THE WINES
Ballasanti production is focused on four monovarietal and two CRU wines, Nerello Mascalese for the reds and rosés, and Carricante for the whites. Ballasanti benefits from its collaboration with the Piedmontese winemaker, Luca Caramellino, who has embraced the poetry of Ballasanti’s vision. On the slopes of Etna, he has found the ideal terrain to utilize his undisputed experience and vision.
There are three vineyards in production: Tenace, Sublime and Temerario.
They are located on the eastern and north-eastern slopes, and their soil composition and position have a significant impact on the wine produced.
The wealth of minerals such as iron, magnesium and potassium contributes to the unique complexity and structure of the wine. The geographical location and the day- and night-time temperatures, helped by the vineyards’ altitude, assist in developing intense aromas and maintaining good acidity, giving the wines their crispness, minerality and complexity.
The eastern slope, characterized by greater rainfall and exposure to the Ionian Sea breezes, produces wine with greater vibrancy and acidity. Its volcanic soil mixes with sand and clay, rich in iron oxide, to give the wine elegance, silkiness and a delicate structure compared to the renowned northern wines.
By contrast, the basaltic soil of the northern slopes produces wines with a more robust structure and more pronounced tannins. Our Etna Rosso, from the vineyard located on the north-eastern slopes, precisely combines these characteristics: a robust structure, together with the elegance and complexity typical of wine from the eastern slopes.
The Tenace Vineyard
Contrada Chiusitti, consisting of 3 hectares of vineyards on a 6 hectare property in the Etna DOC region, lies at 850 m above sea level. The vineyard is located immediately to the east of the SP59III, the road leading to Linguaglossa, along the wine route. The east-facing, spurred cordon espalier vineyard is planted with Carricante, which produce two white wines: the Donna Manuela Etna Riserva, to be launched in 2026, and the Etna Bianco DOC.
The volcanic soil, rich as it is in potassium and iron, together with its important diurnal temperature range, have a positive effect on the ripening of the grapes. The high altitudes (between 800-850 m above sea level) enable complete and uniform ripening, contributing to the development of complex aromas and high acidity. Temperature fluctuations between day and night stimulate the fusion of aromatic compounds and preserve the acidity of the grapes, resulting in crisp, well-balanced wines. In addition, the climatic conditions enable the concentration of sugars and polyphenols, improving the wines’ structure and longevity.
Donna Manuela
coming out in 2026
The Sublime Vineyard
consists of 7 hectares, 2 of which are in production, 600 m above sea level in Piedimonte Etneo. It lies in the Etna DOC area and has cultivated the Nerello Mascalese grape in three-branch sapling vines for over 50 years. The traditional sapling cultivation makes this vineyard a truly rare gem. The traditional sapling cultivation makes this vineyard a truly rare gem. These plants have been rooted in the black and red earth of the volcano for decades and their generative power is given full expression in Nerello, producing three wines, the Etna Rosato 2024 to be launched in 2025, the Etna Rosso DOC and the Donna Mara Etna Riserva to be launched in 2026.
Donna Mara
coming out in 2026
The Temerario Vineyard
is in the Ricceri Ciapparo neighbourhood of San Giovanni Montebello and is the historic vineyard where everything started and where the company’s headquarters are based. It consists of 2.5 hectares lying 450 m above sea level. This vineyard is tended by Don Angelo, Manuela’s grandfather. In 2013 Manuela opted to update it and together with Fabio, they chose to replant the three-branch sapling vineyard to restore it to its former beauty and to make the most of the richness of the volcanic soil, even if it lies outside the Etna DOC region.
This young Nerello Mascalese vineyard produces the Sicilia DOC Nerello Mascalese, a bold and intrepid wine, dedicated to the last of their children, Lorenzo. The finesse and elegance of Nerello Mascalese are sought after, in particular for their tannins. The unique characteristics of the terroir, with its salinity and earthy notes, provide silkiness and elegance.
Interview with Manuela Seminara
