Cantine Sava is not just any winery.
It is the storey of a family of farmers who brought a 1790 wine press back to life and restored a 1791 Catanian press: structures that had lain dormant for over two centuries and have now been renovated using the original materials, stone by stone.
The experience begins among the rows of vines: alberello-trained vines nestled in the volcanic sand on the south slope of Mt. Etna, at an altitude of 2,460 feet, in Contrada Salùci. This landscape is radically different from the northern slope – wilder and less frequented – and the mineral-rich volcanic sand can be seen and tasted in the glass.
The most striking moment is the descent into the “lava bubble”: a natural cavity carved out by the volcano's fire, which has been transformed into a wine cellar. Here, the wines rest in the dark, at a constant temperature and humidity, in a place that preserves the memory of the volcano and makes the wines special.
At the end of the tour, we explore the 1790 wine press together. Under the lime of the old wine press, someone had left a message: a cross intertwined with the phases of the moon, carved into the stone. Not a decoration, but a deliberate mark, hidden for us to discover together as we try to unravel its ancient secrets.
The tasting session is led by the winery's sommelier and includes the tasting of three Etna DOC wines: Etna Rosso 2022, Etna Rosso 2023, and Etna Bianco 2024, accompanied by a selection of local products from the area.
The guided tasting is suitable for all levels. We want to make the experience accessible to those who are new to the world of Etna wine, while also meeting the needs of experts!
Nothing special is required for the activity – just comfortable shoes and a lot of curiosity!