Statella
ETNA BIANCO, ITALY | 2021
In 2016 Calogero Statella, along with his wife Rita, purchased just over 1.6 hectares of vineyards in the Etna growing region. Hardly a newcomer to wine or Etna, Cal has already enjoyed plenty of success over the first 20 years of his career. Graduating at the top of his class from enology school in San Michele all’Adige, he then studied viticulture at the University of Milan. During that time he worked harvest for his soon to become mentor and friend, Elio Altare, a famous producer of Barolo. After school he worked for the giant wine company, Mezzacorona, who along with their holdings in NE Italy, produced 20 million bottles in Sicily. It was there that Cal reconnected with his birthplace, and landed a job as the winemaker at Tenuta delle Terre Nere in Randazzo, a position he has held for 13 years. It is always exciting to see a successful winemaker start their own project. What is the story they will tell with their wines?
While Etna is more well known for its red wines, great white wines can be produced. The 2021 Etna Bianco from Statella is one of the best Etna white wines I’ve ever tasted. It is produced from 90% Carricante and 10% Catarratto. The grapes are grown in two places, on the north side, in the sub region of Castiglione di Sicilia, as well as Milo, an area located on the eastern side of Etna. The altitude of the vineyards are around 750 meters, this along with their exposure helps to keep freshness in the grapes. The vines, which were planted in 2005, were done so in a mixture of black volcanic sand and rock. Production is straight forward. Hand picked grapes, fermented with natural yeast in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged on its lees for 6 months before bottling.
The wine is wonderfully aromatic, with notes of preserved lemon, apple and a saline quality. Complex notes of citrus and orchard fruit, mineral and spice can be found on the palate. There is some weight and texture to the wine, but ultimately it feels lively and has a very long finish. Great Etna white is difficult to get your hands on, so don’t miss this!