2021 Tenuta di Castellaro ‘Ypsilon’ Terre Siciliane Rosso
Born from the volcanic soils of Lipari Island, Ypsilon is red wine that is agile and contemporary, for carefree drinking, but also for bolder pairings. It is a blend of Corinto Nero, Nero d’Avola, and Alicante grapes cultivated as bush vines on the Castellaro plain, 350 meters above the Aeolian sea.
This wine is shaped by the island’s sun-drenched days and cool, breezy nights. Layers of dark berries, wild herbs, and a touch of Mediterranean spice unfold on the palate, balanced by a fresh minerality and elegant, refined tannins. A true taste of Sicily’s untamed beauty.
Organic farming practices, hand-harvested, native yeast fermentation, no fining, vegan.
- Tasting Notes Dried cherry, dried pomegranate, mulberry, tar, citrus zest, warm earth, smoky volcanic minerality
- Variety 60% Corinto Nero, 30% Nero d’Avola, 10% Alicante
- Region Italy, Sicily
- Volume 750ml
- Alcohol Volume 12.5%
- Table Talk This wine takes its name from the geographical shape of the Aeolian archipelago, which forms a Ypsilon lying on the sea, off the Sicilian coast.
Located on the island of Lipari off the Northern coast of Sicily, the Tenuta di Castellaro estate and winery was founded in 2005 with the goal of relaunching the winemaking traditions of these volcanic lands. This estate was born from the careful selection of indigenous grape varieties from the Aeolian Islands and the reclamation of a part of the land that had been abandoned over the years. It is the realization of a dream and passion that have merged into a perfect union, creating a unique excellence.
Time has preserved this unique island landscape with extreme care, and Tenuta di Castellaro safeguards vast agricultural and natural areas which surround its vines with a radical environmentally sustainable commitment in both its viticultural and winemaking practices tot enhance the beauty of their site.
The 22 hectares of vineyard are exclusively cultivated using the traditional albarello (“little tree”) training system following organic protocols, that give us precious grapes that transform into wines with a unique taste, pure expression of the volcanic territory.
The Castellaro Plain, where most of our vineyards are located and where our Estate stands, reflects a winemaking tradition rooted in history and heritage. At 350 meters above sea level, facing Alicudi, Filicudi, and Salina, our vineyards—Caolino, Gelso, Lisca, Panoramica, and Cipressi—thrive on volcanic sandy soils rich in minerals, which impart structure and longevity to the wines.
With strictly narrow albarello vine management there is no possibility for any mechanization in the vineyards. In the cellar, which is subterranean and zero impact, during the day the solar chimneys give enough lighting that there’s no need to turn on the electricity. A tower of the winds exploits the strong winds and a thermo-labyrinth keeps the temperature constant all the time. The wine is racked by gravity as the cellar has been built on three levels.
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