Under the Volcano: Cottanera Estate, a Family Passion

Exclusive wine experiences at Cottanera Winery in Sicily, Italy

Etna itself flows in the lymph of the Cottanera vineyards. With its pioneer viticulture, Cottanera is one of the most extraordinary companies in Italian and international enology.

Activities

Cottanera

Cottanera vineyards grow on lava stone, 700 mts above sea level, on the northern slopes of the volcano. Cottanera is a pearl of 100 hectares, of which 65 hectares are covered in vines. The vineyards and winery are in Castiglione di Sicilia, in the province of Catania, where all phases of production are carried out, from harvesting to bottling.

To create a centre of modern, innovative viticulture, aimed above all at improving quality in the vineyards on Mt. Etna: this is the challenge the Cambria family have every intention of winning. The production philosophy is to grow well-balanced grapes, in limited quantity, from the winery itself, to obtain the aromatic uniqueness that so well distinguishes these lands.

“In looking to the future, we can’t but consider all that we have received. Land, as I was taught by my father, is invaluable, as it is the beginning of all, and what we will become”. This is the company philosophy which Guglielmo Cambria would often repeat and which he wanted to pass on to his children. It was the 1990s when Guglielmo, together with his brother Enzo, decided to transform what was a hazel grove into a great vineyard.

The first plantings were international grapes, and, traditional grapes grown on Mt. Etna, such as Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Carricante. It was like this that a project of research and reintroduction of autochthonous grapes was started.

Today, of the 65 hectares covered with vines, over 40 are cultivated with grapes which go to the production of Etna DOC.

Etna DOC

In 2011, after changes regarding production methods of Etna DOC, it was possible to indicate the geographic area of the origin of the grape on the label, so as to enhance and heighten the differences and singularities of the Etna lands.

Cottanera has decided to highlight the uniqueness of these lands and their vineyards in a vast project which brings the voices of the lands of their five producing areas to their wines: Cottanera, Diciassette Salme, Calderara, Zottorinoto and Feudo di Mezzo. Now, after the death of Guglielmo, his children, Mariangela, Francesco and Emanuele Cambria, along with their uncle Enzo, have decided that the time is right to express the differences that each small, treasured area of Etna gives to the Nerello Mascalene and Carricante grape.

The results are fine, elegant, multi award-winning wines, with marked individuality and balance:

- Three whites: Etna Bianco, Barbazzale and Etna Bianco Contrada Calderara

- Eight reds: Etna Rosso, Etna Rosso Contrada Diciassettesalme, Etna Rosso Riserva Contrada Zottorinoto, Barbazzale, Fatagione, Grammonte, Sole di Sesta, L’Ardenza, Nume

- One Rosé: Etna Doc

- One Metodo Classico sparkling wine

Key features

  • Standard wine tasting
  • Exceptional wine tasting
  • Cellar visit
  • Vineyards visit
  • Wine for sale on property
  • Wine shipping available
  • Gift shop
  • Fine dining
  • Wine pairing available
  • View more

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