Tornatore
Some of Sicily’s most exciting wines are produced on the northern slopes of Mount Etna. Nestled amongst lava flows and high-altitude vineyards, the Tornatore family has been shaping the region’s wine-growing tradition for generations. Their wines combine Sicilian warmth with freshness, precision and the volcano’s characteristic minerality.
The Tornatore name has been firmly established on Mount Etna since 1865. What began as a few vines on the fertile volcanic slopes has, over the generations, developed into one of the region’s most influential wineries. A key milestone was set by grandfather Giuseppe, who built a traditional palmento – a historic wine press – in 1910, thereby laying the foundations for the further development of the family business. Today, Francesco Tornatore carries on this legacy, combining traditional knowledge with a modern approach to quality.
Tornatore is one of the leading producers of Etna DOC wines and cultivates around 100 hectares of land. The focus is on the traditional and indigenous grape varieties Carricante, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio, which authentically reflect their origins. Modern winemaking techniques combined with a deep respect for nature result in wines with an unmistakable character. As one of Italy’s most renowned estates, Tornatore’s wines are regularly honoured by leading wine critics, including multiple awards of the coveted «Tre Bicchieri» (3 glasses) from Gambero Rosso.
White wines from Tornatore
Red wines from Tornatore
from Tornatore
The vineyards are situated on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, where the altitude, cool nights and significant temperature variations create ideal conditions for viticulture. This combination lends the wines freshness, aromatic complexity and vibrancy. Volcanic soils composed of lava, ash and mineral-rich rock further shape the character of the wines. Deep-rooted vines produce grapes with high concentration and distinctive minerality. The result is wines of remarkable finesse and precision.
For Tornatore, sustainability is a commitment put into practice. Through resource-efficient cultivation methods, the preservation of biodiversity and the use of renewable energy, the winery operates in harmony with its unique environment. The VIVA and SOStain certifications confirm this commitment.
Today, Tornatore stands as a symbol of Etna’s renaissance: a family-run winery steeped in tradition that channels the power of the volcano and the unique characteristics of its terroir into wines with a distinctive character.
Producer
Domaine des Pères de l'Eglise
In 1933, the winegrowers and wine merchants of Châteauneuf-du-Pape were the first to impose quality rules relating to the cultivation and production of wines that would bear the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The geographic definition of the cultivation area, along with the other regulations, is still in force today, in order to guarantee the wine quality for connoisseurs. The Gradassi family of the Domaine des Pères de l’Église is following the tradition, but with the fresh impetus provided by the young fourth generation.
Peter Michael Winery
In the 1970s, Sir Peter Michael came to California as a young engineer and discovered the emerging wine world of California, with some excellent names already drawing international attention.
Weingut Schloss Gobelsburg
The first written evidence of Schloss Gobelsburg dates from 1074, but it was in 1171 that the Cistercian monks from the Zwettl monastery obtained the first vineyards at Heiligenstein and at Gaisberg in the Kamptal. Visitors entering the baroque-style complex built on a slight mound sense this tradition, this spirit, this experience accumulated over the centuries. The view takes in all the surroundings, from the village of Gobelsburg to the vine-covered hills of Heiligenstein. Inside, near the parish church where couples say yes for life, when the weather is pleasant, the pretty and romantic garden invites all to rest for a while.