In 1435, in Catania, in the shadow of Mount Etna, the Guild of the Vigneri was founded. The main purpose of this association of winemakers was to teach new generations about growing grapes and producing wine around Europe's highest volcano. Almost six centuries later, Salvo Foti is reviving the association of I Vigneri. Salvo understood that to make real Etna wine – and not just wine produced on Etna – he could not do without the indigenous men of the Muntagna. Salvo saw around him how the ancient knowledge was in danger of disappearing with an ageing generation. Hence the intuition to create a group of men with whom he could revitalise the old vineyards on the volcano, men of all ages – just like the vines they care for – where the older ones could pass on their gestures and wisdom to the younger ones. I Custodi is a proud member of I Vigneri.

The Vigneri are capable of carrying out all the work that needs to be done in the vineyards throughout the year, just as it has always been done on Etna: they prune, plough, plant and graft, repairing the dry stone walls that support the rough lava stone terraces. Every October, they are the protagonists of the great harvest festival on the volcano, repeating the same gestures as their predecessors at the beginning of the fifteenth century.

Five producers, old vineyards, scattered throughout Sicily - from Etna to Caltagirone and Vittoria. They all rely on the work of the Vigneri, led by Maurizio Pagano and Salvo Foti. The group is based on respect for the land and a common winegrowing philosophy: bush-trained vines, indigenous grape varieties, protection of the environment and respect for humanity.

Each of the associated producers retains its identity, but expresses its adherence to the common philosophy by using the Vigneri bottle for their wines, with the relief bearing the symbol of the consortium, the bush that has its roots in 1435.