From the volcanic soils of Mount Etna, Tenuta di Fessina crafts mineral-driven, expressive wines from varieties indigenous to Sicily, showcasing the long history and heritage of the place. For over 4000 years Sicilians have been producing wine. Today’s selections reflect a sense of place beyond their history, as each wine showcases the volcanic soils of Mount Etna. Basalt, lava, tuff, and ash give mineral-rich intensity to the wines, melding with freshness imparted from high elevations vineyards, growing on the mountainsides of the majestic volcano. Living on an island with volcanic activity makes these wines extremely special to me, as every day I feel the energy, vibrancy, and power of the volcanoes on Hawaii Island. To taste this energy in the glass is remarkable, especially in wines from grapes that may not be on your radar, like Carricante, Catarratto, and Minnella.

Tenuta di Fessina Erse Bianco ($25) blends these three varieties, gown at various elevations of their mountainside vineyards ranging in age from 70 – 90 years old, creating fresh, racy wine with incredible minerality, flint, lemon zest, and lingering saline.