2022 Alta Mora Etna Bianco

The name Alta Mora translates to “High, Black” representing the great heights and dark soils of Mount Etna. The volcano itself is nearly 11,000 feet high and vineyards are planted up to an elevation of 4,000 feet.

It had been a lifelong dream for the Cusumano brothers to build a winery among the black, fertile soils of Mount Etna. In April 2013, after years of searching, they had an opportunity to acquire the first three contrade (loosely translated as district in Italian) on the northern slopes of Etna. The Alta Mora project truly captures the essence of the Cusumano family who believe in taking great risk to produce great, unique wines.

Alta Mora grapes are 100% estate grown and hand harvested. The Cusumano family treats each wine as artisanal and strives for pristine results in every bottle. To do so, they consult with renowned oenologist, Mario Ronco, who is equally ambitious about innovation and meticulous about winemaking techniques.

The Alta Mora Etna Bianco is made entirely from Carricante. Carricante has grown on the slopes of Sicily’s Mount Etna for the last thousand years. It is the dominant grape in Etna Bianco DOC blends, with Catarratto as a possible minor blending partner. The best examples come from volcanic soils at higher altitudes where a large diurnal temperature shift allows slow and steady ripening and the development of Carricante’s naturally high acidity. Carricante is a variety capable of high yields if not tended properly, and gets its name from carica, the Italian word for “load,” implying that the grapes can load down the grape vines.

The estate grapes that produce the Alta Mora Etna Bianco come from 15-year-old vines growing at 1969 feet above sea level. The grapes were crushed lightly and fermentation was controlled at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius in stainless steel containers. The wine rests on the lees for four months before being bottled.

Winemaker’s notes describe this wine thus: “It has a pleasant aroma, a fresh, smooth taste and is unobtrusively flowery.”

Pair this refreshing white wine with seafood, aperitifs, light appetizers or enjoy it by itself.