Below is a selection of my favorite images from a recent shoot ( and tasting !) at Benanti Winery , located near Catania,  in Sicily . The winery has a long history and dates back to the late 1800’s.  Benanti’s vineyard sits on an ancient and volcanic crater  near the slopes of Mt. Etna , one of the oldest vinicultural areas in eastern Sicily.  In fact, some of the oldest D.O.C’s are from this area.   The rich volcanic soil and high temperature variation give these grapes amazing flavor. The primary grapes grown near the base of Mt. Etna are Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccino, but Benati is known for it’s production of non-indigenoius grapes.  As a Napa wine photographer, I have tasted many different varieties of wine, but the “vino” I drank in Sicily ranks among the finest!  The wine was so delicious, my wife and I sent a case back home to California!