The Graci Portfolio: A Taste of the Mountain
Walking through the ancient palmento at Graci Winery, past the historic barrels and screw press, you get a sense of the reverence Alberto has for the mountain's history. This is a place where every element tells a story of Etna. Alberto's winemaking philosophy is not about imposing a style on the grapes, but rather guiding them to express the mountain's voice. The portfolio of wines that results is a pure reflection of this philosophy.
All of the wines follow a minimal intervention protocol, with organic farming, spontaneous fermentation, and the use of large, neutral wood or concrete to guide the aging process without imparting a heavy oak flavor. This approach, which focuses on elegance and finesse over power, allows the unique characteristics of each vineyard, or contrada, to shine through. From the entry-level blends to the single-vineyard expressions, each wine is a distinct taste of the mountain's complex, volcanic terroir.
Etna Bianco DOC
Winemaking: A blend of 90% Carricante and 10% Catarratto from various vineyards across the northern slope of Etna. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented in stainless steel tanks using native yeasts. The wine is aged for about 9 months on its lees in stainless steel before bottling. The addition of a small amount of Catarratto adds roundness and body to the crisp Carricante.
Tasting Note: Pale straw-yellow with a green hue. The nose offers delicate aromas of lemon peel, pear, and white flowers, with a distinct mineral and flinty character. The palate is fresh and crisp, with bright citrus and green apple notes balanced by a savory, almost saline finish. It has a full-bodied texture with a long, clean finish.
MSRP: ~$40
Etna Rosato DOC
Winemaking: Made from 100% Nerello Mascalese sourced from various vineyards on the northern slope. The grapes undergo a soft press without a maceration on the skins to achieve its very light color. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with native yeasts. The wine is aged in steel before bottling.
Tasting Note: A beautiful pale slightly pink color. The nose is elegant and subtle, with notes of wild strawberry, tart cranberry, and rose petals. On the palate, it's fresh and vibrant with a touch of tannins that gives it structure. Red fruit flavors mingle with a zesty citrus undertone and a persistent, saline finish that speaks of its volcanic home.
MSRP: ~$30
Etna Rosso DOC
Winemaking: 100% Nerello Mascalese from various vineyards on the northern slope. The grapes are gently crushed and fermented in concrete tanks and large oak tini with a maceration of around 20 days. The wine is aged for 18 months in a mix of large Slavonian oak casks and concrete before bottling. This is the perfect entry point into the Graci style.
Tasting Note: A light, clear ruby red with a hint of garnet. The bouquet is ethereal, with notes of dried cherries, red currants, sweet herbs, and hints of smoke and earth. The palate is light to medium-bodied with a fine, silky texture. It has bright acidity, elegant tannins, and a long, mineral-driven finish.
MSRP: ~$40
Etna Bianco Arcurìa DOC
Winemaking: This is Graci’s single-vineyard expression of Etna Bianco, made from 100% Carricante from the Arcurìa contrada at 600-700 meters. The wine is fermented in 15 hl oak and 30 hl steel and aged for 12 months on its fine lees followed by another 12 months in bottle.
Tasting Note: A vibrant gold color with green highlights. The aromas are powerful and complex, with lemon zest, green apple, white peach, and a smoky, flinty character. The palate is full-bodied and intense, with a racy, mineral-laden acidity that gives way to a long, saline finish. A wine of great tension and aging potential.
MSRP: ~$75
Etna Bianco Muganazzi DOC
Winemaking: 100% Carricante from the high-altitude Muganazzi contrada at 900 meters. This cool, rocky vineyard produces low yields. The wine is fermented partially in stainless steel and partially in a large neutral oak barrel, then aged for 12 months on the lees and 12 months in bottle. This is a powerful expression of high-altitude Carricante.
Tasting Note: A pale straw-yellow with intense clarity. The nose offers notes of fresh citrus, lemongrass, and a distinct herbal character with a powerful crushed stone minerality. The palate is extremely focused and linear, with bright, high-toned acidity and a long, salty finish. A lean but structured wine that will evolve beautifully with age.
MSRP: ~$75
Etna Rosso Arcurìa DOC
Winemaking: 100% Nerello Mascalese from the Arcurìa contrada. The grapes are from very old vines, many of them trained in the traditional alberello system. The wine is fermented with a gentle maceration in large wooden vats called 'tini' and aged for 18 months in these same vessels and at least 6 months in bottle. The result is a wine known for its elegance and finesse.
Tasting Note: A pale, shimmering ruby color. The nose is incredibly aromatic with notes of small red cherries, orange peel, sweet spices, and savory herbs. The palate is elegant and light on its feet, with firm but silky tannins and a lively acidity. It has a beautiful, long finish that is pure and mineral-driven.
MSRP: ~$75
Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo DOC
Winemaking: This is Graci’s boldest red, made from 95% Nerello Mascalese and 5% Nerello Cappuccio from the Feudo di Mezzo contrada. The grapes are fermented in large wooden vats with a long maceration of 30 days. The wine is aged for 18 months in large oak casks and at least 6 months in bottle. The heavier, deeper soils of this vineyard produce a richer, more powerful wine.
Tasting Note: A deep ruby color. The aromas are powerful, with notes of dark red cherries, blackberries, dried herbs, and a savory, earthy undertone. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with a rich fruit core and robust, rustic tannins. It has a smoky, mineral finish that gives it tension and balance.
MSRP: ~$75
Etna Rosso Arcurìa “Sopra il Pozzo”
Winemaking: This is a special, single-vineyard bottling made exclusively in the best years from a specific, small sub-plot within the Arcurìa contrada. It is 100% Nerello Mascalese from very old vines, many of them trained in the traditional alberello system. The wine is fermented with a gentle maceration in large wooden vats called 'tini' and aged for 18 months in these same vessels and at least 12 months in bottle. As a special bottling, it receives even more attention to detail, resulting in a wine of profound elegance and concentration.
Tasting Note: A luminous, pale ruby color. The bouquet is incredibly complex and precise, with focused aromas of red cherry, wild raspberry, volcanic earth, and delicate balsamic herbs. The palate is elegant and light on its feet, with a powerful mineral core and exceptionally refined, silky tannins. It has a remarkably long, pure, and penetrating finish that will continue to evolve beautifully with time.
MSRP: ~$210
Etna Rosso Quota 1000 Barbabecchi Sicilia DOC
Winemaking: 100% Nerello Mascalese from the highest of Graci’s vineyards at Barbabecchi at 1000 meters. The grapes are from ungrafted, centenarian vines. The wine is fermented in large wooden vats with a long maceration and then aged for 24 months in large oak casks and at least 12 months in bottle. This wine is not an Etna Rosso DOC due to its high altitude, but its quality and character are a profound expression of the mountain.
Tasting Note: A brilliant garnet color. The bouquet is complex and profound, with notes of red cherry, wild plum, rhubarb, licorice, balsamic herbs, and a hint of pepper. The palate is vibrant and rustic, with a lively freshness, firm tannins, and a deep mineral core. This is a wine built for the cellar and is a true expression of high-altitude Etna.
MSRP: ~$210
