Tenuta di Fessina

The fact that it is possible to produce truly expressive wines from ancient, neglected vines in a very short time has been impressively demonstrated by viticultural consultant Federico Curtaz, winemaker Silvia Maestrelli from the Chianti region and her husband Roberto Silva since their foundation in 2007. At their Tenuta di Fessina on Etna, originally an 18th century mill with seven hectares of vineyards, the trio has contributed a great deal to the enhancement of Sicilian wines and viticulture on Europe's mightiest volcano.

To date, the passionate team has invested heavily and almost doubled the area under vines, some of which are well over a hundred years old. The grapes of the experienced and already very successful ensemble grow on black soils on the edge of Mount Etna and not only produce elegant red wines with a strong character in small quantities, but are also responsible for great white wines.

The wines of Tenuta di Fessina are born out of love for Etna and are produced in three widely separated production sites. The main site on the northern slope of the volcano is located just outside Rovittello in the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia and consists mainly of a vineyard planted with Nerello Mascalese, which is around 80 years old. A vineyard planted exclusively with the indigenous Carricante variety and reaching an altitude of 900 metres is located on the south-western slope in Santa Maria di Locodia. This is where the Etna Bianco A'Puddara grows, which is highly rated every year. The plots on the eastern slope, in Milo, are also very suitable for growing Carricante. Other estates of the Sicilian wine company are located in Segesta and Noto in the provinces of Trapani and Syracuse. At the latter location, Tenuta di Fessina acquired a magnificent vineyard of almost two hectares with Nero d'Avola vines that are more than half a century old.

In Federico Curtaz - who worked for 20 years for wine producer Angelo Gaja in Piedmont, initially as an agronomist and later as an oenological consultant - an experienced expert was brought on board in the founding year to take responsibility for the work in the cellar. Over the years, Tenuta di Fessina has built up an excellent reputation and its wines are appreciated by wine lovers and critics worldwide.

Following the death of Silvia Maestrelli (†2022), the dedicated Fessina team is successfully continuing the life's work of this passionate winemaker. We are certain that it is not only Silvia's passion for this region that will live on at Fessina. Thanks to the experienced crew, the winery's wines will continue to hold a firm place in the Sicilian wine landscape in the future and impress lovers of exciting Etna wines vintage after vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

"Stylistically, Federico Curtaz has been realising his idea in this Sicilian adventure since the first harvest that Fessina wines must bring out the typical aromas of the vine and the unique, volcanic terroir in the best possible way, without sacrificing finesse in the slightest." Gambero Rosso