History
This small estate on the northern slope of Mount Etna was recently established by Marco de Grazia, owner of the nearby Tenuta delle Terre Nere. “Establishing Le Vigne di Eli - Marco says - was effortless. A simple act of love towards my little daughter Elena (Eli). It happened in 2006. I was offered first one, then another, tiny vineyard, both in exceptional crus: Feudo di Mezzo and Moganazzi-Voltasciara. I bought them, and since the parcels were so small and fine, I was somehow reminded of Elena. Thus, Le Vigne di Eli was born. To use Elena’s drawings as labels came naturally because I love her art work. And equally naturally came the impulse to have this “child’s estate” be a help to children in need. Thus a substantial part of the small proceeds go to a childrens’ hospital, the Ospedale Pediatrico Meyer in Florence. With this, the “children’s project came full circle.
Today, seeing the growing appreciation for Eli’s very fine wines, I’ve selected more tiny parcels of outstanding quality, contracting them, and releasing a bit more very fine wine. This includes a lovely Etna Bianco from a vineyard in Milo. And in the future I know I’ll surely be tempted by other precious little parcels. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Year of establishment: 2006
Average annual production: 20,000 (bottles)
Total vineyard extension (hectares): 5
Planted varietals and extension (hectares): Carricante - 1 ha
Nerello Cappuccio - 0.5 ha
Nerello Mascalese - 3 ha
Vine training system:
en goblet
Cultivation method in the vineyard: The soil in the vineyards is tilled
Type of viticulture: practicing organic
Harvest period: First ten days of October
Agronomist: Calogero Statella
Oenologist: Calogero Statella