Cusumano Alta Mora Estate, Etna, Sicily
Image: Alta Mora’s pre-phylloxera vines in Contrada Guardiola
Cusumano Alta Mora Estate, Etna, Sicily, Italy
Alta Mora is an impassioned challenge that brothers Diego and Alberto Cusumano, together with their father Francesco, embarked on with the aim of creating wines from heritage vineyards that express the quality and character of a unique and ancient land. The idea was born from a shared, intimate and deep love for the mother of all volcanos, Etna - the largest volcano in Europe – and a symbol of nature’s ardour and ancient, tenacious viticulture.
The Alta Mora project was launched in April 2013 after a long search led by the Cusumano brothers, which led to the unique opportunity to acquire the first three contrade, 18 ha of vineyards situated between the districts of Guardiola, Feudo di Mezzo, Pietramarina and Verzella on the northern slopes of Etna. A few years later they purchased a 150 year-old, pre-phylloxera 5 hectare vineyard, Contrada Guardiola.
The 80-100 year old vines of Contrada Feudo di Mezzo are used exclusively in the production of Alta Mora Feudo di Mezzo Etna Rosso DOC, while the oldest 150 year old pre-phylloxera vines are used uniquely for the Alta Mora Guardiola Etna Rosso DOC label.
Alta Mora is a continually evolving project. It began with the reconstruction of the traditional dry-stone walls of the terraces of Guardiola; a natural amphitheater set at an altitude of 800-1,000 meters asl. Today, after 8 years of investments on Mount Etna, Cusumano own in total 44 hectares of ancient vineyards where they focus on two grape varieties: Carricante and Nerello Mascalese.
The winery which is located in Verzella, is a modern underground structure which perfectly blends into the surrounding landscape. Designed in accordance with the tenets of hypogean architecture, saving on energy, thanks to the natural heat insulation and the use of biomass energy. Cool in summer and warm in winter, the lava rock in the basement helps to maintain a constant temperature and humidity, allowing these fine wines to evolve and express the unique character of the terroir.
All Alta Mora wines are produced 100% with grapes that carry the SOStain and VIVA "Sustainable Wine" certifications.
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