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Red dry
Terre Nere Prephylloxera Etna Rosso DOC 2020 is one of the most prestigious Sicilian red wines, produced from century-old vines that have remained undamaged by phylloxera. It is an extremely rare and valuable wine that reflects the historical importance of the Etna region and its unique volcanic terroir.
The wine reveals a combination of red cherries, raspberries, rose petals, smoke, herbs and minerals. The taste is refined, with elegant tannins, delicate acidity and a long, mineral aftertaste.
The pre-phylloxera vines (120-140 years old) grow in the Calderara Sottana vineyard, on the northern slopes of Etna, at an altitude of approximately 600-800 m above sea level. This is one of the few regions in Europe where phylloxera has not destroyed the old vines, as the volcanic soil is not suitable for them.
The harvest is hand-picked, very carefully, selecting only the healthiest berries.
The grapes are fermented with natural yeasts, using the traditional long maceration of the skins, which allows for a deeper color, tannin and aroma profile.
The wine is aged for about 18 months in French oak barrels, some of which are new. It is then further aged in bottles.
Serve at 16-18° C with tuna tartare, beef carpaccio, pizzas, cured ham, cheeses.
Don Peppino was a farmer who was born in a house on this property, and he worked in the vineyards for 70 years, since he was 10 years old. He died just over five years ago. This excellent wine is dedicated to him. The Tenuta delle Terre Nere 2020 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Prephylloxera le Vigne di Don Peppino shows extra freshness and crisp fruit definition. Indeed, fruit is sourced from the highest part of the Calderara site. This is a soft and silky expression with a seriously long-lasting and nuanced finish. The wine is firm in terms of mouthfeel, and the tannins fade away elegantly.
Aromas of stone, clay, orange peel, dried sage, baked red cherry and moss. Medium-to full-bodied with tense tannins that drive the palate and keep all of the complex fruit, mineral and herbal notes in line. So much to unpack. There’s depth, intensity and complexity, all in line with one another. Pine cone at the end. From organically grown grapes. Made from two parcels of ungrafted old vines in Contrada Calderara Sottana. Best from 2025.
Tenuta delle Terre Nere is a prestigious Sicilian estate located on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, at 600–1,000 meters above sea level, near the town of Randazzo. Founded in 2002 by renowned Italian wine ambassador Marco de Grazia, it quickly became one of the most recognized wineries dedicated to expressing this unique terroir. The volcanic soils, rich in minerals, give the wines their distinctive character, while organic practices and meticulous handwork ensure authenticity and the highest quality.
Tenuta delle Terre Nere wines are celebrated for their elegance, finesse, and minerality, often described as Burgundy-style wines from Sicily.
Red wines – made primarily from ‘Nerello Mascalese’ with a small proportion of ‘Nerello Cappuccio’. They reveal expressive red fruit aromas, subtle notes of spice and herbs, silky tannins, and a mineral-driven, long-lasting finish. Often compared to ‘Pinot Noir’ for their structure and aromatic profile.
White wines – based on ‘Carricante’, stand out for their freshness, citrus and white flower notes, refined minerality, and precise acidity.
One of the estate’s greatest strengths is its “cru” philosophy. Tenuta delle Terre Nere was among the first in Etna to vinify single-vineyard wines. Each cru has a unique character and expression: Calderara Sottana, Feudo di Mezzo, Guardiola, San Lorenzo, Santo Spirito, among others. These sites showcase Etna’s extraordinary soil diversity and allow the creation of highly refined and complex wines.
Tenuta delle Terre Nere wines are matured with a delicate use of oak, enriching structure without overshadowing the terroir’s authenticity. Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco are best enjoyed young, when their fruit and freshness are most vibrant. The estate’s cru red wines, however, possess significant aging potential—over time they become increasingly complex, revealing the full depth and refinement of Etna’s terroir.
