Alta Mora

Alta Mora

In April 2013, brothers Diego and Alberto Cusumano, together with their father Francesco, had the unique opportunity to acquire the first contrade of Guardiola, Feudo di Mezzo, Solicchiata and Verzella on the northern slope of Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, renowned for its extraordinary natural environment and its ancient and heroic viticultural tradition.
The project began with the restoration of the terraces of Guardiola, a natural amphitheatre located at an altitude of 800–1,000 metres above sea level. Its unique setting, landscape and exceptional beauty inspired the name of the entire project. After ploughing the soil and restoring the traditional “dry-stone walls”, seven hectares of bush-trained Nerello Mascalese vines were planted.
The winery is located in the contrada of Verzella. Its eco-friendly and innovative design, featuring a modern underground structure, integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. This architectural solution also enables significant energy savings through natural thermal insulation and the use of biomass energy. Cool in summer and warm in winter, the lava rock surrounding the underground cellar helps maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, creating ideal conditions for producing fine wines that express the distinctive character of this unique volcanic terroir.