FRA_GG_N45-WEB

ITALY
– ORGANIC WINES –
Valeria Agosta Costanzo is the heart and soul of Palmento Costanzo
SICILY
PALMENTO COSTANZO
Palmento Costanzo is located in Contrada Santo Spirito, in the
hamlet of Passopisciaro, on the northern side of Mount Etna.
Here, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante and
Catarratto have always been grown organically. More than a
hundred terraces, with dry lava stone walls, guard a vineyard
grown using the alberello system, which climbs the slopes
of the volcano from 600 to 800 metres above sea level. With
this system, all the vines, even those over a century old, are
supported by chestnut-wood poles. Both the construction of
the new winery and the restoration of the original structure
adhered to the principles of bio-architecture.
The use of natural light, thick lava stone walls which provide
optimal thermal insulation, and a thermal labyrinth system
running through the cellar under the floor, all combine to
minimise the energy footprint. In fact, the company’s aim is
to showcase the natural richness of the area with minimal
environmental impact.
The winery produces 100,000,000 bottles a year, 50% of them
exported (USA, Japan, Sweden, Germany, Canada, France,
Australia, etc.), thanks in part to its organic certification, which
is increasingly in demand.
96 AUTUMN 2021 GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE