On the northern slope of Mount Etna sits a vineyard owned and run by brothers Valerio and Renzo. They are some of the newest vignerons in the area, but the story of the vines on their little plot of land begins decades ago from the passion of their grandparents Vincenzo and Nunziata.

In 1958, after many years in South America, Vincenzo and Nunziata buy 8 hectares of wild volcanic land, and devote their lives to cultivating the fertile but unforgiving soil. Their dream was to grow grapes. Out of the 8 hectare plot, only 2.7 are vineyards, which Vincenzo tended to until he was 93 years old, when he decided to pass the land down to his grandchildren.

Today, Valerio and Renzo run a micro-production of 4.5k bottles a year. A true gem of the Etna terroir.

The vines are all indigenous and planted following the curvature of the plot. Influenced by the ethos of their grandparents, Valerio and Renzo intervene only when necessary.

Dotted around the vineyard are massive volcanic rocks spat out in past eruptions, Broom brushes and many wildflowers.

The oldest vines are more than 90 years old, and they live alongside much recently planted vines. Spuches' production is tiny: only 4500 bottles/year. It's one of the reasons why we adore these wines and feel so lucky to bring them to you.

“Badalarc”, derives from the family nickname, “Badalacchi”, a word that stands for “bada l’arco” (watch the arch), an expression always used by the winemakers’ grandfather to remind his wife to pay attention to the stone arch of the entrance every time she came back home from the field.

Variety: 100% Nerello Mascalese
Denomination: Etna Rosso DOC
Alc: 14%
Agriculture: Low intervention natural agriculture.
In the Cellar: Macerated on the skins for 30 days, then ages in steel and refined for 6 months in oak.
Region: Northern Slope of Mount Etna, Sicily
Bottles made: 3500