Vini Biondi

Another small production Etna producer, Ciro & Stephanie Biondi make some extraordinary (and a bit pricey) reds on 8 acres of vineyards along the southeast flanks of Etna.  His land is a patchwork distributed across different terroir but physically near each other, and all at around 2,000 feet above the distant sea.

Ciro produces very distinctive wines named after the land parcels: Chianta (tiny white production of 1000 bottles), San Nicolò (lovely reds but only 1300 bottles), and Cisterna Fuori (another red of 2000 bottles). He also produces his Outis white and red from across the parcels, easy drinking and delicious renditions of Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco in a classic regional style.

Ciro has been attracting a lot of attention with his wines, carrying forward what the family started in 1800 into a modern age of winemaking. Try his carricante-based white ‘Outis’ for a walk on the wild side, and give his Etna Rosso San Nicolò a taste while you're there. Right now their importer only brings Outis white & red into the US, so I recommend buying some San Nicolò and Chianta to bring back with you.

Ciro & Stef are happy to meet up if you give them a call or email in advance; they're usually busy in the fields, the cantina, or traveling to meet other winemakers & wine lovers -- so a reservation is a must.  There's a tasting fee of €25 per person. Just email them or text/call. Both are quite active on Facebook and Twitter, follow them if you'd like an update on what new in the Cantina.