Barone di Villagrande

Old-vine Nerello Mascalese has grown on this volcanic slope since the 17th century, when the Nicolosi Asmundo family first planted vines at 950 metres on the black-sand soils of Mount Etna. By 1869 the estate had formalised its winemaking legacy, becoming the first on Etna to separate vinification processes for red and white grapes—a pioneering approach that allowed each varietal to express the mountain's distinctive minerality. The Etna Rosso DOC Contrada Villagrande showcases Nerello Mascalese in its purest form, while the Etna Bianco draws floral elegance from Carricante vines rooted in the same volcanic earth. A Passito made from sun-dried Malvasia delle Lipari grapes rounds out the portfolio, its concentrated sweetness a counterpoint to the taut, mineral-driven still wines. Guided tastings unfold in the estate's cellars, where traditional vinification methods remain unchanged across generations. Vineyard tours weave through the two hectares of contrada-designated vines, tracing the family's history from the 1727 bestowal of the baronial title to today's focus on varietal expression. Each tasting pairs Etna wines with local Sicilian preparations—pasta alla Norma with the Rosso, swordfish and caponata alongside the Bianco—allowing the volcanic terroir to speak through both glass and plate. The Mediterranean climate and high-altitude position create a sensory backdrop of cool breezes and views that stretch across the mountain's eastern flank. Rooms occupy the historic estate buildings, their traditional Sicilian architecture framing unobstructed sightlines to Etna's summit. Interiors honour the property's heritage without museum stiffness, offering a place to rest between cellar visits and vineyard walks. Mornings begin with the scent of volcanic soil carried on the wind; evenings close with the mountain's silhouette darkening against the sky. The kitchen draws from Sicily's eastern larder—local cheeses, Bronte pistachios, seafood from the Ionian coast—each dish calibrated to the estate's wines. Pasta alla Norma finds its match in the Etna Rosso's bright acidity, while the Passito accompanies cassata with honeyed grace. Beyond the vineyard, the slopes of Etna offer hiking trails through lava fields and chestnut forests, and the baroque towns of Catania and Taormina lie within an hour's drive, their stone facades and market squares a contrast to the mountain's raw geology.