Wines from an active volcano in Europe are changing the game

Welcome! 👋

It is not often that my team erupts with rowdy excitement after a tasting (they are usually so civilised!).  

But last week, the whole office went completely crazy after trying a selection of Sciara wines from Stef Yim, the genius behind Azienda Agricola Sciara. 

Sciara wines are crafted next to Mount Etna in Sicily – the highest volcano in Europe – which is still active! 

The name “Sciara” means “Lava Road” in the local dialect – a fitting tribute to the fiery, ancient landscape that Stef has come to master.  

These high-elevation vineyards present unique challenges.  

The steep, terraced slopes are too rugged for machines, so everything – from tending the vines to harvesting the grapes – has to be done by hand.  

It’s time-consuming, labour-intensive, and expensive, but WOW – when you take your first sip – my goodness, it’s absolutely worth it.  

Etna’s soil is rich with volcanic nutrients, creating a perfect environment for grapevines. The high elevation also offers an inviting climate where the hot Mediterranean sun and warm breezes extend the growing season, while the drastic day-to-night temperature swings add layers of complexity to the grapes. 

After reading the book The Official Guide to Wine Snobbery when he was just 12 years old, Stef became obsessed with the complexities and culture of wine. 

A man after my own heart, Stef’s intention is to challenge the often pretentious and intimidating aspects of wine culture and push the boundaries of what’s possible. 

Drawing on his experience as a sommelier and working in restaurants, Stef became increasingly fascinated with wines from volcanic soils. 

His winemaking journey took him from the vineyards of California to the renowned wine regions of France, with a brief detour to Tenerife, before he ultimately found his true home on the mineral-rich soil of Etna’s slopes.  

Stef’s wines boast a spectrum of flavours, from delicate notes of redcurrant and strawberry to a supple, elegant spiciness with subtle hints of ginger. Some expressions also play with tasty nuances of mint, fennel, and a touch of pine nut. 

These wines have not only knocked the socks off our team but have also captivated the rest of the world, securing Double Gold Medals at the China Wine and Spirits Awards in both 2018 and 2019. 

If you’d like to get your hands on one of the few bottles we have left, get in touch.

Oh, and by the way, we just launched a new podcast, Million Dollar Bottles! 

The podcast is hosted by me, featuring guest colleagues Paul Harford (Head of USA Investment) and Ryan Lynn (Chief Investment Officer). 

We'll be diving into the world of wine and whisky investing, sharing juicy tips, insider secrets, and market trends you won’t want to miss. 

We would greatly appreciate it if you could watch, like, and subscribe here.  

We look forward to speaking with you soon.

As always, cheers!

Michael Doerr

Founder & CEO, Oeno Group