Casale 120 winery
We are a winery dating from the 18th century, with historical vineyards and a typical Etnean noble's casale nestled on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, in the historic Contrada Picciolo, a volcanic amphitheater embraced by ancient lava flows from 1911 and 1923. In the hamlet of Rovittello, part of Castiglione di Sicilia.
Our estate boasts vines up to 140 years old, all supported by traditional alberello training and bordered by dry-stone lava walls, a testament to Etna’s deep-rooted winemaking heritage. Each vine is cultivated with respect for centuries-old traditions, using exclusively environmentally conscious methods that prioritize quality over quantity. Casale 120 focuses on preserving biodiversity, with a section of the vineyard dedicated to nearly extinct native Etna varieties.
Meanwhile, nestled between the even more recent 1971 lava flows, on the southern flank of the volcano in Milo at 900 meters, we winery cultivate the Carricante grape for our Etna Bianco Superiore.
Winemaking on Mt. Etna
At Casale 120, our story began in 2019 when we restored a long-abandoned winery to begin production. We currently craft five wines within the Etna D.O.C., sourced from our vineyards in Contrada Fornazzo and Contrada Picciolo. Our production is focused on the region's traditional varieties: three wines made from Nerello Mascalese and two from Carricante.
We farm in the shadow of a giant. Beyond the idyllic rows of vines, the plume of Etna reminds us that we are guests of an active volcano. Its history is written in the soil; every eruption has left behind a different 'lava signature,' creating a patchwork of contrade. These small, historic terroirs follow ancient property lines preserved for centuries, giving our wine a sense of place that is both legally documented and deeply felt
Casale 120 respects and plays to the strengths of these specific sites. The high elevation leads to significant temperature shifts between day and night, allowing and necessitating a longer growing season. This slow maturation, combined with the profound mineral depth of the volcanic soil, allows us to produce wines of remarkable complexity and individual personality.
Visits & wine experiences
We are dedicated to the preservation of our heritage vineyards and to the craft of exceptional Etna DOC winemaking. We welcome you to stay with us, enjoy a glass of wine, and discover the stories behind the unique viticulture of Etna.
Check out our offerings such as picnic in the vineyard at your own pace, guided vineyard tours & wine tastings with or without additional local products, premium tastings of our Etna Rosso's.
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Upcoming events:
21 June 2026 - La Porta dell’Estate in Vigneto: the longest day on Mt. Etna
Our story, our ambition
Margriet, a Dutch grape grower, and Maurizio, a Sicilian agronomist and illustrious figure in the wine world, both drawn to the mountains and the sea, and both fascinated by Mount Etna. In 2019, sparks flew. They discovered a beautiful, over 150 year old abandoned vineyard on the northeastern slope of Mount Etna, along with an abandoned, typical Etna nobleman's manor house and wine cellars.
The vineyard has an ideal environment for the vine to develop: the altitude (650-700 meters), and of course the fertile and characteristic pure black and sandy lava soil rich in microelements brought by volcanic eruptions. The main grape variety is the indigenous Etna red grape Nerello Mascalese, and some ancient white grape Carricante plants.
Our ambition is to continue to cultivate these vines in the form of the ‘alberello’ method and with local traditional techniques: all manual and organic. This way of cultivating risks to disappear as it is less productive and more labor intensive. However, the grape produced is of exquisite quality and the wines are the delicious result of one of the oldest winemaking traditions in the world, part of a tremendous Sicilian heritage.
Our second ambition is to be a welcoming hub for anyone interested. We welcome you to stay with us, enjoy a glass of quality wine, and discover the stories behind the unique viticulture of Etna.
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Casale 120 winery
Via Nazionale 9, Rovittello
Castiglione di Sicilia, Italy
+39 3913324958
Coordinate GPS
N37.8566, E15.1001