Frank Cornelissen "Susucaru" Rosato Terre Siciliane IGP 2025

A gorgeous deep coral-pink hue with coppery-orange glints introduces this expressive Sicilian Rosato. Aromas of fresh watermelon, blood orange and wild red berries mingle with hints of persimmon and delicate florals. The palate is juicy and layered, offering tart pomegranate, tangy citrus and warming spice balanced by lively acidity, savory minerality and a subtle tannic grip. Fuller-bodied and more textured than a typical rosé, Susucaru walks the line between rosé and light red, finishing with a pleasantly bitter citrus edge and a lingering flinty, mineral character.

Made from organically grown grapes, Susucaru is a blend of Nerello Mascalese and native Sicilian white varieties, including Malvasia, Moscadella and Catarratto. The grapes are grown on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, where distinctive soils and dramatic growing conditions lend the wine its unmistakable character. Following Frank Cornelissen’s philosophy of minimal intervention, the wine undergoes skin contact to build texture and express its sense of place, followed by full malolactic fermentation for added density, fluidity and stability. The result is a vibrant, food-friendly wine with the structure of a light red and the freshness of a rosato.

Frank Cornelissen established his estate on Mount Etna in 2001, when the region was still relatively underappreciated for its extraordinary winemaking potential. Working primarily in the volcano’s northern valley, he has become one of Italy’s most recognized natural winemakers, celebrated for his meticulous vineyard work and hands-off cellar approach. His vineyards feature traditional alberello bush-vine training alongside both old and younger plantings and his winemaking relies on minimal additions, with sulfur used sparingly when necessary. Susucaru is among his most approachable bottlings, offering an accessible introduction to the wild, volcanic character of Etna. Its name, meaning “they stole it all,” is a fitting nod to a wine that rarely stays on the shelf for long.