Frank Cornelissen
SICILY
Since 2001, Frank Cornelissen has become an emblematic figure of the very singular Etna vineyard, a true symbol of Sicily. In total respect for nature, with the minimum of intervention, he crafts cuvées of great naturalness, authentic terroir-driven wines.
Frank Cornelissen, passing in 2001 from the status of Belgian merchant specializing in Italian wines to that of winemaker in Sicily, became a major personality of the Etna region, the volcano locally called “Mongibello” or “Munjebel”. Settled on the high slopes (between 600 and 1000 m) of the northern valley of Etna, he created an estate which today spans 22 hectares of vines, as well as olive trees, fruit trees and cereals, worked according to a “philosophy” based on acceptance and respect for nature in all its complexity, often misunderstood by man. The vines include grape varieties specific to the Etna terroir, mainly nerello mascalese, nerello capuccio, uva francese, carricante, catarratto, grecanico. No or very little plowing (according to the principles of "wild" agriculture detailed by Masanobu Fukuoka), no treatments (except in exceptional cases), low yields and complete ripeness of the grapes. The vinifications are carried out by long gentle infusion in “neutral” vats (epoxy resin) and the aging is carried out in vats or in buried terracotta jars. In addition to the “generic” cuvées (Contadino, Munjebel), Frank Cornelissen produces several single-parcel cuvées named Munjebel + the initials of each “cru” (“contrada”): MC, CS, VA, CR, PA. Authentic local wines, intense with great depth.
