Sergio's Pick

Founded in 2007 by Mario Paoluzi in collaboration with Etna expert Salvo Foti, I Custodi delle Vigne dell’Etna acts as the "guardians" of the volcano’s ancient viticultural heritage. The winery prioritizes organic and biodynamic farming, utilizing traditional manual labor and the help of a mule named Ciccio to maintain century-old, bush-trained albarello vines. Working within the historic I Vigneri guild, they restore dry-stone lava terraces to preserve the unique volcanic landscape while producing wines that emphasize elegance, minerality, and long aging. Their flagship bottlings, like the Aetneus, are crafted from high-altitude vineyards on Etna's north slope to showcase the "raw emotion" and complexity of the mountain’s terroir.