Carlo Ferrini's Masterpiece

Carlo Ferrini is a former winemaker/consultant who worked with the Mazzei Family and others, before narrowing down to focus on his real passion - making his own incredible wines. This started with his estate in Montalcino, and now continues with him opening Alberelli di Giodo in Etna with his daughter, Bianca.

Awarded three times the title ‘winemaker of the year’ and famous for making a splendid Brunello, Carlo Ferrini is one of the most celebrated consultants who has shaped Italy’s wine industry. In recent years, he fell under the irresistible spell of Mount Etna and started a new project in 2012. He only produces two single varietal wines, which have been critically acclaimed and have become Etna’s little jewels. We have seen demand increase over the past couple of years and with only 10,000 bottles made for both wines you may want to secure your allocation.

Ferrini seems to have fully bought the new mantra that elegance plus local character and grape varieties are desirable attributes and the Alberelli di Giodo wines are truly commendable. - Jancis Robinson

He owns eight small plots of land planted with pre-phylloxera vines which are 80-100 years old. His vines are planted on the “Man-Nerello”, the volcano’s highest peak responsible for Etna’s highest quality and purest expression of the region’s vineyards. However, it is above the official Etna DOC’s limit, which now seems to have been drawn too low, so Alberelli di Giodo is sold with the much less specific denomination Sicilia. All vined are trained using the ancient Alberello (low bush) system.

We have had a long relationship with Carlo as he was one of our winemakers! His latest projects have seen him spread his wings, and we couldn't be prouder of our old friend. Alberelli di Giodo is one of the best Etna wineries I've seen, with brilliant single varietals, a rarity on the island. - Giovanni Mazzei, Founder of Petersham Cellar

Alberelli di Giodo Nerello Mascalese 2019

His main wine is a 100% Nerello Mascalese sourced from vines around 80 years old sitting at 950m above sea level. Fermented and macerated in open-top steel vats, with gentle punch downs but no pump overs. Around 7,000 bottles are made.

The Alberelli di Giodo 2019 Sicilia Nerello Mascalese is a wine true to its volcanic roots. This elegant grape variety reveals a tight embroidery of aromas with wild rose, sour cherry, white pepper and campfire ash. The tannins are polished and long, and this deftly made Nerello Mascalese is endowed with plenty of natural freshness and tart berry flavors that drive a long, nuanced finish. This is another super star bottle from winemaker Carlo Ferrini. - 96 points Robert Parker

Alberelli di Giodo Carricante 2020

Carricante, a difficult grape to fashion into a cohesive wine, requires care and experience. The vines have an average age of 50 years sitting between 800-900m above sea level. Aged on the lees for six months and further ten months in bottle. Only 3500 bottles are produced.

Carlo Ferrini hits it out of the ballpark with this bottle, his first white wine from Etna. This is one of the most exciting new wines I tasted this year. The 2020 Sicilia Carricante is excellent, with a level of freshness, sharpness and focus that makes this a truly memorable drinking experience. The wine is redolent of citrus, wild sage and white flower, and of course you also get plenty of that volcanic character with salty mineral, ash and crushed stone. Winemaking in stainless steel is straightforward, and Carlo holds the wine back one year before it hits the market. This bottle is proof that some of the most interesting wines from Etna today are the whites - 94 points Robert Parker