Palmento Caselle 2021 I Vigneri di Salvo Foti

Palmento Caselle 2021 Etna DOC: 100% ungrafted Carricante

Story of Palmento Caselle 2021

Palmento Caselle 2021 comes from a tiny 0.30-hectare plot in Contrada Caselle, Milo, on the eastern slopes of Etna at 750 meters. The Carricante vines are the result of over 20 years of massal selection by Salvo Foti, planted with the ancient Etna method of magliuoli — own-rooted, ungrafted.

Vineyard and vinification

The 2,400 bush-trained Alberello Etneo vines, supported by local chestnut poles, are cultivated by hand using only natural products. Average yield: 2,000 kg of grapes per parcel (~6,800 kg/ha). Harvested in early October, the whole bunches are directly pressed, then naturally decanted for 30 hours. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts (Pied de cuve), no industrial additives.

Aged 6 months in steel, racked and bottled according to lunar phases. Only 1,700 individually numbered bottles are produced.

Tasting notes

Bright straw yellow, aromas of citrus, white flowers, Mediterranean herbs, palate lively, mineral and salty, with a long, volcanic finish.

Technical sheet

• Denomination: Etna DOC

• Location: Caselle, Milo (Etna East, 750 m a.s.l.)

• Grapes: 100% Carricante, ungrafted

• Parcel size: 0.30 ha

• Vines: approx. 2,400

• Planted: 2010

• Harvest: early October

• Vinification: direct pressing, natural settling

• Fermentation: native yeasts, 15–20 days

• Aging: 6 months steel

• Alcohol: 12%

• Total acidity: 7 g/l

• pH: 3.1

• Total sulfites: 50 mg/l

• Bottles: approx. 1,700

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I Vigneri di Salvo Foti: history of heroic viticulture on Etna

I Vigneri di Salvo Foti was founded in 2001 thanks to the thirty years of experience of Salvo Foti, a Sicilian enologist and agronomist, who aimed to bring authenticity and sustainability back to Etna’s viticulture. Located in Milo, in the heart of the Etna area, the winery has become a benchmark for those seeking wines that express the true essence of the volcano, enhancing local traditions and respect for the environment.

Philosophy and vineyard practices at I Vigneri

The winery’s philosophy is based on sustainable and nature-respecting viticulture. The vineyards are cultivated using the traditional Alberello method, declared UNESCO heritage, which involves low-trained vines manually worked to preserve biodiversity and reduce environmental impact. The use of natural materials such as chestnut poles, natural fiber ropes, and local sheep manure completes a virtuous agricultural system where solar energy and manual labor are central, avoiding heavy machinery and plastics.

Winemaking approach: tradition and innovation

The cellar is located in an ancient 1840 lava stone palmento in Milo, where winemaking takes advantage of gravity to reduce energy use. Here the wines ferment spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and age in neutral containers such as used wood, concrete, and stainless steel to keep the unique character of the Etna terroir intact. This artisanal approach ensures natural wines that are a pure expression of the territory and the vintage.

Key wines from I Vigneri di Salvo Foti

Among the winery’s most appreciated wines are Nerello Mascalese, an elegant and mineral red; Carricante, a white with great freshness and complexity; and Minnella, a rare native variety that produces aromatic and vibrant wines. Each bottle results from meticulous work in vineyard and cellar, reflecting the strength and vitality of Mount Etna.