Old Vines, New Wine Revolution
The story of Andrea Franchetti is now legend. After establishing his reputation with the acclaimed Tenuta di Trinoro in Tuscany, he turned his eye to Mt. Etna in 2000—long before the region’s renaissance began. Franchetti arrived on the northern slopes of the volcano and painstakingly restored old, abandoned terraces, many of them planted with 70- to 100-year-old bush-trained vines. His work helped spark a modern revolution on Etna, drawing attention to its profound potential and launching a new era of Sicilian wine.
Crafted from these ancient bush-trained Nerello Mascalese vines, Passorosso is a holistic expression of Etna’s unique volcanic terroir. Sourced from multiple high-altitude crus—Malpasso, Guardiola, Santo Spirito, Favazza, and Arcuria—these wines deliver a vibrant, mineral-driven complexity that captures both the power and elegance of the mountain.
The 2021 and 2022 vintages reflect subtle differences in season and soil. The 2022 leans into purity and red fruit brightness with energetic acidity, while the 2021 offers deeper, savory notes with a slightly richer texture. Both are unfiltered, aged in large neutral oak, and bottled without compromise.
As Antonio Galloni notes, “This is first-class Etna Rosso… not a second wine, but a blend of old vines from all of Passopisciaro's crus.” These wines are a vision of the estate itself, offering unmatched value and authenticity. Mt. Etna has become one of Italy’s most exciting wine frontiers—ancient terraces, extreme elevation (550–1,000 meters), and dynamic volcanic soils all contribute to wines of thrilling tension and clarity. Franchetti saw this 25 years ago, and his legacy lives on in every bottle.
For wine lovers looking to explore volcanic terroir, expressive reds, and authentic Italian craftsmanship, Passorosso is an essential addition to the cellar. These wines offer precision, energy, and character—with each bottle capturing the story of a mountain and a visionary.
Decanter, 93 Points: Passorosso is made from estate fruit as well as some bought in from local growers – many of whom work at the estate and share the same philosophies. With 18 months in Slavonian and French botti, as well as 30% in cement tanks, this 2022 is a really fragrant explosion of violet, lavender, wild herbs and black cherry. Intense, ripe and fleshy red and black fruit flavours are accompanied by Parma violet lift, then a balanced finish of both richness and freshness.
Vinous, 92 points
The 2022 Passorosso is spicy in the glass with an herbal thrust up front, giving way to ginger-tinged dried cherries and dusty sage. This is silky-smooth with ripe red and hints of blue fruit. Brisk acidity motivates the mouthfeel as the 2022 takes on a salty savoriness toward the close. It finishes with outstanding length and concentration, leaving a coating of fine tannins and a resonance of licorice on the close. This is far from your average Etna Rosso, with nearly 50% of the fruit hailing from Contrada Guardiola.
94 points James Suckling
Made with Nerello Mascalese taken from all the vineyards. The aromas show plenty of strawberries and cherries with wrought iron and pumice. Medium-bodied with creamy and polished tannins with hints of cedar and light nutmeg. Savory and lightly tannic giving it tension and beauty. Drink or hold.
