Nestled in a quaint hamlet near Solicchiata on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, Carmelo Vecchio and Rosa La Guzza are the visionary couple behind Vigneti Vecchio.

Their journey began in 2016, but their roots in winemaking run deep. Before founding Vigneti Vecchio, Carmelo honed his craft for over 15 years at the nearby Passopisciaro winery under the guidance of Andrea Franchetti. Meanwhile, Rosa inherited a hectare of alberello-trained vines, lovingly tended by her family for 130 years.

The grapes thrive in fertile soils shaped by ancient lava flows, where sandy earth and decomposed volcanic rock meet the region's southerly latitude and cool nights. This unique environment allows the vines, some dating back to the early nineteenth century, to flourish and reach their full potential.

Carmelo and Rosa are committed to organic practices in the vineyards and minimalist intervention in the cellar. Their mission is to honour the terroir, uphold tradition, and embrace the principles of simple enology. They hand-harvest and meticulously select grapes in the vineyard before allowing them to ferment naturally with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks.

With gentle punch-downs and pump overs, the reds are aged in used 500-liter oak barrels, and no fining or filtering is employed. Their annual production is approximately 10,000 bottles.

As Mount Etna attracts a wave of newcomers drawn to its potential, Vigneti Vecchio stands strong as a testament to local expertise and heritage. Their wines proudly hold their own alongside those from Italy's traditional wine regions, showcasing the unique character of Etna and demonstrating why others come to emulate what Carmelo and Rosa have so expertly accomplished.