Deep, rich, and full of character, Tenuta di Castellaro’s Nero Ossidiana is a true expression of the volcanic terroir of the Aeolian Islands. Crafted from a blend of Corinto Nero and Nero d’Avola, this wine offers a complex bouquet of dark fruit, spices, and mineral notes.
Honoring Ancient Traditions with Corinto Nero
Composed of 90% Corinto Nero, Nero Ossidiana is one of Tenuta di Castellaro’s signature wines, showcasing the Sicilian winery’s dedication to preserving local traditions and unique characteristics.
This ancient autochthonous variety highlights the winery’s commitment to perpetuating Lipari’s millennia-old winemaking tradition. The ambition was to create the first true “classic Red of the Aeolian Islands,” and thus, Nero Ossidiana was born, named after obsidian, the deep black volcanic rock that defines the Aeolian landscapes.
Sun, stones, wind, earth, and sea: these elements embody much more than the organic wines of Tenuta di Castellaro. These wines emerge from the volcanic yet Mediterranean terroir of Lipari and are crafted from the indigenous grape varieties of the Aeolian Islands.
Corinto Nero: An Ancient Grape with Greek Roots
Corinto Nero boasts ancient origins and is believed to have been introduced to Sicily by the Greeks. Over the centuries, it has adapted to the unique climate and soil of the Sicilian islands, where it thrives ideal growing conditions thanks to its proximity to the sea and the presence of mineral-rich volcanic soils.
Revitalizing Corinto Nero through Mass Selection
“With the guidance of French consultants from Pépinières Guillame, a renowned producer of quality vine plants since 1895, Tenuta di Castellaro conducted a mass selection of Corinto Nero, this indigenous variety, along with Malvasia delle Lipari, in the vineyards of the Aeolian Islands,” explains Massimo Lentsch, who founded the winery on the island of Lipari in 2005.
The plants were reproduced starting from cuttings, selected from a vineyard with diverse DNA, aiming to preserve the maximum genetic variability within the same grape variety, with plants having different physiological and productive characteristics. Through this recovery effort, Tenuta di Castellaro has achieved national prominence in the cultivation of Corinto, a very low-yielding variety that presents significant agronomic challenges.
A Wine of Character: The Distinctive Profile of Nero Ossidiana
Present since the first harvest in 2008, Nero Ossidiana – Corinto Nero blended with 10% Nero d’Avola – with its deep ruby red hue, “is a complex and structured wine,” explains Emiliano Falsini, enologist at Tenuta di Castellaro. “It stands out for its salty notes and spicy tones, but also for its strong and decisive character. The wine, which balances the acidity and elegance of Corinto Nero with the supple warmth of Nero d’Avola, expresses the unique identity of a land that is both volcanic and marine, representing the harmonious union of the island and the sea.”