Girolamo Russo is an Etna estate run by Giuseppe (Beppe) Russo, who returned home to his family vineyards on the northern slope of Mount Etna in Sicily after the death of his father Girolamo in 2005. A former classical pianist, Beppe now farms around 18 hectares of organically tended vines between 650 and 780 metres elevation, around the town of Passopisciaro. The vineyards are planted on ancient lava flows known as 'sciare', many to ungrafted, head-trained vines well over a century old, and surrounded by hazelnut and olive groves.
Nerina is the estate's multi-contrada Etna Bianco, sourced from younger vines across San Lorenzo, Feudo and Calderara Sottana, made from Carricante alongside smaller portions of native white varieties such as Catarratto, Inzolia, Grecanico, Minnella and Coda di Volpe. The wine is bright and lean, with notes of pear, white flowers, citrus and a saline, volcanic minerality that speaks of the surrounding sea winds.
Farming is organic, with traditional manual practices in the vineyard. Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in the restored cellar beneath the Russo home, with ageing in a mix of stainless steel, concrete and large used oak.
Vintages may vary. Email us at hello@barrelandbatch.com.au if you would like confirmation.