Founded by Giuseppe La Monaca, who inherited the vineyards in 2002; his father had purchased one small plot at a time until vines, olive, and cherry trees filled a hamlet on the eastern skirt of the 1566 lava flow. A historic Byzantine dovecote stands at the edge of the vineyards — for centuries carrier pigeons flew to and fro carrying news of daily life, peace, and war. The 2006 Palummaru was listed among the Best 100 Wines in Italy.