Frank Cornelissen

'Perpetuum 1' Magnum NV

A rare solera-style blend that draws from multiple vintages to create a wine with layered complexity and evolving depth. Perpetuum marries the vibrant red fruit and spice of Cornelissen’s classic Nerello Mascalese with layered tertiary nuances — earth, floral spice, and mineral perfume — developed through extended ageing in neutral tanks and bottle. The result is a sophisticated, contemplative wine with remarkable continuity and sense of place.

Frank Cornelissen is one of the main figures behind today’s Etna wines’ popularity. He established his estate in 2001 on the northern part of the Sicilian Island, back when Etna as a wine region was relatively still undiscovered. 

Frank farms 24 hectares of vines mostly planted to the indigenous variety Nerello Mascalese, in the most traditional way, avoiding all treatments where possible. Instead, the estate idealises inter-plantation of fruit trees and beehives to regain a complex ecosystem. 

From the Estate range to the single vineyard cuvées (specific crus with individual expressions, produced and bottled only in exceptional vintages), the wines showcase the incomparable volcanic terroir with intensity and uniqueness – textural, yet with lively freshness and endless length.