Variety: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Capuccio, Minella, Allicante Bouschet and Uva Francesa

Like many before him, Frank Cornelissen fell in love with wine in a romantic fashion. After getting his hands on the coveted DRC, he was naturally committed. After tasting and talking with others in the industry for about 20 years, he began to question the side of wine in a philosophical way. His quest led him to Sicily, where he began to farm in the northern slopes of Mt. Etna, the active volcano. He began to make wine of culture with an approach natural in character. His vines are unlike others in the area as they aren’t planted to high density; instead he has interplanted several forms of vegetation, including fruit trees and buckwheat, allowing the vines to thrive in a polycultural way. The expanse of his love for Etna is reflected in his estate wines, the single vineyard wines, and olive oils. The wines are extremely difficult to come by as they’re allocated; everyone wants these!

Even though Frank calls this his “entry-level” wine, its identity is fairly geeky and interesting. The fruit is a blend from several vineyards with the signature variety of Etna driving the bus, Nerello Mascalese. “Susucaru” comes from a Sicilian expression which means “they stole it” referring to the fact that most of the fruit from his first vintage had vanished.