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Buy OnlineThe I Vigneri di Salvo Foti "Aurora" Etna Bianco is a stunning white wine from the slopes of Mount Etna, crafted by renowned winemaker Salvo Foti and his team at I Vigneri, a collective dedicated to preserving the traditional winemaking heritage of Sicily's Etna region. The vineyards are planted at high altitudes on the volcanic soils of the mountain, which impart a unique minerality and character to the wine. "Aurora" is made primarily from Carricante, an indigenous Sicilian grape variety known for its vibrant acidity and ability to express the terroir. The wine showcases aromas of citrus, white flowers, and hints of herbs, with a pronounced mineral backbone. On the palate, it is elegant and fresh, with a salty finish that reflects the influence of the volcanic soil and Mediterranean climate. Perfect for pairing with seafood, grilled vegetables, or light pasta dishes, Aurora is a pure expression of Etna's unique terroir and Salvo Foti's dedication to traditional, sustainable winemaking.
93/100 Jason Millar, Decanter UK, November 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"First made in 2013 from an abandoned vineyard that has been slowly replanted, Aurora is a characteristically uncompromising Etna Bianco from Salvo Foti, the winemaker who helped put Benanti on the map in the 1990s. Piercingly fresh aromas of lemon and lime juice appear on the nose, backed by nervy, highwire acidity that delivers a cool, faintly metallic snap. Somewhere in the enigmatic core of this tightly coiled wine is a leesy richness waiting to unfurl, signalled for now only by the slightest note of fresh alpine butter and camomile flowers.
The fruit comes from the 2024 harvest, reaching only 11% alcohol naturally. Although from the Caselle contrada in Milo, this vintage does not qualify for Etna Bianco Superiore as the minimum abv required is 12%. Farmed and vinified with a low intervention approach, this is pristinely clean with laser-like focus, the 90% Carricante and 10% Minella Bianco aged only in steel for 12 months before bottling. It will need time to mellow and gain complexity, but if you like electrifyingly fresh whites such as good Aligoté or young Dauvissat, you will get a thrill out of this right now."
