Angelo Gaja’s passion for the Etna region began in the late 1990s when, alongside his close friend and famed enologist Giacomo Tachis, he first explored the area’s distinctive viticultural characteristics. At the time, the Gaja family was focused on their historic Barbaresco estate as well as expanding ventures in Montalcino (Pieve Santa Restituta) and Bolgheri (Ca’ Marcanda). Nevertheless, the captivating presence of Mount Etna—a majestic active volcano defined by its snow-capped peak—left an enduring impression.

In 2017, this vision came to fruition with the establishment of IDDA, a joint venture between the Gaja and Graci families. Situated on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna, the project focuses on what has historically been one of the volcano’s least explored viticultural frontiers.