Barone di Villagrande

24.07.24

Jessica Walker

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Jascots were delighted to welcome Barone di Villagrande to the portfolio in 2023, their family estate is truly breathtaking. The 18 hectares of vineyards were planted in 1727 at 700m above sea level on the Eastern side of Mount Etna. Their estate is geologically distinct compared to most others. Volcanic activity long ago caused a fault-line into the ocean in their immediate area. This revealed older geological strata meaning their soils are coloured red as opposed to the typical black of most Etna soils. There’s also a microclimate meaning the vineyards receive 10 x more rain than the Sicilian annual average, vital in a characteristically dry growing season. The diurnal range is substantial with up to 30 degrees Celsius difference between day and night.

When the vineyards were planted in the early C18th red and white varieties were all intermingled. Over time the vines have been cloned by massal selection in a ‘one-out one-in’ policy thus retaining the genetic composition of the originals. The first separation of white and red grapes is at harvest, painstakingly carried out by hand. Their whites are DOC Superiore, made up mostly of the indigenous variety Carricante. These are sublimely textured with refreshingly well-integrated acidity and a saline lick, made by winemaker Marco Nicolosi. The Contrada spends 9 months in local chestnut wood barrels, a soft medium that does not give impart flavour into the wine. The DOC reds also spend time in chestnut barrels, the Contrada for a minimum of two years. It’s a blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Nerello Mantellato.