Pietradolce
Summary
Pietradolce is a family-owned winery established in 2005 on Mount Etna's northern slopes, cultivating 11 hectares of high-elevation vineyards (650-900m) where they focus on indigenous varieties like Nerello Mascalese and Carricante in distinctive volcanic soils. Their minimalist approach combines organic farming practices with gentle winemaking techniques, while their exceptional old-vine parcels and single-vineyard expressions have quickly established them as significant contributors to Sicily's viticultural renaissance.
Heritage & Leadership
Pietradolce was established in 2005 by the Faro family on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. The winery is situated in the Solicchiata district within the commune of Castiglione di Sicilia, an area with a long viticultural history. The Faro family, with deep roots in the region, founded the estate with a clear vision to showcase the distinctive character of Etna's indigenous grape varieties and volcanic terroir.
The winery operates under family ownership, with Michele Faro directing operations. The family chose the name "Pietradolce," meaning "sweet stone" in Italian, as a reference to the volcanic stones that define their vineyard sites. Since its founding, Pietradolce has maintained a focused approach, gradually expanding from their initial vineyard holdings while maintaining their commitment to quality over quantity.
Vineyards & Wines
Pietradolce cultivates approximately 11 hectares (27 acres) of vineyards distributed across the northern slopes of Mount Etna. These vineyards are situated at elevations ranging from 650 to 900 meters above sea level, positioning them in the upper tier of Etna's growing zones. The estate's parcels include pre-phylloxera vineyards with vines exceeding 80-100 years of age, particularly for their Nerello Mascalese plantings.
The volcanic soils of their vineyards feature a high mineral content, with black pumice stone and volcanic ash predominating. This distinctive soil composition, combined with significant diurnal temperature variations at these elevations, creates the foundation for their viticulture. Pietradolce focuses primarily on Sicily's indigenous varieties: Nerello Mascalese for red wines, complemented by smaller plantings of Nerello Cappuccio, and Carricante for whites.
Their wine portfolio includes Etna Rosso DOC (primarily Nerello Mascalese), Etna Bianco DOC (Carricante), and several single-vineyard bottlings that express specific terroirs within their holdings. Notable among these are "Archineri" and "Barbagalli," both single-vineyard Etna Rossos from old-vine Nerello Mascalese, and "Vigna Sant'Andrea," a single-vineyard Etna Bianco from Carricante.
Philosophy & Practice
Pietradolce adheres to a minimalist approach in both vineyard management and winemaking. In the vineyard, they practice organic farming methods, working to maintain the natural balance of their ecosystem while emphasizing hand cultivation and harvesting. The challenging terrain of their mountain vineyards necessitates manual labor for most viticultural operations.
In the cellar, their winemaking philosophy centers on gentle handling to preserve the natural expression of their fruit and terroir. For their red wines, fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, followed by aging that varies by wine: their standard Etna Rosso typically ages for 8-12 months in large neutral oak casks, while single-vineyard expressions may see extended aging of 14-18 months. Their white wines ferment and age primarily in stainless steel to maintain freshness and mineral character.
Temperature control during fermentation is a key technical aspect of their process, allowing for slow, steady fermentations that preserve aromatic compounds. Pietradolce employs minimal filtration and low sulfur additions, particularly for their premium bottlings, in keeping with their non-interventionist approach. This methodology aims to translate the distinctive volcanic character of their vineyards into wines that reflect Etna's unique growing conditions and indigenous grape varieties.