A prestigious hamlet in the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia, only red varieties are grown, using the traditional alberello (head-trained bush vines) system. A number of these vines are more than one-hundred years old and ungrafted. On the north side of the volcano, the area enjoys a mildly humid climate, a factor that has influenced an evolution of the soils towards very fine granules and very small particles. These factors pave way for a characteristic acidity that provides a refreshing balance, while the wellintegrated tannins offer a smooth, persistent finish. The volcanic minerality from the Ancient Mongibello soils lends a distinctive, gravelly texture that underscores the wine’s complexity.

This pale ruby wine is ethereal and spicy on the nose, with inviting aromas of red fruit. On the palate, it is dry and medium-to-full-bodied, with distinct tannins. Well-balanced and persistent, the wine has a refined structure.

Winemaking in the Benanti family can be traced back to the late 1800s in Viagrande. This deep-rooted passion for wine is what led Giuseppe Benanti to establish the namesake winery in 1988. Located on Mount Etna, "an island within the island" of Sicily, the Benanti family produces wines using 100% native grapes – Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. With vineyards positioned on four different slopes of the Etna volcano: North, East, South-East and South-West, the climatic influence and volcanic soils from each slope combine to create territorial wines with a "sense of place." After 25 years at the forefront of the winery and greatly contributing to the development and growth of the whole region, Giuseppe passed the torch to his sons in 2012, Antonio and Salvino.

At the end of the 1800s, Giuseppe Benanti, grandfather of Dr. Giuseppe Benanti, began the production of wines on one of his father’s old farms on the slopes of Mount Etna, at Viagrande (Catania). In 1988, Giuseppe Benanti revived the family’s old passion, with an extensive and selective study of the Etnean soils highly devoted to viticulture. He also investigated particular clones of indigenous vines and new oenological techniques to reproduce ancient fragrances using the most modern practices of vinification, in a perfect union of history and reality. From this five year study, wines of unique taste were produced recreating old flavors and keeping them intact over time. Benanti wines have a strong personality and carry the culture and passion for wine of the Benanti family, always driven by respect for the places, terroir, and old 'palmenti'. This passion, after revealing the marvels of the Etnean territory, has guided them to Pantelleria and then Pachino. Today, the winery is run by Giuseppe Benanti’s twin sons, Antonio and Salvino.

Proof/ABV: 14