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On a walk across the volcanic slopes of Lipari in 2005, Massimo Lentsch and Stefania Frattolillo discovered their calling. Tenuta di Castellaro grew out of that moment – today the family from Bergamo cultivates rare grape varieties such as Malvasia delle Lipari and Corinto Nero at an altitude of 350 metres. Rooted in pumice, obsidian and kaolin, the vines yield wines of mineral clarity. The 24 hectares combine heroic viticulture with traditional albarello training and organic farming.
Region: Sicily
In all wines: 12 Wines
More about Tenuta di Castellaro
Volcanic alchemy between sky and sea
On the Piana di Castellaro the conditions make viticulture a hero's quest. At 350 metres, three volcanic rocks shape the terroir: pumice lends elegance, obsidian mineral sharpness and kaolin creamy fullness. Massimo Lentsch named his wines after these geological treasures – Pomice, Ossidiana and Caolino tell the story of their origin. The Lentsch family cultivates Malvasia delle Lipari and other indigenous varieties here, perfectly adapted to the extreme climate between sea breezes and volcanic heat.
A cellar master with Etna in his blood and modern gravity flow
Since 2016 oenologist Emiliano Falsini has orchestrated the vinification – a world traveller who honed his craft at Robert Mondavi and Villa Maria. At his side works cellar master Sebastiano, who brought his volcanic knowledge to Lipari after 20 years on Etna. The bioclimatic cellar works exclusively by gravity and respects the fragile grapes from their arrival to bottling.
Heroic handwork and rare vine treasures
Every vine is trained in the traditional albarello system – free-standing without a wire trellis, a legacy of Greek antiquity. This “heroic viticulture” demands pure manual labour on terraces that can only be reached on foot. Carricante and Nero d'Avola thrive alongside the regal Malvasia delle Lipari, while the rare Corinto Nero – a nearly extinct variety – is enjoying its renaissance here. The 24 hectares of organically farmed vineyards deliberately produce only 70,000 bottles a year.
Wine treasures between minerality and meditation
The portfolio spans the range from crystalline freshness to sweet fulfilment. The Bianco Pomice embodies the mineral clarity of pumice, while the Ypsilon gathers the complexity of the terroir in a cuvée. The crowning glory is the Malvasia delle Lipari DOC Passito – a sweet wine of meditative depth, shaped by volcanic fire and the sound of the sea.