Idyllic Location 

Terra Costantino is beautifully situated in Contrada Blandano on the southeastern flank of Etna. The mythical peak of the volcano appears to watch over the vineyards, and the estate offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea to the east. On the property stands the old winery, featuring a phenomenal old press and lagar from 1699. Every year, in tribute to tradition and terroir, the Rasola is pressed here—a “vino ancestrale” where red and white grapes from a single terrace are harvested and pressed together. Today, the Costantino family also has a modern wine cellar, carved into the mountain wall. Its rear sits 10 meters underground. At the back of the cellar, a cross-section of the mountain's geological layers has been preserved and displayed artistically, highlighting Etna’s complex soil structure. The cellar blends seamlessly into its surroundings and remains naturally cool. Above ground, vineyard terraces stretch across the slopes of the volcano. The vineyards lie at 500 meters above sea level, where sea breezes have free rein, cooling the ancient lava soils. The roots must push through layers of sand to find water in the cracks of the volcanic rock.

Pure Wines 

In 1970, Dino Costantino, from a family with a long agricultural history, settled here with his family. The vineyards were restored and largely replanted. They have never been exposed to pesticides or artificial fertilizers. As early as 2000, Terra Costantino became the first organically certified winery on Etna. Not long after, Dino’s son Fabio joined the winery, and the family began focusing on bottling their own wines—deeply rooted in tradition but supported by a modern winery. These are wines that stand out for their quality and distinctiveness. Only native grape varieties are used, with spontaneous fermentation, minimal intervention, and a deep respect for the impressive geological complexity of Etna.

Contrada 

Etna is a living mountain with a complex variety of soils. Even within a single row of vines, the soil can differ by thousands of years in age. Each eruption has laid down a new layer of volcanic rock, each with a unique age, composition, and character. This mosaic of soil layers forms the foundation of the contrada system, unique to Etna. In this system, soils created by different lava flows are distinguished. Each contrada is characterized by its own soil composition and micro-biodiversity and is regarded as a unique Cru with its own distinctive character. 

Contrada Praino 

Since 2020, a new vineyard has been added to the estate: Contrada Praino near Milo. This terraced vineyard measures 2 hectares and is located on the eastern flank of Etna, northeast of Contrada Blandano. It lies even higher (650 to 700 meters above sea level) and, due to its eastern exposure, is even more strongly influenced by the cooling effects of the salty sea breeze. It is particularly well-suited for Carricante, resulting in a refreshingly pure wine full of tension and saline minerality: Contrada Praino bianco. New to our selection this year—and highly recommended!