
Palmento Costanzo
In 2010 the Costanzo Family purchased an old Palmento nestled in the heart of the Contrada Santo Spirito, not far from the Passopisciaro village, on the famous North side of Mt Etna, along with a few hectares of old, pre-phylloxera vineyards. Following a careful and respectful restoration of the Palmento, the Family purchased the remaining hectares around the winery and replanted them using the same restorative philosophy that inspired the architecture of the Palmento: planting exclusively native grapes of the area (Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, and Catarratto), and using the ancient local “Alberello” system. Lastly, they purchased a small plot in Contrada Cavaliere, in the South-western side of the Volcano, well known for its Carricante vineyards.
The main tenet of their winemaking style is simple: the greatest wines can always be found at the intersection of pure varietal character and clear sense of place. To obtain this result and respect Etna’s singular terroir, all single vineyards are harvested and fermented separately, using only native yeasts. Aging takes place following the same philosophy, either through stainless steel tanks, cement vats or neutral Slavonian large oak vats.
Today, Palmento Costanzo is run by Valeria Costanzo, her daughter Serena and an excellent team of local professionals lead by Sicilian winemaker Nicola Centonze. Farming is certified organic, and the entire winery has been recognized by the prestigious Equalitas Certification Program for its low environmental impact and virtuous social and economic practices.
Available Wines:
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"Mofete" Etna Bianco DOC
70% Carricante and 30% Catarratto from various estate vineyards. Each plot is fermented separately with native yeasts in stainless steel. A selection of the resulting batches is aged briefly on the fine lees for a 4 months.
A bright, vibrant expression of Etna Bianco showing all the mesmerizing energy of volcanic soils. Yellow stone fruit and savory mediterranean herbs on the finish.
“Mofete” means “it’s erupting” in Sicilian.
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"Bianco di Sei" Etna Bianco DOC
90% Carricante and 10% Catarratto. A selection of the best grapes from the Estate’s old vines in Contrada Santo Spirito in Passopisciaro, on the northern side of the Etna DOC Appellation. Fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel. Aged 10 months on the fine lees in stainless steel tanks.
Vibrant, and energetic. Notes of white flowers and citrus with hints of aromatic herbs and petrol.
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"Contrada Cavaliere" Etna Bianco DOC
100% old-vines Carricante from the Contrada Cavaliere sub-zone in Santa Maria di Licodia, on the southern part of the Etna Appellation, at nearly 3000 feet elevation. Fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks, and aged in stainless steel vats and tonneaux for 8 months.
Intense, rich with an ample bouquet of orange blossom, citrus and tropical fruits, complicated by notes of oregano and flint. Finishes with a savory note of iodine and crushed stones.
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"Mofete" Etna Rosso DOC
80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio from various estate vineyards in Passopisciaro. Each plot is fermented separately with native yeasts in stainless steel. A selection of the resulting batches is then assembled and aged 50% in stainless steel, 50% in 50HL Slavonian neutral oak.
A classic Etna Rosso, offering juicy wild berry aromas wrapped in the signature mineral notes typical of volcanic soils. Grilled, smoked herbs close a delicious finish.
“Mofete” means “it’s erupting” in Sicilian.
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"Nero di Sei" Etna Rosso DOC
80% Nerello Mascalese and 20% Nerello Cappuccio. A selection of the best grapes from the Estate’s old vines in Contrada Santo Spirito in Passopisciaro, on the northern side of the Etna DOC Appellation. Native yeast fermentation in large conic neutral oak vats. 2 year aging in large oak barrels.
All the energy of volcanic soils, intertwined with aromas of ripe small berries, flint and spice box.
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"Contrada Santo Spirito" Etna Rosso DOC
90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio from Palmento Costanzo’s oldest vineyards in the Contrada Santo Spirito sub-zone, fermented and aged in large vats with native yeasts. This Contrada, located on the northern side of the Etna Volcano, is perhaps one of the oldest in the Appellation, renowned for making powerful, structured yet elegant red showing all the character of volcanic soils. Palmento Costanzo’s shows a core of ripe Marasca cherry wrapped by silky tannins and notes of grilled herbs and forest floor.
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"Prefillossera" Etna Rosso DOC
90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio from Palmento Costanzo oldest vines (100+), still on their own rootstocks and yielding less than a bottle per plant. Fermented with native yeasts in French oak barrels, and aged in French oak for 2 years. This is Palmento Costanzo’s top Etna Rosso, combining the complexity of primary fruit with elegant notes of ripe citrus, clove and silky tannins for a supple, dry and vibrant finish.

Valeria and Serena Costanzo

The Etna DOC Map with all the different Contrade

Giuseppe and Valeria Costanzo

The Palmento


