On the slopes of Mount Etna, where the volcano’s majesty meets the breeze of the Ionian Sea, Monaci delle Terre Nere is an eco retreat and wine resort that reinterprets the concept of sustainable luxury in the heart of rural Sicily.

Nestled in 25 hectares of terraced land cultivated according to the principles of biodiversity and organic farming, part of the Relais & Châteaux collection since 2019, Monaci delle Terre Nere benefits from the vibrant energy provided by the dark lava stone and the generous fertile soils on which it was built.

Sincere and refined hospitality, where nature, territory, architecture and attentive service intertwine to create an intimate, rare and profoundly Sicilian experience.

History: Four Centuries of Spirituality and a Contemporary Vision

The estate’s history begins in the seventeenth century, when the Discalced Augustinian monks of Valverde chose this district of Zafferana Etnea to plant their first vineyards on the volcanic soil. Passed in the nineteenth century to the Patti family—who built the main noble farmhouse—and then to the Leotta family, the estate was reborn in 2007 thanks to the vision of Guido Alessandro Coffa.

A manager with extensive international experience and roots in Catania, Coffa fell in love with the ruin and oversaw an extraordinary, philological restoration based on bio-architecture. Together with Maître de Maison Giovanna Manganaro, the estate was transformed into an icon of authentic luxury hospitality, capable of making every guest feel “at home, away from home.”

Designer homes surrounded by nature

The 25 residences, 8 of which have a private heated swimming pool and many with a Jacuzzi and wood-burning fireplace, are distributed at a reserved distance from the central building. The traditional Sicilian architecture – with exposed beams in chestnut wood from Etna and thick lava stone walls – dialogues in harmony with antiques, designer furnishings of contemporary design and the colorful paintings of the artist Olivier Mourao.

Since 2023, the hospitality proposal has been enriched with The Villas: four ancient restored homes part of the estate that can accommodate from 7 to 15 people to enjoy total privacy and the exclusive comforts of a 5-star luxury hotel, such as the organization of dinners or private events by Monaci’s chefs, the possibility of requesting a butler, personal trainer or barman.

The Gastronomic Soul: Locanda Nerello and the Convivium Bar

Monaci delle Terre Nere’s culinary offerings celebrate the estate’s three pillars: biodiversity, eco-sustainability, and locally-produced.

At the fine-dining Locanda Nerello restaurant, Chef Onofrio Pagnotto creates cuisine that showcases wild vegetables, fresh farmyard eggs, and over 150 varieties of native fruits harvested on the estate, including the Mastrantonio DOP cherry, the Baccibedda pear, and the Aci trunzo cabbage.

At the Convivium Bar, Bar Manager Paolo Sanna creates signature cocktails using syrups, essences, and aromatic herbs harvested directly from the botanical garden. For an even more intimate experience, the Aqua Vitae Spirit Room, an intimate lounge dedicated to tasting rare spirits, has been created inside an 18th-century lava stone palmento.

The estate produces excellent organic Etna DOC wines, including the special Guido Coffa label, and is working to revive pre-phylloxera grape varieties and indigenous varieties such as Nerello Mascalese and Carricante.

The hotel offers a wide range of experiences: from a cooking experience to learn the secrets of Sicilian cuisine to a wine tasting to savor the wines of Mount Etna, from an outdoor yoga class to a horseback ride and a stroll through the garden or vegetable patch to identify aromatic herbs and breathe in the essence of Monaci.

Furthermore, to explore the surrounding area, there is a golf cart service available 24/7 for transportation within the estate, and a free transfer to Taormina at scheduled times or by reservation.

The Secret

In the heart of the estate grow over 150 varieties of native and endangered fruit trees saved by Guido Coffa. But the real secret kept among the vines is the production of “Le viti di Minico”, a wine obtained from ancient relic vines of Etna that escaped the phylloxera of the nineteenth century, whose genome was recovered and replanted in collaboration with the University of Catania.

Useful Info

Monaci delle Terre Nere
Via Monaci s.n.
95019 Zafferana Etnea, Catania
Tel. +39 095 8133002

Rooms: from 550 euros per night with breakfast
Locanda Nerello restaurant
Tasting menu: from 130 euros
Starters and first courses: €28 and €38 euros
Second courses: €42–€55 euros