Casa rural Agriturismo Tenuta San Michele (Santa Venerina, Italy)

The San Michele estate, at 500 m a.s.l, looks out over the Ionian sea from its privileged position on the eastern slope of the volcano Etna The micro-climate of Etna is characterised by a wide temperature range that allows the grapes to mature slowly and gradually. The soil of the San Michele estate is of volcanic origin that gives the wines a sapid yet mineral flavour. Under these conditions the wine is characterised by a particular finesse, aromatic complexity and great personality. The vineyards of the San Michele estate extend for more than 25 hectares. The vines are trained using the espalier system, with guyot and spur cordon pruning, the vine density varies from 4500 to 5500 vines/hectare. In the vineyards the principle autochthonous varieties of grapes of Etna are grown: the black grapes of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Mantellato, the green grapes of Caricante and Catarrato. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon have also been planted and are growing well on Etna.