Al-Cantàra, SICILY, Italy
The 19-ha estate is located on the slopes of Mount Etna
Perched on the dramatic northern slopes of Mount Etna, Al-Cantàra is a wine estate where volcanic energy, heritage, and artistic vision come together in striking harmony. Founded in 2005 by Pucci Giuffrida near Randazzo, the estate has become one of Etna’s passionate custodians of old-vine viticulture, preserving a precious fragment of the mountain’s agricultural memory while crafting wines that speak unmistakably of lava, altitude, and time.
When Pucci Giuffrida acquired the estate in 2005 he decided to preserve the low-yielding old vines
The estate covers around 19 hectares, with approximately 13.2 hectares planted to vine. Indigenous Etna varieties dominate the vineyards: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Carricante. At the core of the estate, however, lies a remarkable old-vine parcel of 4.55 hectares planted in 1945, just after the Second World War.
Historic Nerello Mascalese vines form the soul of Al- Cantàra
These historic Nerello Mascalese vines were originally planted as traditional alberello bush vines at extremely close spacing, many on their own ungrafted roots, or piede franco — a rare survival in European viticulture. In the late 1960s, sections of the vineyard were carefully modified to alberello training alongside trellising in order to allow limited mechanisation while maintaining the integrity of the original planting. When Pucci Giuffrida acquired the property, the vineyard was already considered difficult and uneconomical due to its low yields. Rather than replacing it, he chose to preserve and elevate it, recognizing its cultural and viticultural importance.
Today, these old vines form the soul of Al-Cantàra.
The vineyard itself is deeply evocative of Etna’s rugged beauty. Ancient twisted trunks emerge from dark volcanic earth scattered with “ripiddu,” tiny lava stones and pumice fragments that are distinctive to this area. Walking through the rows, one hears the crisp friction of the stones beneathfoot, while the dramatic silhouette of Etna looms overhead — a constant reminder that these vineyards exist in a landscape shaped by fire and eruption.
“Alberello” bush vines co-exist alongside trellised parcels
From these old vines come two Etna Rosso DOC wines that embody the estate’s philosophy. The finest sections produce the cru ‘O Scuru ‘O Scuru, while neighbouring parcels contribute to Lu Veru Piaciri. Both wines express the tension and elegance that define great Etna reds: smoky minerality, vibrant freshness, refined tannins, and remarkable depth.
Beyond their historical value, the old vines have proven exceptionally resilient in the face of climate change. Their deep root systems penetrate far into the volcanic subsoil, enabling the plants to withstand drought and increasingly hot growing seasons with natural balance. The vines require fewer interventions in the vineyard, maintaining equilibrium in both vigour and production while producing berries with thicker skins and greater resistance to disease. These characteristics make old vines an increasingly important model for sustainable viticulture on Etna and throughout the Mediterranean.
At Al-Cantàra, sustainability is rooted in respect for the vineyard ecosystem. Vineyard practices are intentionally gentle in order to preserve biodiversity and avoid disturbing the deep-rooted plants. Organic nutrition through green manure crops such as fava beans and lupins replaces synthetic fertilisers, while new piede franco vines are gradually replanted to ensure the continuity of the vineyard for future generations.
Al-Cantàra also stands apart for its strong connection between wine and culture. The estate’s labels draw inspiration from Sicilian poetry, literature, and art, reflecting Giuffrida’s vision of wine as both an agricultural and cultural expression.
The bottles draw inspiration from Sicilian art and literature
Here on Etna, amid lava rock, mountain winds, and ancient vines, Al-Cantàra preserves not only a vineyard, but a living legacy of Sicilian wine heritage.
Instagram: alcantara_winery
Facebook: AlCantara2005
Official website: al-cantara.it
Images supplied by winery