High mountainside viticulture conducted in full sun, the mix of such unique conditions make viticulture on Etna a natural laboratory for creating excellence. Over a total of 84 hectares covering the north slope of the volcano,  with vineyards on large terraces, but also on the edge of ancient lava flows, Firriato Cavanera has developed a restoration and enhancement project unique across the whole Etna area. It consists of a pre-phylloxera vineyard, an ancient farmhouse with two 17th century palmentos and vineyards that stretch up the volcano’s slopes at heights varying from 650 to more than 950 metres above sea level. The land, due to the andisol soil having a high silicon content of more than 60%, is extremely porous and the soil substrate of basaltic rock guarantees, due to its so-called sponge effect, a constant source of water for the plants. Here, thanks to the marked range in temperature between day and night, the great oenological merits of the volcano are silently emitted, and are exhibited in its flavourful fruit: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Catarratto and Carricante. It is successively from these grapes that elegant and sought-after wines such as Gaudensius, the cru Cavanera Rovo delle Coturnie and the cru Cavanera Ripa di Scorciavacca are produced.