Alberelli di Giodo
Summary
Alberelli di Giodo is acclaimed Italian enologist Carlo Ferrini's boutique winery on Mount Etna's northern slopes, producing limited quantities of premium Etna Rosso DOC from Nerello Mascalese grown in high-altitude volcanic soils at 700-900 meters. The estate, established around 2017, combines traditional alberello vine-training methods with Ferrini's considerable winemaking expertise, quickly gaining critical recognition while maintaining an artisanal approach that respects Etna's distinctive character.
Heritage & Leadership
Alberelli di Giodo represents Carlo Ferrini's viticultural expansion into Sicily, established following his success with the Giodo estate in Montalcino. The project released its first vintage around 2017, marking Ferrini's commitment to exploring the distinctive terroir of Mount Etna. As both owner and winemaker, Ferrini brings his considerable expertise to this personal venture. His background as one of Italy's most respected enologists includes consulting work for numerous prestigious estates throughout the country. Alberelli di Giodo functions as a focused, small-scale operation that allows Ferrini to apply his winemaking philosophy to Sicily's unique volcanic landscape.
Vineyards & Wines
The vineyards of Alberelli di Giodo are situated on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, at elevations of approximately 700-900 meters above sea level, capturing the mountain's distinctive growing conditions. The name "Alberelli" directly references the traditional Sicilian bush-training method (alberello) employed in the vineyards, a system particularly suited to the region's conditions. The estate's volcanic soils, rich in minerals from Etna's eruptions, provide a distinctive growing medium that influences the character of the wines.
Nerello Mascalese, the noble red grape variety of the Etna region, forms the foundation of the estate's production. The flagship offering is an Etna Rosso DOC, crafted to express the volcanic terroir through a combination of varietal character and site-specific attributes. Production remains limited, likely under 10,000 bottles annually, maintaining the estate's position in the premium segment of Etna wines. The wines have garnered recognition from major wine critics and publications for their quality and expression of place.
Philosophy & Practice
At Alberelli di Giodo, traditional viticultural practices align with the estate's commitment to expressing Etna's unique character. The vineyards are maintained using the alberello (bush vine) training system, a method with deep historical roots in Sicilian viticulture. Harvesting is conducted by hand with careful selection of fruit, ensuring only optimal grapes enter the production process.
The winemaking approach employs traditional vinification methods, likely with fermentation in stainless steel tanks, followed by aging conducted in French oak, favoring larger format vessels over small barriques. This aging protocol reflects Ferrini's intention to preserve the distinctive character of the Nerello Mascalese grape while allowing for proper maturation. The estate's production methodology emphasizes quality over quantity, maintaining a boutique, artisanal approach that distinguishes Alberelli di Giodo within the landscape of Etna wine producers.