Frank Cornelissen Susucaru Rosato 2023

Frank Cornelissen, renowned as one of the world's leading natural winemakers, produces exceptional wines in Sicily, near Mount Etna, primarily from the Nerello Mascalese Sicilian Native varietal. His estate and vineyards are in the northern valley of Etna, an area highly regarded for single-vineyard red wines akin to Burgundy's Côtes-de-Nuits or Piemonte's Barolo region. The estate spans about 24 hectares, with 13 hectares of old vines trained in the traditional alberello system, 9 hectares in modern rows, 2 hectares of olive groves, and the rest dedicated to fruit trees, vegetables, and bushes.

Committed to biodiversity, Cornelissen integrates local fruit varieties and maintains beehives to foster a complex ecosystem. New vineyards are planted using ungrafted selections from their original vines, following the alberello training system. Buckwheat is utilized to naturally enrich soils low in organic matter, which is crucial for preparing new vineyard plantations.

Cornelissen minimizes soil tilling, adapting to annual conditions and winter water levels. He aims to avoid all treatments in the vineyard, orchard, and surroundings, a goal achieved even in challenging years like 2004 and 2005. However, copper sulfate and sulfur treatments are occasionally necessary under challenging vintages, such as in 2013 and 2015, to prevent vine loss.

Sicily, Italy's largest island and its most extensive region, is a treasure trove of natural wine wonders. Nestled just across the Strait of Messina from the mainland, it boasts Palermo as its capital. This city is a melting pot of cultures, where Arab, Greek, Roman, and Spanish influences merge, not just in its mesmerizing architecture but also in its rich culinary heritage, including its thriving natural wine scene.

The island's history is as complex as it is captivating, mirrored in its diverse cultural tapestry. This complexity extends to its viticulture. Sicily ranked as Italy's third largest wine-producing region after Veneto and Tuscany, has seen a remarkable evolution in wine quality over the last three decades. While international grape varieties like Chardonnay and Syrah are making their mark, it's the indigenous varietals – Nero d’Avola, Catarratto, Grillo, and Inzolia – that truly define Sicilian natural winemaking. These native grapes, thriving in Sicily's unique terroir, give life to natural wines that are as vibrant and varied as the island itself.