Sicily, Italy

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!

Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin001 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin002 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin003 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin004 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin005 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin006 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin007 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin008 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin009 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin010 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin011 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin012 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin013 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin014 Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin015  Napa Wine Photography By Rubin Photography in Sicily_0001Napa Wine Photography By Rubin Photography in Sicily_0001-2Benanti's Vineyard on Etna in Sicily Italy by Photographer Alex Rubin016


Tuscany Italy

In May I did a shoot for Branca International in Tuscany, Italy.  Branca International is the maker of Fernet Branca, which many of you foodies out there have sipped on after a delicious meal.  Villa Branca is in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Region.   Branca makes Chianti Classico and hearty Tuscan Olive Oil.  The Villa’s history is long by american standards- the cellar dates back to the 1300’s and was previously owned by the Medici family!  The vineyards and wine cellar are just spectacular.  I had am amazing time working with the winemaking and management team of Stefano and Anna Serbakova.  So in addition to an incredible photo shoot, I gained new friendship that day in Tuscany.

Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography001 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography002Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography007Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography008 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography003 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography004 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography005 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography006Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography010Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography011 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography012 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography013 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography014 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography015 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography016 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography017 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography018 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography019 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography020 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography021 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography022 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography023 Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography024  Tuscany Italy Wine and Vineyard Photography at Villa Branca by Rubin Photography026