Federico Graziani is a wine producer from Mount Etna, however his resume shows a stellar career as a sommelier in Italy's finest restaurants and beyond, from Gualtiero Marchesi to Bruno Loubet, from Cracco to Aimo e Nadia.
A wine book author, he graduated in viticulture and oenology from the University of Milan under the guidance of Professor Attilio Scienza. In 2008, he purchased a century-old vineyard in the Passopisciaro district, directly from the butcher of the small town.
Here, thanks to the collaboration with Salvo Foti, a great Etna winemaker, he begins his adventure with a not-so-idyllic debut: in 2009, intense rains during harvest time caused the loss of the entire production; after a long wait, at the end of 2012, his first Etnean wine Profumo di Vulcano 2010 was finally presented in Milan, an Etna Rosso made from Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and other grapes.
A great success that gave Federico the courage to invest time, money, and vision in a project that is now appreciated worldwide. Today there are seven hectares of vineyards and four wines present in the most prestigious restaurants and wine shops nationally and internationally.
The wine range is completed with an extraordinary white wine, Mareneve from a vineyard at 1200 meters above sea level, an Etna Rosso and the Rosso di Mezzo from a single vineyard.
Graziani is a man who always challenges himself with wit and foresight. In 2024, he invited ten great Generation Z wine professionals, the so-called Centennials, to his winery in Montelaguardia, sitting around a round table, in this case made of lava stone.
A unique symposium, at 800 meters altitude, and under the shade of an over 800-year-old olive tree, to discuss and share ideas about the evolution of the wine world in the coming years. Everyone shared their thoughts and, with pride, Graziani states that he was enriched, taking home ideas for the future of his winery.
