Miles' Pick

The I Custodi 'Aetneus' Etna Rosso 2020 is a highly-regarded, complex red wine from Sicily's Mt. Etna, primarily Nerello Mascalese with some Nerello Cappuccio offering notes of dark cherry, herbs, volcanic minerality, leather, and spices, with firm tannins, crisp acidity, and a long, structured finish, reflecting its high-altitude, old-vine, organically farmed volcanic terroir, often scoring well with critics and known for aging potential. 

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.