Eruzione 1614 Carricante Sicilia DOC

Planeta’s journey began at Sambuca di Sicilia, on the estate owned by the family since the 1600s. Here, three enthusiastic young Sicilians, Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta, under the guidance of Diego Planeta, began their winemaking venture in the mid-1980s. Subsequent years were spent matching the extraordinarily diverse Sicilian soils with both indigenous and international varieties. Planeta today encompasses six distinct wine estates in five regions across Sicily; Ulmo at Sambuca di Sicilia, Dispensa at Menfi, Dorilli at Vittoria, Buonivini at Noto, Sciara Nuova on Etna at Castiglione di Sicilia, and the newest addition, La Baronia at Capo Milazzo. Each vineyard site is carefully cultivated with grapes that best compliment the local terroir.

The history of Etna is studded with the historic eruptions which have shaped it. The eruption of 1614, lasted ten years and is the longest ever recorded, halted right on the border of the vineyards of Sciaranuova. Eruzione 1614 is a strongly evocative name for our Cru dell’Etna Carricante with a small addition of Riesling. The volcanic soils of Etna originate from the slow breaking down of the lava rock, from the abundant presence of ashes emitted from the crater and from organic substances. Black soils with lava sands provide extraordinarily rich minerals; surrounded by woods and more recent lava flows. The vines used to make this wine actually grow on the lava flow. 3

Grapes were harvested from Sept. 18–Oct. 22 and picked into crates and immediately refrigerated at 8°C. Grapes were hand-selected and sent for light destalking and soft pressing; The decanted must was racked, inoculated with yeasts and fermented at 15°C in stainless steel. The wine remained on the fine lees until June.

Very pale gold color; on the nose, the volcano comes through with scents of white and yellow flowers (wild pear, elderberry, and alaster); notes of beeswax, chestnut blossom: if minerality had a scent, it would be that of Eruzione 2021. On tasting, the wine shows its authority/altitude, with a distinct, linear acidity. Flavors of green apple, orange wood, freshly harvested wheat.