territories
We are thrilled to welcome you to the heart of one of Italy’s most fascinating wine territories. Here, amidst the majestic slopes of Mount Etna, unique wines are born that carry the character and soul of this extraordinary land.
Were we are
We are situated on the North slope of Mount Etna at Passopisciaro, an area where viticulture goes back several thousand years.
Our vineyards are to be found at an altitude of between 600 and 1,000 metres above sea level. Planting density ranges between 6,000 and 10,000 vines per hectare. Some of the vines are on their own roots, that is to say are ungrafted.
Contrada MUGANAZZI
This is a historic property that once belonged to the brilliant and mysterious gentleman, Ettore Majorana, in the heart of Passopisciaro, 700 meters above sea level. Now planted with 2.5 hectares of Nerello Mascalese and 3 hectares with Carricante.
Contrada SANTO SPIRITO
0.9 hectares of Carricante planted in 2019. These are the youngest vineyards of Graci.
Contrada FEUDO DI MEZZO
1.5 hectares of 80-year-old vineyards on the northern side of Etna, 600 meters above sea level. Planted with Nerello Mascalese and a small part with Nerello Cappuccio, cultivated as an “alberello.” Surrounded by olive and almond trees. Very sandy soil, fine texture. This is a place where each grape matures luxuriously. It is the first vineyard to be harvested every year and gives us a wide and generous wine.
Contrada ARCURÌA
20 hectares of vineyards with five different types of volcanic soils. Between 600 and 700 meters above sea level, in Passopisciaro, on the northern side of the volcano. A natural amphitheater exposed to cold and dry winds that blow from the north. This is an ideal place to grow grapes, able to offer perfect ripening in good vintages and to keep tension and acceleration in warm vintages. This cru has 15 hectares of Nerello Mascalese, 4 hectares of Carricante, 1 hectare of Catarratto cultivated with the espalier with a planting height of 2 meters for 0.80 meters with more than 6.000 plants per hectare; a part is planted with a sapling, ungrafted plants, with a density of 10,000 vines per hectare. The age of
the vines varies between 15 and 70 years.
Contrada BARBABECCHI
VigAlberello-trained vineyard of 2 hectares at 1,000 meters above sea level. Barbabecchi is located in Solicchiata, on the north side of Mount Etna, planted with ungrafted Nerello Mascalese about 100-years old on terraces and dry stone walls between apple trees, chestnut trees, balsamic herbs, hazelnuts, and olive trees. Barbabecchi is a place of paradox, with a northern climate and African sun. At this altitude, grapes are harvested in November. From this vineyard comes a wine that combines depth and austerity, bottled only in great expression vintages.
Vineyard SOPRA IL POZZO in Contrada Arcurìa
1.5 hectares of vineyard planted with Nerello Mascalese. An in-depth research carried out in 2004 on the grounds of the Contrada highlighted the diversity of texture, profile and chemical composition of each individual vineyard. Every year, this is always recognizable for transparency, lightness, fluidity, but also for complexity: an hermetic wine. This wine’s name comes from “Sopra il Pozzo,” a vineyard that was discovered to have a different soil from all the others: a continuous alternation of layers of stone and coarse sand called “rifusa.” This is a vineyard capable of expressing transparency and depth at the same time. Bottled only in great expression vintages.
