Benanti is a family-owned winery based on the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, widely regarded as a benchmark for traditional, terroir-driven wines from the volcano. Founded in 1988 by Giuseppe Benanti, the estate played a central role in reviving Etna’s reputation by focusing on native varieties grown at high elevations on old, often pre-phylloxera vines rooted in lava and ash soils. Today the winery is run by his sons Antonio and Salvino Benanti, who continue to emphasize site specificity through separately vinified contrade across Etna’s north and east faces. Farming is careful and largely manual due to steep slopes, with an emphasis on preserving vine health and volcanic character rather than maximizing yields. In the cellar, Benanti favors restrained, classical vinification and élevage, allowing acidity, minerality, and structure to define the wines. The estate is especially known for demonstrating Etna’s capacity to produce age-worthy, transparent wines that reflect both altitude and volcanic origin rather than overt winemaking influence.
