2024 Salvo Foti 'I Vigneri' Rosso

This wine is the most direct expression of Salvo Foti’s philosophy. It is not the most rare wine of the estate, and it is not meant to carry the same monumental weight as Vinupetra, but it may be the clearest introduction to what I Vigneri stands for: old methods, native grapes, volcanic soils and human work before cellar technique.

Salvo Foti is one of the essential figures in the modern history of Etna wine. Long before Etna became fashionable internationally, he defended the mountain’s traditional viticulture: alberello-trained vines, manual work, local varieties, palmento culture and a deep respect for the people who farmed these slopes before the region became prestigious. The name I Vigneri itself looks back to the Maestranza dei Vigneri, the historic guild of Etna vine-growers founded in Catania in 1435.

This wine is made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, the two classic red grapes of Etna. Nerello Mascalese provides the wine’s perfume, acidity, fine tannins and volcanic tension. Nerello Cappuccio adds colour, softness and a rounder fruit profile, helping to make the wine more open and generous in its youth.

The winemaking is deliberately traditional. The vines are trained in alberello etneo, and the grapes are crushed by foot without destemming. Fermentation is spontaneous, with the skins and stems remaining in contact with the must for 8 days. This gives the wine structure and savoury grip without pushing it into heaviness.

In the glass, it shows a bright ruby colour. The nose is pure and expressive, with red cherry, wild strawberry, raspberry, dried herbs, violet, black pepper, ash and a subtle smoky volcanic note. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and round, fresh and savoury, with juicy red fruit, fine tannins and a clean mineral finish.

Etna's red wine in its most human and traditional form. Its importance lies in honesty, clarity and cultural continuity: a wine that speaks of Nerello, lava, alberello vines and the old manual intelligence of the Etna vineyard.

100% Organic.

Smoked duck breast, grilled lamb cutlets, roast pork loin with herbs, pasta with a tomato-based sauce, or aged cheeses.

Serve: 16–18 °C
Drink: 2025–2032