Island wines from Tenerife, Sicily, & Santorini. MacArthur Beverages

So, what's a volcano TASTE like?

The grape-growing regions of Tenerife, Mount Etna, and Santorini are all unique in terms of their terroir, climate, and viticulture, yet the wines still share some common traits due to their volcanic environments. We’ve put together a selection of bottles to help you explore these intriguing and under-the-radar regions. (Please note quantities are limited, as these are all relatively small producers.)

What to know:

1. Volcanic Influence:

All three regions share a volcanic origin, but the soils differ in composition and how they affect the wines. Tenerife and Mount Etna have mineral-rich soils due to the presence of ash, lava, and basalt, whereas Santorini’s soils are lighter and made up of pumice and ash, which retain little water, resulting in a more stressed vine and concentrated wine.

2. Climate:

Tenerife has a subtropical climate with high variability in temperatures due to altitude differences. The oceanic influence moderates the climate.
Mount Etna has a Mediterranean climate with cool nights due to the high altitude, which contributes to fresh acidity and aromatic complexity in the wines.
Santorini experiences a hot, dry climate, with strong winds that shape its unique vineyard practices. Its proximity to the sea and volcanic soils give the wines a pronounced minerality.

Grape Varieties:

Tenerife features a range of indigenous varieties, with Listán Blanco and Listán Negro being the most prominent. The wines are aromatic, fresh, and mineral-driven, often with a distinctive herbal note.
Mount Etna is known for Nerello Mascalese (red) and Carricante (white), which thrive on the volcanic slopes, producing wines with a balance of freshness, acidity, and minerality, with a smoky or earthy character.
Santorini is virtually synonymous with Assyrtiko, a white variety that thrives on the island’s volcanic soils, producing wines with bright acidity and minerality, and a hallmark briny finish that reflects the island's unique terroir.

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2022 Envinate - Valle de la Orotava Migan Tinto (750ml)

750ml | SKU 100628 | 19 Available

94+ WA

I tasted the bottled 2022 Migan, which was paler than the sample of 2023 I tasted next to it and also felt more reductive. Sixty-three percent of the wine was with lees in used 500- and 600-liter oak barrels, and the rest (from the Tío Luis plot) was kept...

$41.99

2022 Girolamo Russo - Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana (750ml)

750ml | SKU 100617 | 6 Available

94 JS

A slightly funky nose with a touch of reduction at the very first sniff. This shows strawberries, lemon zest, watermelon and peaches. Soft and smooth on the attack, this has velvety tannins and crisp, lifted acidity. Energetic due to its freshness and pre...

$67.99

2023 Karamolegos - Assyrtiko Feredini (750ml)

750ml | SKU 100304 | 22 Available

The 2023 Karamolegos Assyrtiko Feredini is a beautiful expression of Santorini's iconic grape variety, Assyrtiko. It opens with a fresh, vibrant nose, offering aromas of citrus zest, green apple, and a touch of saline minerality, evoking the island's volcanic soils. There's a subtle herbal note in the background, like wild thyme or oregano, adding complexity. On the palate, the wine is crisp and refreshing with a lively acidity that perfectly balances its medium body. Flavors of citrus and crunchy yellow fruits are complemented by a stony minerality typical of the region. The finish is long and precise, with a delightful tension between fruit and salinity, leaving a clean, refreshing aftertaste. Ideal with seafood or Mediterranean dishes, it also stands on its own as a refreshing aperitif.

$22.99

2022 Karamolegos - Assyrtiko Santorini Estate

750ml | SKU 97980 | 19 Available

17 JR

The bottle age shows in the light honeyed aroma. Green fruits and quince sour-fresh brightness. Crisp, intense and mouth-watering and yet rounded in the mouth. Intense and creamy, with a long green-fruited aftertaste.

$34.99

2022 Passopisciaro - Terre Siciliane Bianco IGT Passobianco

750ml | SKU 99250 | 6 Available

90 VM

The 2022 Passobianco wafts up with a pretty and lifted air of wildflowers, chalk dust and a gentle tinge of spice. This opens with a lovely inner sweetness and ripe orchard fruits as traces of salty minerals and a bump of brisk acidity add balance. It ...

$39.99

2022 Sigalas - Mavrotragano Mandilaria Cyclades "Mm"

750ml | SKU 99391 | 10 Available

91 WA

The Domaine Sigalas 2022 Mavrotragano Mandilaria Mμ is a 50-50 blend of both these red grapes cultivated on the island of Santorini. The wine ages in large oak casks for one year and reveals punchy flavors of cherry, cassis, grilled watermelon and apple c...

$27.99

2021 Tornatore - Etna Bianco DOC Pietrarizzo

750ml | SKU 95790 | 4 Available

92 WS

A compact, light- to medium-bodied white, this shows a firm spine of acidity while remaining creamy and supple in texture. Opens in the glass, with fruit flavors of creamed apple, mandarin orange peel and kiwi, while accents of elderflower and salted almo...

$44.99

2019 Tornatore - Etna Rosso DOC Pietrarizzo

750ml | SKU 97513 | 5 Available

93 VM

Like a spice box on the nose, the 2019 Etna Rosso Pietrarizzo opens with dried cherries and cloves, complicated by incense, cedar shavings and mint. It washes across the palate like pure silk. A salty core of minerality adds unexpected depth, and tart wil...

$44.99