salvo foti

  1. Benjamin Spencer and The New Wines of Mount Etna

    Benjamin Spencer and The New Wines of Mount Etna

    Benjamin Spencer, author of The New Wines of Mount Etna and Director of the Etna Wine School, is a celebrated voice in the world of wine, with a deep-rooted passion for the volcanic terroir of Sicily’s Mount Etna. As a sommelier, wine educator, and winemaker himself, Spencer brings both a scholar’s insight and a craftsman’s perspective to his exploration of Etna’s unique viticultural landscape. His book delves into the history, revival, and current renaissance of winemaking on the slopes of Europe’s highest active volcano. Spencer’s journey with Etna wines began over a decade ago, when he was captivated by the island’s dynamic ecosystem and rich winemaking heritage, which has been both challenged and nourished by the constant, unpredictable force of Etna.

    With The New Wines of Mount Etna, Spencer’s goal is not only to document a wine region on the rise but to ignite global appreciation for a winemaking tradition as old as the land itself. Grape Collective talks to Spencer about the past and the future of Etna’s wine culture and the unparalleled beauty—and complexity—of this volcanic landscape.

    Christoper Barnes: So Benjamin, talk a little bit about how you ended up on Mount Etna involved in the wine scene here.

    ...

  2. Marco de Grazia and the Rise of Mount Etna’s Volcanic Wines

    Marco de Grazia and the Rise of Mount Etna’s Volcanic Wines

    Grape Collective talks with Marco de Grazia about his unique wine journey and the incredible potential of the Mount Etna wine region. 

  3. Mario Paoluzi of I Custodi: Rediscovering Mount Etna's Traditions

    Mario Paoluzi of I Custodi: Rediscovering Mount Etna's Traditions

    Mario Paoluzi is the owner of I Custodi, an artisanal winery located on the northern slope of Mt. Etna in Sicily. I Custodi refers to themselves as the "keepers" or the "guardians" of Mt. Etna's vineyards. Their mission is to preserve the land and traditions of the region as well as to respect the people.

    Paoluzi teamed up with well-known and highly regarded oenologist Salvo Foti to produce wines from Etna's indigenous grapes using traditional methods dating back centuries. The winery is part of a very important association of Sicilian growers and producers called "I Vigneri," which dates back 500 years but has more recently been revived by Foti as a way to pass on the skills and techniques of grape growing and winemaking from older generations. As a result, previously abandoned vineyards have been revived and there has been a renewed interest in the wines of Etna. 


    Christopher Barnes: Mario, tell us a little bit about how you got into the wine business.

    Mario Paoluzi: It was 2007. I was already here in Sicily, in Catania since 2001, since I moved here from Rome for a family business reason. And I had the chance to meet with Salvo Foti, who was following at the time a project called Il Cantante that...

  4. Bonaccorsi: Etna's First-And-Always

    Bonaccorsi: Etna's First-And-Always

    ValCerasa was one of the first wines to be imported from Mount Etna to the United States and for good reason.
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