so that its flavour was enhanced, its defects minimised and its sensory characteristics exalted. Terra Costantino followed the same path. First Dino, and then his son Fabio, developed a real passion for quality when they realised the potential of their land and its fruits.

Wine changes subtly with every vintage, a chameleon-like quality that Nerello Mascalese and Carricante interpret with stunning versatility, thrilling palates year after amazing year.