Santa Maria La Nave is a multi award-winning family winery located on Mount Etna, with a very limited production.

The wine produced by Santa Maria La Nave is a product of an extreme viticulture in demanding and wild areas at high altitude. The vineyard is located in the heart of hundreds of years old lava flows in highly mineral soil, which produces a wine with an extraordinary mineral content and a refined scent of mountain and sea. The winery follows the ancient Etnean agricultural traditions, reflecting a commitment to extreme viticulture and producing extraordinary wines as a result.

The winery's history dates back to 1954 when Giuseppe Mulone moved to Catania and became captivated by the fertility of the volcanic soil on Mount Etna. In 1980, Mulone's son acquired a property on Mount Etna, where a small and ancient vineyard of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio was cultivated with love and passion. The winemaking process follows natural and artisan methods rooted in local traditions.

The winery is dedicated to preserving the viticultural heritage of Mount Etna through modern yet respectful vinification processes. Today, the vineyard is run by Sonia Spadaro Mulone and her husband Riccardo. They continue the excellent work of her grandfather by hand crafting some of Etna's most exciting wines. As proud heirs of Giuseppe Mulone they are committed to maintaining the fundamental principles learned from their ancestors, ensuring the continuation of Santa Maria La Nave's vision for generations to come.

Santa Maria La Nave

Millesulmare 2019

  • Milesulmare is a volcanic white wine made from the local vine variety Grecanico Dorato and grown at 1,100 meters above sea level. The altitude of Casa Decima vineyard is one of the highest in Europe, and the vineyard is located in the heart of hundreds of years old lava flows in highly mineral soil, which produces a wine with an extraordinary mineral content and a refined scent of mountain and sea. A wine with a deeply rooted identity, produced according to Etnean winemaking tradition and showing a deep attention to the grapes whose scents and taste are the symbol of the entire area, and leave those who drink it speechless.

  • Denomination: Sicilia DOC Bianco

    Variety: Grecanico Dorato 100%

    Altitude: 1,100 meters

    Climate: Typical mountain climate, warm and dry during the long summer days, and with temperatures close to 0 degrees C at night. The perfect microclimatic conditions and the absence of pollution prevent the onset of diseases and botris cinera

    Vineyard: Highly mineral soil

    Yield: Approx. 700-800 grams of grapes per vine

    Harvest: Hand picked

    Winemaking: The grapes are destemmed and not crushed before a soft pressing process that produces a 60% of first-pressing must and cold decanted (at 10 °C) for 36 hours, then it’s poured and separated from the lees. Only indigenous yeasts are added. The alcoholic fermentation takes place at a monitored temperature of 18-20°, allowing to preserve its aromatic content. A week later the end of the process, the wine is decanted and separated from the gross lees. After 10 days, the process of bâtonnage is performed once a week. The wine stabilizes at cold temperatures, also from a tartaric point of view. After a light clarification and filtering process, Millesulmare is bottled and aged for several months before it can be tasted by its connoisseurs.

    Alcohol: 12.5%

    Colour: Bright straw yellow, with strong golden reflections

    Nose: Elegant and balanced. Apple, white peach, citrus, vanilla, and white pepper with a pronounced mineral note

    Palate: Dry, with a pleasant acid structure, marked mineral hints and citrusy notes. Lovely persistent finish

  • The ideal serving temperature is 7-8 celsius. Some Sommeliers prefer a higher serving temperature (approximately 10 celsius) in order to better appreciate its olfactory complex and its mineral composition. Ageing capability: 8-10 years.

  • Very elegant when paired with fish, lobster, shrimp, white meat and vegetables. Excellent when paired with sushi, sashimi and oysters.

  • Limited edition with only 5,598 bottles. Every bottle is accurately numbered.

Calmarossa 2019

  • Calmarossa comes to life on Mount Ilice, a side crater on the south-eastern slope of Mount Etna, characterized by its fine black sand and volcanic ashes. The soil is rich in minerals, making it perfect for growing vines. During the last 50 years, this ancient pre-phylloxera vineyard has been grown with true love and devotion according to a biodynamic regime forged by centuries of ancient Etnean winemaking. Calmarossa is a strong and stubborn wine and elegant at the same time. Produced in small quantities, from dramatic surroundings, these are exquisite and food friendly wines.

  • Denomination: Etna DOC Red Wine

    Variety: Nerello Mascalese 85%, Nerello Cappuccio 15%

    Vineyard: Contrada Monte IIlice. Age of Vines up to 180 years old

    Altitude: 720-850 meters above sea level

    Soil: Black volcanic sands 1030 c.e.

    Climate: Dry and windy in summer. Significant rainfalls in winter and spring with strong temperature fluctuations from day to night over the course of the year. Countered by the deep root system of its ancient wines, which plunge into the volcanic sand in search of water and minerals

    Vineyard: About 2.5 hectares and about 8,000 plants per hectar

    Yield: Approx. 800 grams of grapes per vine

    Harvest: Hand picked

    Winemaking: Fermentation and maceration lasted for three weeks with pump-overs to obtain the desired level of extraction. After three weeks’ fermentation the lees were drawn off, the wine was racked and it underwent malolactic conversion at 18°C, imparting a softer mouthfeel. Ageing up to 9 months in French barriques, then at least 6 months after botteling

    Alcohol: 14%

    Colour: Ruby red

    Nose: Notes of cherry, raspberry, roses and cinnamon, with tracecs of cocoa and liquorice

    Palate: On the palate this wine expresses notes of juicy raspberry, cherry and fine notes of cassis associated with a hint of plum, blackberry as well as licorice, sweet spices (discreet) and minerality. Tannins are refined and firm

  • The ideal serving temperature is 16-18 celsius. Ageing capability: Up to 20 years if cellared correctly

  • Red meat. Aged cheese.

  • Limited edition with only 3,996 bottles. Every bottle is accurately numbered.

Get in touch for more information and prices

For any inquiries contact Atlas Wines at post@atlaswines.no or +47 909 57 293