Cantine Iuppa

Suspended between the volcano in the sea, Milo is a beautiful little village of just under 1000 people on the eastern slope of Etna. It is 750 meters above sea level and is one of the rainiest areas of the entire Etnean district with nearly 700 millimeters of rain each year. Cantine Iuppa is just below the Valle del Bove, a vast valley of about 7 kilometres in the east West direction that shelters the town from Etna's continuous eruptions. The winery has what most would consider brilliant terroir for wine culture. The soils in Milos consist of volcanic ash and organic material and are the heart of their vineyards. This condition is combined with its proximity to the sea, and the influence of these sea breezes which create brilliant growing conditions. Temperature changes between the day and night can vary as much as 20%. The result of all these factors allows Iuppa to obtain healthy ripe grapes with a marked territorial imprint.

The 6 hectares of vineyards are terraced with traditional dried lava stone walls that start at an altitude of 530 meters and go up to over 700 meters. The organically farmed vineyards are planted with native grapes of Carricante, Cattaratto, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio using the traditional method of “Alberello Etneo” as well as spurred cordon. Even more impressive is their centuries -old vineyard comprised of bush vines which are so ancient that they have yet to substantially identified!

Cantine Iuppa has been working organically since their inception. All vineyards are tilled by hand numerous times throughout the year as well as adopting the practice of green manure to enrich the soil with nitrogen. There loads of biodiversity with the planting of native grasses and legumes which further enhance the soild. Further, Iuppa adhere to strict pruning, avoid the use of chemicals and practice meticulous grape selection both on the vine and in the winery.