Passopisciaro Scinniri Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily, Italy

Born from ancient lava flows and high-altitude vineyards on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, the 2019 Passopisciaro Scinniri Terre Siciliane IGT channels the energy of Sicily’s most powerful landscape into a wine of remarkable clarity and quiet tension. Scinniri, Sicilian for “to ignite”, pays homage to the volcano’s dormant fire and the rebirth of its vineyards, abandoned for decades before being revived by Tuscan visionary Andrea Franchetti. Light in color but not in character, this is a wine that captures both the rawness and the refinement of Etna.

Product Details:

• Grape Variety: Red Blend
• Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
• Color: Light ruby red
• Style: Dry red wine

Sensory Description:

This Nerello Mascalese offers a captivating sensory profile that reflects the volcanic heart of Etna. On the nose, it opens with gentle notes of red cherry, ripe raspberry, and wild herbs, laced with a faint smokiness that nods to its lava-rich origins. The palate unfolds with supple red berry fruit, followed by subtle spice and a whisper of earthiness. Despite its lush fruit profile, the wine finishes lean and taut, lifted by fine minerality and a graceful thread of acidity. The result is a wine of lightness and focus, with elegance drawn directly from the black basalt soils of Mount Etna.

Winemaker's Background:

Founded by celebrated Tuscan winemaker Andrea Franchetti in 2000, Passopisciaro is a pioneering force in the revival of winemaking on the northern slopes of Mount Etna. Franchetti was drawn to the area’s abandoned high-altitude terraces and volcanic soils, seeing untapped potential in the Nerello Mascalese vines rooted in lava flows. The estate quickly became known for its contrada-specific bottlings, wines that express the nuances of Etna's volcanic terroir with precision and intensity. Alongside its single-vineyard crus, Passopisciaro produces wines under the broader Terre Siciliane IGT designation, allowing room for experimentation and broader blends. Today, Passopisciaro remains at the vanguard of Sicilian viticulture, offering a profound dialogue between grape, altitude, and earth.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 58–62°F in a Burgundy or universal red wine glass to best showcase its aromatic delicacy and mineral tension. Ideal pairings include grilled lamb with rosemary, mushroom risotto, seared duck breast, or Sicilian eggplant caponata. For a vegetarian match, try lentils braised with fennel and tomato. This wine will drink beautifully now but can also evolve over the next 5–7 years, developing further nuance and savory depth with time.

Soft-spoken yet volcanic at heart, the 2019 Passopisciaro Scinniri Terre Siciliane IGT is a masterclass in restraint and terroir-driven expression. It's a bottle that whispers of lava, altitude, and patient revival, one that ignites the palate with clarity and quietly commands your attention with every sip.