Cottanera, perched on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Castiglione di Sicilia, is a standout Sicilian winery with around 65 ha of vineyards planted from a 100 ha estate. Founded in the 1960s by Francesco Cambria, Cottanera originally combined vines and hazelnut groves before focusing solely on winemaking. In the 1990s his son Guglielmo and brother Enzo planted international varieties, later pivoting to native grapes like Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Carricante.
Cottanera: Volcanic Terroir and Tradition on Mount Etna
Located at roughly 700 m above sea level on solid lava-stone soils near the Alcantara River, the vineyards reflect Etna’s mineral-rich terroir. Today the estate honors its volcanic heritage by clearly labeling wines by contrada — including Zottorinoto, Feudo di Mezzo, Calderara, Diciassette Salme, and Cottanera—emphasizing plot expression. The flagship Zottorinoto bottling, from a 60-year-old vineyard at high altitude, is highly limited to around 2,000 bottles in top vintages.
Cottanera now focuses on Etna DOC whites and reds, producing regional stars like Barbazzale Bianco (Catarratto blend), vibrant Etna Rosso from Nerello Mascalese/Cappuccio, and site-specific Contrada wines like Feudo di Mezzo, Calderara, and Diciassette Salme. AMetodo Classico sparkling made from Nerello Mascalese is also part of their range.
Viticulture is sustainable—no herbicides are used, and most work is hand-labor by female teams, reflecting the family's philosophy that “land is invaluable”. This respect extends to winemaking approaches that preserve purity and site character, often using a blend of stainless steel, concrete, and oak fermentation depending on the wine.
Visitors can enjoy guided tastings and gourmet experiences on-site, sampling wines alongside wood-fired bread, olive oil, cheeses, and local cuisine—all in stunning volcanic surroundings. The winery also hosts light meals and aperitifs to immerse guests in the terroir story.
Cottanera successfully blends tradition and innovation, creating terroir-driven wines that reflect Etna's volcanic spirit. With an exciting lineup of whites, reds, rosé, and sparkling wines labeled by vineyard, the estate is a rising star in Etna and Sicily more broadly—one that honors land, heritage, and modern viticulture.
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Name: Cottanera
Address: Strada Provinciale 89
Postal code, City: 95030 Contrada Iannazzo Castiglione di Sicilia (CT)
Country: Italy
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: https://cottanera.it