The name of this estate, Eredi di Maio, translates as “the heirs of Maio”. The story begins with Andrea and Luca Patane’s great-grandfather, Santo di Maio, who, upon returning from Argentina, continued cultivating their family vineyards. They have been making wine since 1867.
Santo expanded both production and acreage of both Carricante and Nerello Mascalese, which survived the phylloxera plague of the late 19th century. The same vineyards are still under their management today.
This precious heritage was passed down to them by their grandfather Alfio, Santo's son, who passionately contributed to keeping the vineyards in excellent health.
In 2018, Andrea and Luca decided to honor the work of their family, believing in the potential of their very special Etna terroir, and their centuries-old vineyards, by starting to vinify their own grapes.
Essential interventions, and respect for nature and the land are the foundation of their vineyard management. They believe that the right recipe for producing great wines is great terroir. They work with Frederic Curtaz as their consultant.
The vines range in age from 10 to 120 years and are trained as bush vines on terraces supported by dry-stone lava stone walls.
The Vineyards
Vinga “O’Rinazzu”, Contrada Rinazzo, Milo
This east-facing, 0.5-hectare vineyard was planted in 1867 and is made up of 80% Carricante and 20% Nerello Mascalese at 790 meters above sea level. The soil is mineral rich volcanic sand.
Vinga “Sciaredda”, Contrada Caselle, Milo
This east-facing, 0.8-hectare vineyard was planted in 1920 and is made up of 100% Carricante at 830 meters above sea level. The soil is mineral rich volcanic sand.
Vinga “Prainu”, Contrada Praino, Milo
This east-facing, 0.4-hectare vineyard was planted in 2015 and is made up of 100% Carricante at 580 meters above sea level. The soil is mineral rich volcanic sand.
Vinga “Uppara”, Contrada Volpare, Milo
This east-facing, 0.2-hectare vineyard was planted in 1940 and is made up of 65% Carricante and 35% Nerello Mascalese at 680 meters above sea level. The soil is mineral rich volcanic sand.
Vinga “Casedda”, Contrada Caselle, Milo
This east-facing, 0.3-hectare vineyard was planted in 1920 and is made up of 90% Carricante and 10% Nerello Mascalese at 900 meters above sea level. The soil is mineral rich volcanic sand.
Vinga “Parmintazzu”, Contrada Caselle, Milo
This east-facing, 0.6-hectare vineyard was planted in 2017 and is made up of 100% Carricante at 860 meters above sea level. The soil is mineral rich volcanic sand.
The Wines
Etna Bianco Superior “Affiu”
The grapes for the Etna Bianco Superiore were sold to the Benanti family to make Pietramarina and Bianco di Caselle until 2012. After that, they became the suppliers for Tenuta di Fessina, and since 2015 they supply Federico Curtaz’s Kudos and Gamma.
The first vintage of their own bottling of Etna Bianco Superior “Affiu” (which means Alfio in Sicilan, name after their grandfather) was in 2018. It is 100% Carricante from two hectares of vineyards ranging between 550 and 850 meters above sea level. The youngest vines are 10 years old, and the oldest are 120 years old (which are pre-phylloxera and bush trained) from the Contrade located in Caselle, Praino and Volpare. Vinification and maturation are both done in stainless steel. The produce about 230 cases/per year.
Etna Rosso “Utri”
The word “Utri” refers to an old Sicilian goat-skin container that used to be used to carry one’s wine. In other countries they are referred to as bota bags or wineskins. This vineyard is one that they rent and farm in Biancavilla, on the southwestern slope of Etna. The grapes are grown in the Contrade of Spadatrappo and Stella, and the wine is made from 100% Nerello Mascalese. The average age of the vines is 40 years, and the vineyard is located at 850m above sea level. Fermentation and maturation occur in used oak barrels of various sizes. They produce less than 100 cases of this wine per year.