CASALE 120 WINERY
HISTORICAL VINEYARDS | ETNA D.O.C. | ORGANIC | HOSPITALITY
Casale 120 winery
We are a boutique Etna D.O.C. winery with its history dating back to 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 vineyards dedicated to nearly extinct native Etna varieties.
Our Etna Rosso D.O.C. wines are produced from the grapes grown here on the north flanks of the volcano. Meanwhile, nestled between the even more recent 1971 lava flows, on the southern flank of the volcano in Milo at 900 meters, we cultivate the Carricante grape for our Etna Bianco and Etna Bianco Superiore.
A unique place,
a unique wine
Winemaking on Mt. Etna
At Casale 120, our story began in 2019 when we restored a long-abandoned estate, once the historic holding of a noble family from Catania. Today, we craft five wines within the Etna D.O.C., sourced from our vineyards in Contrada Fornazzo and Contrada Picciolo. Our production is dedicated to the region's heritage varieties: three wines crafted from Nerello Mascalese and two from Carricante.
We farm in the shadow of a giant, where the landscape is shaped by the restless energy of Mount Etna. Our vineyards are defined by the unique geology of Mount Etna. With the eruptions at different times throughout history, each area features historic, small-scale districts that follow ancient property lines with distinct soil, what we call the Contrade system. These diverse micro-terroirs allow us to capture a clear sense of place in the wines that we produce.
Casale 120 respects and plays to the strengths of these specific sites. The high elevation of our vineyards leads to significant temperature shifts between day and night, allowing and necessitating a longer growing season. This slow maturation, combined with the contrade micro-terroir components and profound mineral depth of the volcanic soil, allows us to produce wines of remarkable complexity and individual personality, yet typical Etna.
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, and more.
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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
Born from a shared fascination for mountains, sea and Mount Etna, the partnership between Maurizio, a Sicilian agronomist, and Margriet, a Dutch grape-grower and adventurer, found its heart on the slopes of Mount Etna. In 2019, after an extensive search across Sicily, they discovered a hidden treasure: a near-abandoned vineyard on the volcano’s northeastern slope. Sitting between 650 and 700 meters above sea level, the estate featured up to 150-year-old vines alongside a weathered nobleman’s manor and historic wine cellars.
While their first harvest arrived in 2020 thanks to the old vines, the couple spent years painstakingly restoring the ancient site. They have since expanded to a plot in Milo at 870 meters—the ideal terroir for the Carricante grape.
The estate’s philosophy is defined by its environment. Here, high altitudes meet fertile, obsidian-black volcanic sands rich in microelements. While focusing on the indigenous Nerello Mascalese and ancient Carricante, the couple is dedicated to the traditional alberello (bush-training) method. Though labor-intensive and increasingly rare, this organic, manual approach honors a tremendous Sicilian heritage, producing wines of exquisite quality and depth.
Beyond the vine, their ambition is to foster a welcoming hub for enthusiasts. Guests are invited to stay on the estate, share a glass of wine, and immerse themselves in the unique viticultural stories 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