Ayunta Navigabile Rosso, Etna, Italy

High on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, where volcanic soils shimmer black beneath Sicilian sunlight, Ayunta crafts ‘Navigabile’ Rosso, a wine that captures the mountain’s pulse and the delicate balance between power and grace. Made primarily from Nerello Mascalese with a touch of Nerello Cappuccio, this Etna Rosso is both ethereal and grounded, offering a soulful expression of one of Italy’s most dramatic terroirs.

Product Details

• Grape Varieties: Predominantly Nerello Mascalese with Nerello Cappuccio
• ABV: 14%
• Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in small neutral vats
• Aging: 12–14 months in large used oak barrels (botti grandi), followed by bottle refinement
• Production Quantity: Small-lot artisanal bottling

Sensory Description

The ‘Navigabile’ Rosso pours a luminous ruby color with garnet edges, reflecting the transparent elegance of Etna’s high-altitude reds. Aromas unfold slowly, wild cherry, crushed pomegranate, and rose petals intertwined with notes of smoke, thyme, and volcanic stone. On the palate, it is poised and linear, offering fine red fruit layered with hints of tea leaf, blood orange, and subtle spice. Silky tannins and vibrant acidity drive a long, mineral-laced finish that echoes the mountain’s cool, stony character. The wine’s name, “Navigabile,” meaning navigable or seaworthy, aptly describes its balance, light in texture, yet deep in flavor and direction.

Awards & Accolades

• 93 Points – 2021 Vintage – Vinous Media
• 92 Points – 2020 Vintage – Decanter
• Silver – 2022 – Mundus Vini International Wine Awards

Winemaker’s Background

Founded by Filippo Mangione, Ayunta is a small, family-run estate dedicated to crafting honest, terroir-driven wines from Etna’s ancient vines. The vineyards, some over 80 years old, are farmed organically on steep volcanic terraces in the Contrada Calderara Sottana near Randazzo. Mangione’s philosophy, “minimal human intervention, maximum soil expression,” guides every step, from hand-harvesting to wild-yeast fermentation. His wines, including Navigabile, are bottled without fining or heavy filtration, allowing Etna’s raw volcanic purity to shine through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in a Burgundy or large Pinot Noir glass to highlight its aromatic complexity. It pairs beautifully with roasted pork loin, duck breast, or mushroom risotto. It also complements truffled pasta, pigeon with berry vinaigrette, or aged cheeses such as Comté.

Refined, volcanic, and quietly powerful, Ayunta ‘Navigabile’ Rosso is a wine of tension and soul, a reflection of Mount Etna’s ever-changing landscape and the artistry of a winemaker devoted to authenticity and place.