The beginning of the cultivation of the vine, with the production of wine, by the Tornatore family dates back to 1865 when the great-grandfather of the current owner undertook the agricultural activity. In 1910 Giuseppe, grandfather of the current owner, built a house with an adjoining building in the Piano Fiera district with adjacent 2 ha of vineyard to which are added another 2ha on the northern side of Etna in the Piano Felci district at an altitude of 1,000 meters above the level.
The Tornatore family has always had a detailed knowledge of the territories of the municipality of Castiglione di Sicilia since grandfather Giuseppe and uncle Giovanni were appointed at the beginning of the 1930s cadastral indicators, accompanying the topographer to detect particles, to define boundaries and names of the districts. The construction of an oil mill attached to the cement, which was active in the various technological evolutions, up to the 70s, also dates back to that period.
A family therefore with deep roots in the territory of origin, which in subsequent generations, has never left out the attachment and respect of the same and traditions.
The agricultural activity of the Company is based on the ownership of 110 hectares of which 60 hectares of vineyards. As a consequence,
Tornatore's vineyards are one of the largest the Etna DOC production area.
Tornatore's vineyards count several locations in different districts: among them the remarkable contrade of Bragaseggi, Piano dei Daini, Zottorinotto, Pietrarizzo, Malpasso, Pietramarina, Torre Guarino, Carranco and Trimarchisa, all in the Castiglione di Sicilia Municipality.
The altitude ranges from 550 to 700 meters above sea level and the age of the vineyards varies from 3 to 40 years for the Reds and 3 to 10 years for the Whites. The Company's vineyards have been recently reorganized in order to improve the quality standards and maintain the bond both with the territory and the winemaking traditions (high plant density, rigidly native variety).
Particular attention has been paid to the processing of our vineyards. A high number of vines per hectare (approx. 6,000) has been maintained and an upwards-trained vertical-trellised system has been selected with 3/4 cordon spurs and a distance of mt 2.20×0.80. There are about 4 hectares of gobelets with a distance of mt 1.10×1.10.
The existing vines are Etna's native in compliance with the rules of Etna DOC wines production. in particular:
In particular:
• Red Berry Nerello Mascalese and Nero Cappuccio
• White Berry Carricante and Catarratto
