Passopisciaro 2020

The freshness and aromatic style of a Sicilian white wine from Etna

The estate

The Passopisciaro estate was founded in 2000 by Andrea Franchetti. Following the purchase of a high-altitude farm, this Tuscan winemaker was eager to produce fine Sicilian wines from a vineyard composed exclusively of old vines, some of which had resisted phylloxera.

Located on the slopes of Mount Etna, on the Contrada Guardiola above the village of Passopisciaro, the estate watches over a vineyard of 26 hectares. Situated at an altitude of 1000 metres, this exceptional terroir comprises a mosaic of volcanic soils that are rather arid and not very suitable for vines.

Classified as PGI Terre Siciliane due to the altitude of the vineyards, the wines of Passopiciaro are unanimously recognised for their refinement and aromatic richness.

The vineyard

Contrada ''PC'' Passochianche 2020 by Passopisciaro is a Sicilian wine made from a small parcel of Chardonnay, whose vines are planted on terraces at an altitude of 870 to 950 metres and are 20 years old on average.

Produced in very limited quantities, this wine offers a precise and refined expression of the multiple identities of each of Etna's terroirs as well as the know-how collected over the years by the estate's teams.

The vintage

The year 2020 was marked by unstable and rainy weather until the end of July when conditions were milder. Rainfall at the beginning of August and September preceded a more favourable period in September and early October, enabling the grapes to ripen beautifully until the harvest.

Vinification and ageing

The hand-picked grapes are destemmed and then undergo cold maceration for 12 hours before being vinified by plot. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in large neutral oak barrels. Aged for 17 months in large oak barrels.

The blend

Contrada ''PC'' Passochianche 2020 by Passopisciaro is made up of 100% Chardonnay.