Since 2001, Frank Cornelissen has become an emblematic figure of the very singular vineyard of Etna, the Sicilian volcano known locally as "Mongibello" or "Munjebel". With total respect for nature, and with minimum of intervention, he signs authentic terroir driven wines that are intense and deep.
In 2001, Frank Cornelissen went from being a Belgian wine merchant specialising in Italian wines to a Sicilian winemaker and became an emblematic figure of the very special vineyards of Etna, the volcano known locally as "Mongibello" or "Munjebel". Located on the high slopes (between 600 and 1000 m) of the northern valley of Etna, he has created an estate that today has 22 hectares of vines, to which are added olive trees, fruit trees and cereals, worked according to a "philosophy" based on the acceptance of and respect for Nature in all its complexity, often misunderstood by man. The vines are planted with the varieties typical of the Etna terroir, mainly nerello mascalese, nerello capuccio, uva francese, carricante, catarratto, grecanico. No or very little ploughing (according to the principles of Fukuoka's "wild" agriculture), no treatments (except in exceptional cases), small yields and complete ripeness of the grapes. Vinification is carried out by long, gentle infusion in "neutral" vats (epoxy resin) and ageing is carried out in vats or in buried earthenware jars. In addition to the "generic" cuvées, Frank Cornelissen multiplies the parcel-based cuvées named Munjebel + the initials of each "cru" ("contrada"): MC, CS, VA. It is clear that these are authentic terroir wines, intensely and deeply.
Nerello Mascalese from the Campo Re "contrada", a north-facing vineyard that sits at 730m altitude. Destemmed then macerated for 50 days, and matured for 18 months in vats before bottling.
Nerello Mascalese from the lower part of the vast Feudo di Mezzo "contrada", at 580m altitude, on a north-facing slope. Destemmed, macerated for around 50 days, and matured in vats for 18 months before bottling.
A unique terroir, located in the Chiusa Spagnolo area, a kind of volcanic rock amphitheater in the "contrada" Zottorinoto, with old vines of nerello mascalese frank of foot (planted around 1925).
Produced with Grecanico Dorato and Carricante, two typical Sicilian grape varieties. The grapes are pressed after a few days of skin contact, thereby capturing the full expression of its aromas.
Un terroir unique, situé dans le cru Chiusa Spagnolo, sorte d'amphithéâtre de roche volcanique dans la contrada Zottorinoto, avec des vieilles vignes de nerello mascalese franches de pied (plantées vers 1925).
La contrada Barbabecchi, autour de 900 m d'altitude et exposée au soleil levant, avec ses très vieilles vignes centenaires de nerello mascalese franches de pied, donne le “grand cru” Magma du domaine dans les millésimes exceptionnels. En 2010 elle a offert cette cuvée “anniversaire”.