A Visit to Palmento Costanzo in Etna Nord

A palmento is the historic stone winemaking structure in the Mount Etna region of Sicily. Many grower families had a freestanding palmento to make wine for themselves and for locals who would bring large jugs to fill.  Today, modern winemaking facilities have replaced the palmento.  You can still see old palmenti throughout Etna. They are an integral part of this region’s winemaking history. Many palmenti have been modernized and turned into winery tasting rooms, museums, officed and even wine bars and small cafes. A few are still used to vinify wine, with modern adaptations. Two examples we visited this past September during Etna Days were Feudo Cavaliere and Azienda Agricola Modica

One good example of a palmento being restored and turned into a modern winemaking facility is Palmento Costanzo winery, located on the slopes of Etna Nord. We drove to Palmento Constanzo for a visit.  Along the way we drove through the giant lava flow of 1859 which shaped the volcanic soils of this region.  The drive took us along the Quota Mille, a 1000-meter- high road with many natural attractions and wineries along the way.

Residents of Catania, Valeria Agosto and her husband, Mimmo Constanzo, acquired seven hectares in 2010 formerly owned by a grower. They built their modern winery inside and 18th century palmento located on the property and released their first vintage in 2011. Today, Palmento Costanzo is a popular destination for wine tourists. During our visit, we toured, tasted wines and had lunch at the hospitality center’s glass enclosed dining /tasting room.

We first met Valeria in 2022 during “Etna Days” where we had the chance to taste Palmento Costanzo’s wines for the first time. There was an immediate connection with both her warm personality and with the wines, which are expressive and elegant.  Naturally, visiting Palmento Costanzo was high on our list when we returned to attend the Etna Days program in September 2024.

We spent a relaxing evening at Palmento Costanzo’s Casa Prefillossera, a private two- bedroom cottage located amid the vineyards. You can learn more about scheduling at the winery’s website Palmento Costanzo – Etna and at Booking.com.  A stunning sunrise welcomed us the next morning.

Valeria’s daughter, Serena Costanzo, is the winemaker.  Serena studied viticulture and enology at the University of Montpelier. She works closely with Palmento Costanzo’s oenologist, Nicolo Centanzo.

We started with a sparkling Palmento Costanzo metodo classico brut cuvée while strolling the palmento facility. A tasting of the full portfolio and lunch followed. The Palmento Costanzo wines are some of our favorite, notably the supple Etna DOC Bianco Contrade Cavaliere with its pleasant tropical notes of raw coconut and pineapple, and the silky Contrade Santo Spirit Rosso with notes of red currant and almond. We also enjoyed Palmento Constanzo’s Pre-Phyllossera 2019 (120-year-old vines) aged in tonneau which deliver notes of stewed berries, mushroom and black olives.

Here is a selection of few of the Palmento Costanzo wines we tasted. Learn more visiting the website www.palmentocostanzo.com

Palmento Constanzo Bianco di Sei 2022 Etna DOC 90% Carricante, 10% Cataratto sources from 100- year-old vines. This wine spends eight months in stainless steel with lees stirring and one year in bottle.  Time on lees creates creamy notes laced with lemon, pear, thyme and white flowers.  Beautiful minerality.

Palmento Constanzo  Etna Bianco Contrada Cavaliere 2021 Etna DOC. 90% Carricante, 10% Cataratto. The same vinification as the Bianco di Sei, wine with grapes sources from a specific Contrada at 1000 meters has more tropical notes of orange blossom, pineapple and coconut. Plush and pleasant on the palate.

Palmento Costanzo Nero di Sei Rosso 2020 Etna DOC. 80% Nerello Mascalese, 20% Nerello Cappuccio. This wine is aged 24 months in large Austrian oak barrels and one year in bottle. Flavor notes of red cherry, cranberry, almond and vanilla.  Soft tannins and lingering finish.

Palmento Constanza Contrade Santo Spiritu Rosso 2019 Etna DOC. 80% Nerello Mascalese, 20% Nerello Cappuccio sourced from 100-year-old vines. This wine spends 24 months in French oak barrels. It delivers a firm balance of sour cherry, almond and balsamic with firm minerality.

Palmento Costanzo Contrade Santo Spiritu 2018 Etna DOC.  This wine has the same blend and vinification as the 2019 with the same bouquet and flavor notes. On the palate this wine has a soft silkiness.

Palmento Costanzo Etna Pre-Phyllossera 2019 Etna DOC.  90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio sources from 120 -year-old vines. Aged 24 months in tonneau and 12 months in bottle. The wine has an intense bouquet and flavor notes of stewed red berries, mushroom, balsam black olive.

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