Girolamo Russo

Mt Etna, Sicily

A bold Italian wine is always an exciting find, so we want to take a moment to introduce you to one of our favourite producers – and grape varietals.

Girolamo Russo is a former pianist, who has been described as quiet and thoughtful. Rosso founded his estate in the memory of his late father in Passopisciaro in 2005. This village is situated on the north-face of Europe’s most active volcano, Mount Etna in Sicily. Rosso’s vineyards are planted high on lava flows, which make for distinct minerality and topsoil composition.

The region has given birth to an explosive (pun intended), bold grape varietal called Nerello Mascalese. Fans of Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo are sure to love it.
One of our favourite things about Nerello Mascalese is its versatility. It can produce reds with impressive delicacy as well as those with great structure. It is a complex grape, grown in a complex terroir.

Russo knows this, and has been organically farming his family’s old vineyards, which has vines around 100 years of age, and is restoring the old cellar under his house. We’re honoured to stock some of his creations, which make for great food wines.