Graci

Graci is one of Etna's most famous and highly rated producers. The winery is located near Passopisciaro, on the northern slope of the volcano, in one of the areas historically best suited for the cultivation of vines and in particular of the native red grape varieties: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. The architect of the brand's success is Alberto Graci, who, after his university studies in economics in Milan and some work experience in the industry, decided to return to his homeland to start his own project. The idea was clear from the beginning: to produce high-quality wines on Etna, so as to enhance an extraordinary and unique heritage of old vines and a thousand-year-old tradition.
The estate covers a total of about 30 hectares, located in the Alcantara Valley area. The vineyards are divided into numerous plots, at an altitude between 600 and 1100 meters above sea level, in Contrada Arcurìa, Contrada Feudo Di Mezzo, Contrada Muganazzi, Contrada Santo Spirito and Contrada Barbabecchi. The vines are almost all bush-trained, many are more than a hundred years old and still planted in the "piede franco" style before the advent of phylloxera. The largest body of the vineyard, about 20 hectares, is located in Contrada Arcuria, in an area with a cool, breezy climate, which, thanks to excellent exposure, ensures excellent ripening of the grapes. The Feudo di mezzo vineyard (1.5ha) is over 80 years old and lies on fine sandy soils at an altitude of about 600 meters. The mild microclimate favors early ripening and gives ample, rich wines. In Contrada Muganazzi (5.5ha), at an altitude of 700 meters, are splendid vineyards of Nerello Mascalese and Carricante, while in Contrada Santo Spirito (0.9ha) are the youngest Carricante vines.
The estate's highest vineyard is located or over 1,000 meters, in Contrada Barbabecchi di Solicchiata (2ha). The century-old vines are planted on terraces in a place with a very cool climate, which allows harvesting in November and producing a wine of extraordinary elegance, refined and austere. The winery's philosophy is geared toward highlighting the particularities of each terroir and the peculiarities of the vintage, offering wines with a strong personality. The vineyards are cultivated under certified organic farming and are managed with low yields to enhance the aromatic concentration of the grapes. In the winery, careful and very delicate vinification is practiced to preserve the varietal notes of the vines and make wines that authentically reflect Etna's terroir.