2020s
After mildew-pressured 2023-24, a calmer season on the volcano; altitude and diurnal range gave fresh, tense Nerello. Promising. Ageing. Ageing · releases 2027
Spring Peronospora was severe nationally, but Etna's volcanic drainage and altitude offered some protection. A hot but not extreme summer followed. Expect fresh, mineral wines with good tension — Etna's terroir continues to assert itself even in difficult years. Releasing 2026
Challenging. Downy mildew (Peronospora) reduced crops significantly. Quality is good but quantities are tiny. Released 2025
Drought year, but vines adapted well. Wines are fresh and surprisingly succulent, not heavy. Released 2024
Superb. Cool spring, long ripening. Wines have tension, nerve, and great aging potential. Released 2023
Very good; warm but balanced. Wines are expressive, open, and delicious now. Released 2022
2010s
Perfect. Combining the power of '16 with the elegance of '14. A must-buy vintage. Released 2021
"Burgundian" year. Rainy/cool; strict selection needed. The best are ethereal and perfumed. Released 2020
Extreme heat/drought ("Lucifer"). Low yields; wines are concentrated but can be tannic/dry.
Exceptional. A "Goldilocks" vintage. Everything is in perfect harmony. Defining wines.
Good, but rain at harvest diluted some wines. Better for whites (Carricante) than reds.
Unicorn Vintage. While the rest of Italy suffered a wet year, Etna was perfect. Deep, profound, and magical.
A cool, classic vintage. Finesse-driven wines with high acidity and fine tannins.
Hot/Dry summer but saved by autumn rains. Wines are concentrated and surprisingly fresh.
Very warm. Wines are rich and fruit-forward but can lack the tension of top years.
Legendary. Perfect balance of fruit, acid, and tannin. Deep, complex, and age-worthy.
2000s
Good but irregular; rains in late autumn affected the late-ripening Nerello Mascalese.
Classic. Cool, long growing season. Wines are austere, elegant, and very Burgundian.
Warm and dry; wines are ripe, fleshy, and generous.
Superb. Powerful, tannic, and long-lived. A benchmark for structure.
Rain during harvest created challenges. Wines are lighter, for early drinking.
Very good; a return to balance and elegance after the heat of '03.
Heatwave year. Wines were often cooked, raisined, and high in alcohol.
Disastrous. Excessive rain. A "washout" vintage; very few decent wines made.
Classic. Excellent structure and longevity. The vintage that put Etna on the map for many critics.
Warm year; wines were ripe and approachable but simple.
1990s
Historic. The first great vintage of the modern era (Benanti's debut).
