I’ve just been notified that Andrea Franchetti, proprietor of Passopisciaro and Tenuta di Trinoro, passed away late Sunday evening in Rome.
He was another of the philosopher/genius winemakers, a fiercely independent thinker and brilliant in so many ways.
He left us far too soon, and will be greatly missed…
how old was he? This is really sad news. Thanks for sharing.
Terrible news, Passopiscario was my introduction to Mt Etna and Nerello Mascalese. His championing of the Contrada di Etna was a major contribution to the region.
A nice article about him in Repubblica.
Passopisciaro was my first Etna/Nerello, as well as my wife’s first, “ooh I like that one” wine. Sad to hear, hope the family is well.
Wow. Echoing the others in this thread- Passopisciaro turned me on to the wines of Etna years ago and I’ve always been a fan. Sad. He couldn’t have been that old. Was it sudden?
A little more info. In English.
In his honor this evening, a bottle of 2008 Passopisciaro Franchetti (60% Petit Verdot and 40% Cesanese d’Affile).
Big, ripe, smoky, interesting – a wine worth savoring and contemplating.
Jancis captures him well…
Having a bottle tonight. Sad that he’s gone.
Very sad, will have to open a Passopisciaro this weekend