Nuna Etna Bianco Superiore DOC 2021 - Tenute di Nuna

Tenute di Nuna is located in the village of Sant’Alfio, just outside Milo, the historic heart of Etna’s Versante Est and widely regarded as the cru for Carricante-based white wines. The estate is the creation of Maria Novella (‘Nuna’) Trantino and Fabio Percolla, both originally from Catania. Their journey began in 2006 when they purchased a 5-hectare parcel of land in Sant’Alfio, which they planted to Carricante in 2010 using the spalliera (vertical trellis) system. Their first harvest and bottling was in 2015, under the Etna Bianco DOC.

The vineyards sit at an impressive 880m above sea level, on the 1971 lava flow, with sweeping views over the Mediterranean Sea and Mt. Etna towering behind. Despite significant rainfall, the free-draining volcanic soils maintain grape concentration, and a crisp marine breeze tempers the growing season. Interestingly, Fabio notes changes in the local climate—particularly a reduction in September and October rainfall—which may influence future harvest timings.

Since 2018 the estate has adopted organic viticulture.

Sourced from the estate’s new alberello-trained vineyard in Milo, planted in 2017/2018 on the opposite side of a dramatic lava flow from their Sant’Alfio plot. This site is rich in iron (calamita) and lapilli, contributing to the wine’s notable minerality and structure.

Deeper golden in hue, the nose opens with classic agrumi (citrus peel), white stone fruit, and subtle herbal notes. Aged for 14 months following low-temperature fermentation, malolactic conversion, and time in oak, this wine has a Burgundian sensibility—combining textural weight and fruit depth with a precise core of crisp acidity, saline drive, and mineral length. Elegant and layered, it’s a poised and promising debut that clearly reflects both site and intent.