[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#893727″ text_font_size=”12px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
*This article was originally published on the Wine & Spirits Magazine website in February 2021. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Living on the slopes of Sicily\u2019s Mount Etna has its pros and cons. Etna is Europe\u2019s most active volcano, keeping inhabitants on edge, yet it is also the source of some of Italy\u2019s most singular and delicious wines. Locals say they get used to the activity, but once in awhile Etna sends up a reminder of the power that lies beneath its slopes. Volcanic activity began intensifying in mid-February of 2021, leading to some spectacular discharges of ash and debris, with additional eruptions on February 24. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2102-news-etna-erupts-ash-cloud-cred-ciro-biondi.jpg” title_text=”2102-news-etna-erupts-ash-cloud-cred-ciro-biondi” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”40%” custom_margin=”||25px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1em” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Etna began spewing a massive cloud of ash and debris in mid-February.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo by Ciro Biondi<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n \u201cThe southeastern crater of Etna has by far been the most active one in recent decades,\u201d says Antonio Benanti, president of the Etna consorzio and co-proprietor of his family\u2019s eponymous winery in Viagrande, on the mountain\u2019s southeastern slope. \u201cJust before the [initial] eruption\u00a0took place, we had a few very cold days and it had snowed on many vineyards on all slopes of Etna. So we went from one extreme to the other, first the snow, then the lava.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2102-news-etna-erupts-night-cred-stef-biondi.jpg” title_text=”2102-news-etna-erupts-night-cred-stef-biondi” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”40%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1em” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Volcanic activity picked up again on February 24.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo by Stef Biondi<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n \u201cWe had several hours of constant falls of ashes and stones, like a proper rain,\u201d said Sonia Spadaro Mulone, proprietor of Santa Maria La Nave. Her vineyard reaches up over 2,600 feet on Etna\u2019s southeastern slope, where winds carried much of the ash that fell from the eruptions. \u201cThe stones are light like biscuits, so they do not damage the vines, especially in this season, and all this volcanic material is very rich in minerals.\u00a0I consider it a real blessing: free organic fertilizer!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2102-news-etna-erupts-sonia-spadaro-mulone.jpg” title_text=”2102-news-etna-erupts-sonia-spadaro-mulone” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1em” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]Sonia Spadaro Mulone, owns and runs Santa Mara La Nave Much of the debris was deposited on Etna\u2019s southern and eastern flanks, Photo by Stef Biondi<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The Biondi estate, also on Etna\u2019s southern flank, reported similar activity. \u201c<\/span>It\u2019s quite magnificent to see and hear the power but comforting to know that it\u2019s usually quite a short performance. However, this eruption seems to be going on for longer,\u201d said Stef Biondi, co-proprietor with her husband, Ciro Biondi. The main concern, according to Biondi, is the tremors that can follow an eruption, such as those that occurred on Christmas Eve one year ago.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fortunately, that hasn\u2019t happened this time\u2014at least, not yet\u2014but Spadaro Mulone has experienced the fallout from such tremors. \u201c<\/span>Three years ago an earthquake partially destroyed my 400-year-old winery, and only now I have almost finished the restoration,\u201d she says. \u201cEven if we live on an active volcano and are used to these violent phenomena, the edge between a spectacular event and a tragedy is very thin. But if you live, work and breathe on an active volcano, this is part of the game.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7fgIXK3vG6o” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Massive ash cloud on February 28, 2021, as seen from the east. <\/span>Video copyright: Marco Fulle<\/span>, Volcanic Discovery<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#893727″ header_2_font_size=”28px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n American-born Benjamin Spencer has been living on Etna\u2019s slopes since 2012. A wine maker and wine educator, he founded the Etna Wine School, and last year published The New Wines of Mount Etna. Spencer answered my questions about the latest eruptions of the volcano and their impact on the region\u2019s viticulture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2009-etna-tn.jpg” title_text=”2009-etna-tn” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1.2em” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Benjamin Spencer<\/span> [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen increased activity coming from the central craters. Imagine spontaneous, low-grade tremors and a fiery star of lava at the very top of the mountain every evening for a couple of weeks, followed by a few substantial tremors and a combination of gas, magma and ash being thrown out of Etna over several hours only to return to subtle paroxysms and ash emissions over the following days. It wasn’t the 2013 eruption which lasted six weeks or the 2015 eruption that created a lightning storm of colliding ash over the mountain. Nor was it the Christmas Eve 2018 eruption which included an earthquake that leveled buildings, displaced families, and closed businesses. No, this February 2021 eruption was a good one. It was short, expressive, beautiful, and awe-inspiring.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n The eruption did seem to catch an east-by-southeast wind, so any ash that was emitted over the last week was deposited on the southeast and east slopes of Etna. That said, an incredible amount of effusive lava was deposited into and captured by the Valle del Bove, a massive extinct crater high on the volcano’s east slope.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Most of the vines have been winter-pruned; there is no new growth (buds, new shoots) until about mid-March. The cinders and flakes of pumice that fall to the ground during a volcanic emission event are typically adopted into the soil. On average, about 1,500 pounds of ash fall on Etna\u2019s eastern slope over the course of one year. Light dustings of less than 0.1 centimeter begin adding beneficial nutrients to the soil in a matter of weeks. This eruption deposited a bit of fresh soil (silica sand and small stones) and stopped\u2014 another reason it was good. Deeper deposits from stronger eruptions can asphyxiate the roots of the vines<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The eruption could not have come at a better time. The spring rains are starting. Ash and small stones add porosity to the soil, so the water can dive deep into the subsoil. Etna vines are dry-farmed (irrigation is not allowed), so the vines depend on any water that arrives naturally. The vineyard floor vegetation benefits from the nutrient-rich ash and is subsequently tilled into the volcanic soil to feed the roots of the vines. Of particular importance is Nitrogen, which comes from the green material of that vegetation. Volcanic soil is Nitrogen-poor. Therefore, ash feeds the plants that feed the vines with the Nitrogen they need to grow green shoots, leaves and tendrils in the spring.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I don’t like to put words in anyone’s mouth, but … My feeling is that safe and benevolent eruptions like this are welcomed. Not only do these events confirm what a spectacular thing it is to make wine (at all) on the largest active volcano in Europe, they pose the question: what is it about these particular wines that makes the risk meaningful? The awe we experience here, during an Etna eruption, is probably very similar to the awe you experience in scrolling through photo after photo of Etna’s recent eruption on the news or social media. It’s far better than TV for those who live here, because it’s a real slice of life. I, myself, soak in the moment. It’s an opportunity to witness a geologic event that sculpted a mountain. How many of us can say we saw, or lived through, something like that?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" *This article was originally published on the Wine & Spirits Magazine website in February 2021. All rights reserved.Living on the slopes of Sicily\u2019s Mount Etna has its pros and cons. Etna is Europe\u2019s most active volcano, keeping inhabitants on edge, yet it is also the source of some of Italy\u2019s most singular and delicious wines. Locals say they get used to the activity, but once in awhile Etna sends up a reminder of the power that lies beneath its slopes. Volcanic activity began intensifying in mid-February of 2021, leading to some spectacular discharges of ash and debris, with additional eruptions on February 24. Etna began spewing a massive cloud of ash and debris in mid-February. Photo by Ciro Biondi\u201cThe southeastern crater of Etna has by far been the most active one in recent decades,\u201d says Antonio Benanti, president of the Etna consorzio and co-proprietor of his family\u2019s eponymous winery in Viagrande, on the mountain\u2019s southeastern slope. \u201cJust before the [initial] eruption\u00a0took place, we had a few very cold days and it had snowed on many vineyards on all slopes of Etna. So we went from one extreme to the other, first the snow, then the lava.\u201dVolcanic activity picked up again […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1265,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[46,161],"tags":[118],"class_list":["post-1302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-off-road-with-sj","category-sicilia-off-road-with-sj","tag-etna"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1302"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1302\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1387,"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1302\/revisions\/1387"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
on Etna\u2019s southeastern slope.<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/steeplejackwine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2102-news-etna-volcanic-pumice-cred-stef-biondi.jpg” title_text=”2102-news-etna-volcanic-pumice-cred-stef-biondi” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”80%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1em” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
in vineyards like those of Biondi and Santa Maria La Nave.<\/span><\/p>\nA Perspective on the Latest Eruptions<\/b><\/h2>\n
Photo by Valerie Quintanilla<\/span><\/p>\nHow would you characterize the size or degree of Etna\u2019s eruptions in February 2021?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Did the ash and debris from the recent eruptions affect one part of the mountain more than others?<\/b><\/h3>\n
What, if anything, was happening in the vineyards when these eruptions occurred?<\/b><\/h3>\n
For those areas most affected, how do these new layers of ash and stone impact the upcoming growing season?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
How do the growers on Mount Etna view these types of eruptions?<\/b><\/h3>\n