Anthemis is Monteleone’s cru Etna Bianco: a single vineyard of Carricante on the eastern slope of Mount Etna, in the commune of Sant’Alfio, sitting up at 900 metres. The Ionian Sea plays a real role here — bringing wind, rain and cloud cover that keeps things fresh, while the volcanic soils (gravel and sand) do what they do best: shape wines with clarity and a proper sense of place.
The vineyard was planted in 2008 and is trained Guyot (counter-espalier). Harvest is by hand in the early morning, the fruit arrives in small crates, and the winemaking is all about preserving precision: gentle pressing, 48 hours’ natural settling, then fermentation in stainless steel and French oak tonneaux. From there, Anthemis spends 12 months on fine lees in French oak tonneaux, with weekly bâtonnage, followed by 7 months in bottle before release.