Vino Di Anna, Palmento Bianco, Sicily, Italy

Who - Anna Martens & Eric Narioo, Vino Di Anna
Where - Etna, Sicily, Italy
What - Orange Wine - Carricante, Insolia, Grillo, Catarratto
When - 2024
How - Organic / Biodynamic. Four varieties from across Sicily fermented separately with differing amounts of skin contact, depending on the variety, but all using the natural, indigenous yeasts. 

Anna and Eric first made wine together in Sicily in 2008 and purchased their first vines, on the north side of Mount Etna, in 2010, along with a semi-derelict traditional palmento and wine cellar. Their aim is to make wines that truly express the unique climate and soils of Sicily.

While their main focus is on wine from vineyards on Etna for Palmento Bianco they also use grapes from other sites around the island. The Carricante, making up 40% of the blend, is from their vineyards of decomposed lava soils on the north side of Etna. The Inzolia is from limestone clay soils near Vittoria. The Grillo is grown in mineral rich, red, sandy soils near Marsala. And the Catarratto is from the hills of Alcamo in the north west of the island. 

All wines, including Palmentno Bianco, are vinified by Anna and Eric at their winery near Solicchiata using just the natural, indigenous yeasts at ambient temperature, with no additions other than tiny doses of sulphur when the wines need it. They are naturally clarified by gravity and bottled unfiltered. Various vessels are used for vinification and ageing including lava stone, chestnut and French wood, Georgian qvevri, glass and stainless steel.

The farm also produces olive oil and raises the rare Sicilian Black Bee. 

Palmento Bianco is intended to be a true island wine: pale lemon / lime in colour, with aromas of white flowers and fresh lemon, and a refreshing acidity and mineral, almost saline finish. Perfect with seafood, fresh cheeses, and salads.