Alfio Cosentino ‘Vigna Don Paolo’ Etna Bianco Superiore DOC 2022

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

Vigna Don Paolo is a pure expression of Carricante and Etna, embodying elegance, complexity, and a crucial tension layered with volcanic spice and the saline minerality of Etna’s east face.

About Alfio Cosentino

For years, vinification took place at the old millstone adjacent to the vineyard. Although the production techniques were not cutting-edge, the wine was of excellent quality and was mostly sold in bulk to the merchants of Riposto, who exported it to France.

Fast forward to 1988, when a young Salvo Foti became the oenologist at Etna producer Benanti. Salvo negotiated to buy the family’s Carricante grapes and went on to create the flagship Pietramarina, a wine of superior quality that marked a historical turning point for the wines of Etna and demonstrated their potential to the world.

In 2007, Alfio Cosentino took over the management of this family-run vineyard and decided to embark on a new venture, creating their own wine from this vineyard. From the 2016 vintage, he began, for the first time, to bottle the Etna Bianco Superiore DOC wine obtained from the grapes of this over 100-year-old vine, naming it “Vigna Don Paolo” in honor of the original owner whose family planted the vines in the late 1800s.

In the Vineyard

The grapes come from one of the most prestigious white vineyards on the mountain, located in the tightly held Contrada Caselle in Milo at 800masl. The unique volcanic soils have an important presence of Ripiddu (eruptive volcanic pumice). The vines are of course Alberello Etneo (Etna Bush Vines) with traditional Etna chestnut brace.

The Carricante in this vineyard was planted between 1895 and 1898, forming an important part of Etna’s white wine history. This vineyard produced one of Etna’s most famous wines, the Benanti Pietramarina, crafted by a young Salvo Foti.

The Cosentino family has owned this special vineyard since the 1960s, having purchased it for the mere sum of 45,000 lira from Don Paolo Chiarenza.

In the Winery

The winemaking was entrusted to none other than Salvo Foti, reuniting him with a vineyard he started making wine from in 1988. Salvo’s deep knowledge of the Milo terroir truly showcases his expertise as a bianchista (white wine lover). Hand harvested. Direct Press with short maceration. Aged in steel for 12 months and only lighted filtered at bottling. A further 6 months of ageing in bottle before release.

Where in the World is Alfio Cosentino?

Alfio Cosentino is located in Milo on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy.