Etna Bianco 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. The vineyard is perfectly positioned and soils are black with lava sands of extraordinarily rich minerals, surrounded by woods and more recent lava flows.

The grapes were harvested between September 29 and October 8. Handpicked grapes at once refrigerated at 43-46°F, then selected by hand and sent for light destalking and soft pressing. The decanted must is transferred and fermented at about 59°F, 80% in stainless steel and 20% in oak barrels and in Nevers and Allier casks.

The Carricante grapes on Etna always produce great satisfaction because the marriage between the black sand and the altitude provide structured aromas and threedimensional flavors. In this vintage we have found notes of white acacia flowers, fresh almonds and mountain peaches on the nose; on the palate juicy and full with notes of yellow plums and prickly pears.