The Val Damone of Sicilia lies to the northeast, comprising the winemaking regions of Mount Etna and Faro. Some of Sicilia's most exciting wines are coming from the Damone, led by producers like Passopisciaro and Bonavita, where volcanic soils meet the mighty Mediterranean.
Passopisciaro 2024 Etna Rosso Passorosso Sicilia
Elegant red from Grand Cru vineyards on the northern slopes of Etna, Passopisciaro is a benchmark producer proving just how nuanced and mineral-driven these wines can be! Aged in large cement and cask, 2024 has clean lines and captivating aromas to match a supple yet vibrant mouthfeel. Passopisciaro is led by Andrea Franchetti of Toscana’s Tenuta Trinoro, who moved to Etna in 2000 to this namesake northern village. He has developed local Contrade (vineyards) thought lost to time and has been instrumental in bringing the wine world to these turbulent slopes.
Bonavita 2022 Faro Rosso Sicilia
Ahhh Faro, few know of your amazing treasures. CHanneling Etna’s elegant fruit and savory spice, Faro wines are a shade darker, more brooding, with an unmistakable kiss of salinity from the nearby Mediterranean. Faro reds balance elegance with rusticity, making them compelling pairings with baked fish and seafood stew. The Scarfone family has been tending vines in Faro since the 1900’s, the furthest corner in eastern Sicily near Messina. Giovanni Scarfone leads the family business today, and he is helping to put Faro back on the map.
