Tenuta di Castellaro

The wines are every bit as spectacular as the vineyards here, a (volcanic) stone’s throw from the sea. Tenuta di Castellaro is a family-owned, organic-certified estate on the Aeolian island of Lipari, north of Sicily. Led by superstar consultant Salvo Foti, the focus is on indigenous varietals including Corinto Nero, Carricante, and Nero d’Avola, as well as Malvasia di Lipari – arguably the star of the show. All are grown on free-standing bush vines (alberello etneo) whose roots penetrate deep into the mineral-rich soil. Impressively, the winery is carbon neutral, with solar chimneys and cellars cooled naturally using a wind tower that channels the prevailing breeze. Vinified with ambient yeast and raised, primarily, in neutral oak, there is tremendous character and freshness across the range: the whites are saline, the reds sapid and Castellaro’s lusciously sweet Malvasia delle Lipari is not to be missed.