Mt Etna is definitely one of the most exciting wine destinations worldwide.
The land around Mt Etna is a large area extending from the furthest slopes of the volcano to its peak. The cultivation grapevine has always played a fundamental role in the area. It dates back to several centuries ago and over the years has typical feature of this area, being a source of income to those inhabitants who have settled at the foothills of the volcano and symbolize the strong human determination to enhance a steep and wild soil which seems to be inapt to be exploited by man. The magnificent terracing realized with stone walls is only an example. These terraces are real works of art whose extraordinariness makes them rare in the world and admired both by Italian and foreign visitors.
The peculiar environment on Mt Etna that mixes the particular climate to the nature, altitude and exposure of the soil has as result the production of special wines.

Nerello Mascalese is the most prized grape in this area. It is late-ripening (harvested in mid-October) with large clusters, large berries, thin skins and is thought to have arrived from ancient Greece, brought to Italy along the same route followed by the mythical hero Odysseus.
NerelloCappuccio is another important Etna variety and some experts believe it is genetically linked to Carignan.
White wines are made primarily from indigenous Carricante and Catarratto.
The d.o.c. wines of the area are: Etna Rosso e Rosato (Red and Rosé Etna) with no less than 80% of Nerello Mascalese and 20% of Nerello Cappuccio or Mantellato; Etna Bianco (White Etna) with a 60% minimum of Carricante and 40% of Cataratto;  Etna Bianco Superiore (Superior White Etna), produced in the territory of the municipality of Milo. The volcano hail further Sicilian and even foreign vines which seem to find in this rich soil a perfect setting for monovarietal or blended wines: Inzolia, Nero d’Avola, Grillo, Frappato, Grecanico andChardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Mondeuse, Syrah, Petit Verdot.

No other wine region in Italy is as exciting as Mt. Etna right now. In just a few years, the number of winemakers on the volcano has doubled. All the important Sicilian producers today are incomplete without an Etna component.
Together with our professional wine instructors and according to your time at disposal and your need you will visit three different quality boutique wineries located on the south-east flank OR on the north side of the volcano, meet wine makers and locals, taste their superb wines, bring some bottles at home as drinkable memento of this unique wine experience!

Please, feel free to:

• ask for the detailed program or for a customized wine experience info@isolabella.it
• browse all our wine trips in Sicily.

L'articolo Mt Etna wine road – day trip proviene da Isolabella.it.

The incessant sequence of dominations in Sicily left in the lands of Terre Sicane, a piece of Sicily located in the ultimate wetern part of the island between the districts of Agrigento and Trapani, a rich social and cultural context and a splendor heritage made of archaeological sites and settlements and a fascinating tradition of food and wine. An extraordinary biodiversity and a gorgeous natural context characterized by a mild climate and agricultural innovations inherited by many populations in the past: for his Terre Sicane is called “The Golden Triangle” of Sicilian wine growing. Infinite waves of vineyards draw the landscape, offering to the visitor a great opportunity to discover millennial wine growing tradition of the Belice Valley. In this area vines include traditional varieties like Nero d’Avola, Catarratto and Inzolia, and also international grapes such as Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet.
With great dedication and passion this is a land where young winemakers and historical wineries have made an important contribution to the high quality of Sicilian wines all over the world. This is the case of the two wineries included in our visit in the Menfishire wine district which is part of Terre Sicane area.
Settesoli was founded in 1958 by a group of forward thinking farmers who were willing to fight the severe economic crisis which spread throughout the territory. Today Cantine Settesoli has 2,000 partners, a 6,000-hectare vineyard area (almost 5% of all Sicilian vineyards), three cellars dedicated to wine making, an annual production close to 50,000 tons of grapes, and a packing and storage plant. Settesoli is the largest Sicilian vine growing and wine making company, the largest vineyard in Europe and a well-established wine district in the province of Agrigento: 70% of the 5,000 families living in Menfi, Montevago and Santa Margherita di Belìce are involved in the activity of SettesoliSettesoli wines were  originally sourced from Sicilian grape varieties typical of the Mediterranean region, like the Grecanico, the Inzolia and the Nero d’Avola. The range  was later enriched by importing vines like the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. These new varieties were soon producing outstanding wines, allowing us to shift them over to a large scale cultivation. Mandrarossa are the top range wines by Settesoli. These wines are made  by selecting the best grapes, ripened by the intense brightness of the sun and an exceptionally mild climate. Among the many quality wines made in Sicily nowadays, the Mandrarossa wines stand out as fine examples of the winemaking art and tradition on the Island.
Cantine Barbera is represents the other side of Menfishire, a boutique winery where Marilena owner and vigneron rules according to three simple principles: organic farming, natural winemaking and environmental management. Vineyards extends very close to the sea enjoying mild winters, warm dry summers and amazing temperature ranges between night and day. At Cantine Barbera you can find the Inzolia grape, planted in the early 20’s as well as international grapes Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon planted about 30 years ago. Then Marilena’s choice: Perricone, Nerello, Alicante, Nero d’Avola, Grillo. Wines at Cantina Barbera reflect her personality and her thoughts.
In addition to all of these wine what you can find in Menfishire is food, great food: excellent products, from extra virgin olive oil to cheeses made with sheep’s milk, from fruits to the produce of the vegetable gardens (especially artichokes and tomatoes) to fresh caught fish.
Don’t miss this extraordinary wine and food experience while in the area. Join us!

Book this experience OR ask for a customized proposal info@isolabella.it.

Browse all our wine trips in Sicily.

L'articolo A day in Menfishire – day trip proviene da Isolabella.it.

In a trip to the Aeolian islands around the second half of 18th century Alexander Dumas’ father, a French man of refined taste wrote: “… a bottle of Malvasia delle Lipari was brought, it was the most excellent wine I had ever tasted in my life …” the Malvasia is undoubtedly one of the most typical of the products made in the Aeolian islands, specifically on the island of Salina.
From a distance Salina looks entirely green with two rounded high mountains and a smooth coastline. More than 400 different types of plants grow here, including the cultivation of grapes, olives and capers. The mountainsides of the island are covered with ferns, poplars, chestnut trees and typical Mediterranean vegetation covered with caper bushes, prickly per cactus and a variety of orchards, olive groves and vineyards. It’s in this vineyards where the Malvasia wine is produced, a wine of such high quality and excellence to be named the “nectar of the gods, appreciated and exported all over the world. You can not visit Salina and leave without having first tasted the Malvasia, a DOP Sicilian wine made from Malvasia delle Lipari grape (95%) and Black Corinth (5%). Malvasia is golden in colour and has an intense, delicately sweet bouquet which matches perfectly with cheese, fois gras, ice-creams and desserts. There are two types of Malvasia delle Lipari DOC: passito and natural. It is a volcanic wine, thick, sugary, golden… » as the French novelist Guy de Maupassant wrote in «A Wandering Life».

We will visit two two excellent wineries, different in size and history, both of great quality.

Our first winey is named after his founder Carlo Hauner, originally a painter and designer from Brescia, he moved to the island with a passion for winemaking. He arrived in Saline back in 1963 and decided to move to the island in the ‘70s attracted by the cultivation of Malvasia a grape which local farmers harvest the second half of September and sun-dry for two weeks or so on mats making the famous Passito delle Lipari. According to the traditional method the grapes are exposed out on the trellies and taken in at the sunset. Hauner learned the local winemaking techniques and integrated them with modern standards. He put together twenty hectares of plots of lands, restoring the ancient terraces and vineyards and introduced innovations such as withering the grapes on the vine and cooling techniques during fermentation. The new winery was built during the ‘80s in the typical Aeolian style and its inauguration coincided with a rising interest towards the Malvasia among critics, journalists and media, world-wide wine enthusiasts. Today the winery is led by Carlo’s son Carlo junior with a production of about 50.000 bottles of Malvasia in its two versions naturale and passito. Labels on his wine and caper packaging are illustrated by Carlo Hauner’s paintings, inspired by the Eolian colours and architecture.

Then, we will visit the vineyards and listen to the history of a famous Sicilian noble family who made the history of wine in Sicily. Thirty years ago they bought 15 acres at Capofaro to plant Malvasia and produce the famous nectar of the gods in its sweet version as well as in its dry version.
Lunch will be a journey through the Made in Sicily products including home cooked dishes using traditional recipes from stories inherited with the goal to tell the story of the territory and of the soul of the family.

Book this experience OR ask for a customized proposal info@isolabella.it
Browse all our wine trips in Sicily.

L'articolo A day in Salina with the Malvasia delle Lipari – day trip proviene da Isolabella.it.

4 days – 3 nights

In a trip to the Aeolian islands around the second half of 18th century Alexander Dumas’ father, a French man of refined taste wrote: “… a bottle of Malvasia delle Lipari was brought, it was the most excellent wine I had ever tasted in my life …” the Malvasia is undoubtedly one of the most typical of the products made in the Aeolian islands, specifically on the island of Salina.
In its this vineyards the Malvasia wine is produced, a wine of such high quality and excellence to be named the “nectar of the gods, appreciated and exported all over the world. You can not visit Salina and leave without having first tasted the Malvasia, a DOP Sicilian wine made from Malvasia delle Lipari grape (95%) and Black Corinth (5%). Malvasia is golden in colour and has an intense, delicately sweet bouquet which matches perfectly with cheese, fois gras, ice-creams and desserts. There are two types of Malvasia delle Lipari DOC: passito and natural.
It is a volcanic wine, thick, sugary, golden… » as the French novelist Guy de Maupassant wrote in «A Wandering Life».
The volcanic origins of the Aeolian islands left a sensational heritage of jagged, rocky coastlines and black-sand beaches, spaced out by smouldering craters and an incredible fertile and mineral soil where still the nectar of the gods is produced.
In 2000, the Aeolian islands were entitled UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Incredibly varied and of an astonishing beauty, the Aeolian archipelago consists of seven islands (Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea) and five small islets (Basiluzzo, Dattilo, Lisca Nera, Bottaro and Lisca Bianca) in the vicinity of Panarea.
The background is so charming and fascinating, that it even inspired the Greek mythology. In fact, Greek settlers named the archipelago after Aeolus, god of the winds. An irresistible piece of paradise, a magical outdoor background offering a wide range of emotions and excitement at every turn.
The ideal place where to relax and sip the nectar of the gods.

Day 1 – Lipari
Morning departure to Lipari via Milazzo and hydrofoil. Lipari is the biggest of the seven islands and boasts an ideal mix of culture, beaches, clear waters, trekking trails and archaeological sites. Our first stop is the only winery in this island. On the Plateau of Castellaro they have recovered a large area at 350 meters above sea level where we produce our reds, a white and blush IGP (protected geographical indication) wine. The vineyards they call home are in numerous plots scattered throughout the island of Lipari. Walking through their vineyards one notes that the soils are rich in Pumice and Obsidian. These are two sides of the same coin, basically the same stone. Erupted at different temperatures, the first becomes white and light, while the second black and sharp.
A walking tour of the historical centre, the Rocca (the rock) with the ruins of the castle and the archaeological museum is a must before heading to Salina by hydrofoil.

Day 2 – Salina
Named as the “garden” of Aeolian Islands, unearthing this ideal place where to taste capers and Malvasia wine, the so-called “nectar of the gods”.
Let’ s start the day with a visit to Virgona winery, whose vineyards are located in the fertile area on alfa hill, in the north of the island. Go for a guided vineyard/winery tour and tasting of estate wines from Grillo, Moscato, Nero d’Avola and international variety.
We’ll move then to a close estate and listen to the history of a famous Sicilian noble family who made the history of wine in Sicily. Thirty years ago they bought 15 acres at Capofaro to plant Malvasia and produce the famous nectar of the gods in its sweet version as well as in its dry version.
Lunch will be a journey through the Made in Sicily products including home cooked dishes using traditional recipes from stories inherited with the goal to tell the story of the territory and of the soul of the family.
The rest of the day is at leisure to spend in your beautiful resort, enjoy the landscape and sip a glass of Malvasia.

Day  3 – Salina
Today, let’s start discovering the island wineries’ highlights from Barone di Villarande estate. This winery boasts a historic cellar on Mt Etna and a small estate and a small and functioning cantina on the island of Salina, perfectly integrated with the architecture of the Aeolian Island landscape. The entire facility is no larger than 70m² and is entirely dedicated to the production of only one wine: Malvasia delle Lipari Passito. The most important area is the wide terrace (more than 500m²), used for the withering of the grapes in direct sunlight.
Next is Hauner winery, whose fundation relies on a tourist falling in love with the island. In a typical Aeolian style, here the prince of the Aeolian culture is produced, the Malvasia. A guided vineyard/winery tour and tasting will start featuring wines from Inzolia, Catarratto, Grecanico, Grillo, Malvasia and Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Corinto, Alicante, international varieties, and the estate’s Passito styles.
In the nearby hamlet of Lingua a stop at Alfredo’s is a must to wash your mounth with something you cannot miss to taste. A triumph of colors and flavors, the bar opened in 1958 renowned since then for its granite: ices made with coffee, fresh fruit or locally grown pistachios and almonds. It’s also worth a visit for its pane cunzato, open-faced sort of sandwiches piled high with tuna, ricotta, eggplant, tomatoes, capers and olives. You may decide to challenge yourself with one or split it with a friend – they’re huge!

Day  4 – Arrivederci!
Morning at leisure. You may decide to enjoy additional nights in Salina or in any other of the Aeolian Islands or take an hydrofoil back to Milazzo and the main island.

Meal legend: B (breakfast)   L (lunch)   D (dinner)

FEATURES

General info: “The Aeolian Islands Wine Tour” is an escorted trip designed to create a good comfort and let participants enjoy the experience at best. Accommodation provided is first-class, strategically located. The food is always typically local, with a blend of regional delicacies and top wines. Transportation is top quality.
Your wine guide is qualified, pleasant and with a long experience in the wine sector.
Ben studied Viticulture, Enology, and Wine Theory with the University of California at Davis and hold a Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. After working in the California wine business he moved in Sicily, settling on Mt Etna area.

Please, note that for organizational/logistical reasons we reserve the right to change daily schedule and wineries thus maintaining the high level profile of the tour.

Departures & Prices:
2016 tours are upon request for groups of travel companions.
Please, ask for scheduled departure dates and prices for 2017

Flights: we generally recommend that our travellers to arrive one day before the trip starts in order to get their bearings and ease in to the new surroundings.

Travel Services: we would be happy to assist travellers in case of any further services: i.e. pre-post nights in Sicily, Amalfi Coast or Malta. Do not hesitate to ask for info.

L'articolo The Aeolian Islands Wine Tour – 4 days/3 nights proviene da Isolabella.it.

11 days – 10 nights

Vineyards extending for hectares and hectares on the slopes of Mt Etna, the valleys of Noto and Ragusa area, the gentle hills of Trapani and Palermo, the plain of Marsala. Wineries of ancient tradition where the smell of the must conveys at the same time the value of tradition and modern ways of production. Local people proud of their jobs, devoted to their land and with memories and stories to tell.
Visits to wine estates, wineries and cellar will please your Sicily wine experience. With a glass of their wine in your hands, you will meet local vignerons and winemakers and talk over their views for vine growing and wine production. As a wine lover you will share technical information and tasting techniques but most of all you will experience friendly moments drinking Sicilian wines with your travel companions and hosts, tasting local food deliciously matched to the wines.

Highlights
Day 1: Etna wine resort, wine dinner at Firriato
Day 2: Benanti, Barone di Villagrande, Cottanera
Day 3: Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa Ibla
Day 4: Along Nero d’Avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria route
Day 5: Feudo Butera, Agrigento and the Valley of the Temple, Planeta
Day 6: Along Terre Sicane wine route: Cantine Barbera, Settesoli
Day 7: Along Marsala wine route – Erice
Day 8: Barone di Serramarrocco – Segesta – Ceuso – Cusumano – Baglio di Pianetto
Day 9: Tasca d’Almerita – Baglio di Pianetto
Day 10: Palermo

ITINERARY & PROGRAM

Day 1 – Welcome to Sicily! Catania Airport – Etna wine resort
Arrive at Catania Airport, meet & greet with your assistant and private transfer to our wine resort on Mt Etna nestled on a series of terraces covering 11 hectares in one of the most intriguing areas of the volcano, contrada Verzella, where some of the most intriguing wines are produced. A typical manor house restored with colours and layout in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature offering with 11 rooms combining comfort with tradition, all enjoying a view over the vineyards.  These vineyards are ancient, some more than a hundred years old, containing extraordinary plants, which are the expression of an aged-old vineyard producing the best fruit suited to the context of this singular land of excess.
Tonight welcome dinner is at Firriato’s: the tasting start with a fascinating metodo classic sparkling wine from Nerello Mascalese grapes picked before their natural ripening to continue with wines from the traditional ampelografic heritage of the area. (D)

Day 2: Along Mt Etna wine road: Benanti, Barone di Villagrande, Cottanera
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Mt Etna where fire eruptions and blue sky intertwine to give you a unique spectacle. Here where nature mixes colors and fertile lands are imbued with the fragrance of local vines, we start our first day exploring Etna wine. Today we will concentrate on Mt Etna DOC wines, visiting two of the pioneers for quality wine production at the foothill of the biggest active volcano in Europe.
Born at the end of 1800’s out of devotion and dedication of family generations, our first stop is Benanti winery. Here, where ancient fragrances and flavors are meticulously treasured, we focus on the Etna Renaissance and discover Carricante and Nerello Mascalese blends. Being cultivated for four centuries, notice the vigor of these two wines while walking along the vineyard and visiting an old palmento for a tasting paired with some seasonal local food.
Oaks and chestnuts trees woods embrace our next stop: Barone di Villagrande, whose wine belongs to the most-refined aristocracy production. Immersed into a wide amphitheater of terraces and historical vineyards, we initiate a discussion of Etna Contrade and the diversity of wine styles. Enjoy a Sicilian style lunch with wine pairing.
Very close to our resort is Cottanera. On the 65 hectares of vineyards both autochthonous and international varieties are grown. The land is unique and gives rise to an extremely variable ampleographic picture. The Company’s autochthonous red wines are Nerello Mascalese and Cappuccio, traditionally produced around Mt. Etna, alongside with the international Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Mondeuse. The white wines include, the autochthonous Inzolia and Carricante, and the international Viogner. The panoramic view of the vineyards is followed by the visit of the cellar and the barrels, dinner paired with 5 local wines. (B, L, D)

Day 3 – Syracuse – Feudo Maccari – Noto – Ragusa Ibla
Breakfast at the hotel.  Departure to Syracuse, defined by Cicero “the biggest and the most beautiful among all Greek cities”. A UNESCO World Heritage site for its archeological, artistic and monumental patrimony, a perfect summary of the Sicilian history. Explore the baroque heart of Ortigia, the Euryalus fortification, the Apollo Temple, the columns of the Athena Temple set inside the Baroque cathedral like precious stones; get absorbed into the enchanting atmosphere of the ancient Neapolis, the archaeological park where the Greek Theatre is placed: here, still today you can experience the magical tradition of classic tragedy performances. Visiting Syracuse is a continuous alternation of unrepeatable sensations and emotions, which you can feel while having lunch in one of the local restaurants.
Guarding Capo Passero and Isola delle correnti, Feudo Maccari is our next stop. It expands on 1000 tumuli, Sicilian ancient unit of measurement, which corresponds to about 1744 m2.
With one of the most antique and natural way of cultivating vines, the varied typology of its territoir and the differences in high and exposition facilitate the production of complex wines.
Enjoy a guided visit though one of the biggest vineyards of southern Italy and its winery, tasting estate wines from Grillo, Moscato, Nero d’Avola and international varieties.
Proceed to a late afternoon visit to Noto, one of the “baroque jewels” of the island. Thanks to the magnificent architectural details of its churches and nobiliary buildings, the town belongs to the world culture heritage list of UNESCO and for its richness is also known as “stone garden”.
We end up the day at a boutique hotel in Ragusa Ibla rich of churches and historical buildings, hidden among narrowest and charming walking alleys. In the heart of this Baroque city, one of UNESCO sites, our hotel is located in an old small fully restored building dating back to the 19th century. Dinner is at its Michelin starred restaurant with a wine cellar of more 1000 wines, spirits and cigar list. Take a walk after dinner and enjoy the peculiar atmosphere of this lovely town. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Along Nero d’Avola and Cerasuolo di Vittoria route: Gulfi, COS, azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we dedicate our day to explore the best wineries in Vittoria, an ancient land where the taste of Africa immediately jumps on you, not only for the reminiscence of the various architecture, but especially for the vegetation: olive, carob and almond trees, vineyards and the dreamy weather.
Gulfi is the first stop. Unusually, here the vines are not irrigated. This strategy makes them always searching for water, pushing their roots in depth and extracting minerals and nutritive substances that you will find in the final wine. Only biological products with genuine flavors, real expression of looked-after and refined environment. Go for a guided tour of the vineyard/winery and wine pairing lunch at the estate restaurant.
Next is COS winery. This company follows the strict policy of biodynamic viticulture, using terracotta container, for it does not cede any aromatic characteristic and maintain the wine intact with its peculiarity. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery and tasting of the estate wines.
Proceed to Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti, an estate born from the owner’s sensibility for the land and its equilibrium. Here, preserving the biodiversity, the Frappato is sours, bloody red and elegant. The Nero d’Avola withering is realized exactly like in the past to conserve the grape during the winter. From this method Passo Nero is born, a straw wine not too sweet, which still preserves its original acidity.
We finally move northward to reach our wine resort where the harmonic contrast between the ancient and modern style makes unique the atmosphere with a terrace where you can enjoy a unique view of the reserve del Pisciotto, the richest of cork oaks of the island and 300 other species, and the surrounding vineyards. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Feudo Butera – Agrigento – Planeta
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Feudo Butera winery for a guided vineyard/winery tour and wine pairing lunch at the estate restaurant. The name Butera seems to derive from Bute King, one of the first kings of Siculi population, including 320 hectares in an exclusive territoir optimized by the sea breeze.
Continue your tour to Agrigento and visit of the Valley of the Temples. A charming destination where Arts, Culture and Nature coexist in a magical atmosphere stuck in a mythological time. Belonging to Unesco patrimony, is undoubtedly the most suggestive testimony of Greek civility in Sicily. Temples here rise surrounded by countryside, almond trees and flowers, pictured in an immortal scenario in this dreamlike corner of Mediterranean.
Experience the excellence of Planeta hospitality, being one of the most outstanding wineries in Sicily. It was built on a long agricultural tradition owning six different wine estates all around Sicily, each wine with its specific traits in term of viticulture research and wine making. One of them is Ulmo di Planeta, a winery set in an historical background between the Arancio Lake and the old ‘500s Baglio. Its policy is dedicated to the knowledge and valorization of the enological Sicilian patrimony.
In this atmosphere of tradition, we will enjoy a dinner paired with a selection of their wines. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Along Terre Sicane wine route: Cantina Barbera, Settesoli
Breakfast at the hotel. Start the day at Cantine Barbera a boutique winery with  a specific philosophy guiding the owner Marinela, a true vigneron: organic farmig, natural winemaking, environmental management. Here, vines living so close to the ocean that they can turn sea brine into vibrant tasty salinity. Vineyards that enjoy mild winters and warm dry summers, and amazing temperature ranges between night and day. Ripe berries, tasty and sweet, that smell of sunshine and of a gentle Mediterranean wind. There is the Inzolia, which Marilena’s grandfather planted in early 20’s and has so well adapted to the sea brine that you won’t believe she could live anywhere else. There are the vineyards that her father brought to Belicello experimenting with international grapes: Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon, which you may now look askance, but were the new frontier 30 years ago. And then, there’s what Marilena chose to grow: Perricone, Nerello, Alicante, Nero d’Avola, Grillo.
Next stop is Settesoli winery for a focus on the cooperative elements of Sicilian winegrowing, international varieties, research and experimentation. Founded in 1958 in Menfi, today it counts with a surface 6.000 hectares of vines and 2000 of members: a real district of wine. Mandrarossa wines are the top range of Settesoli winery. They arise from a watchful selection of vines and varietals. Full of quality and tradition these labels are addressed to the most refined and delicate palates.
Tonight dinner is at leisure. You may opt for a fish dinner at a cosy sea-side restaurant or relax at the resort with a fine dinner. (B, L)

Day 7 – Along Marsala wine route: Marco de Bartoli, Li Causi,  Pellegrino – Erice
Breakfast at the hotel. Marsala is today destination of our tour. It is the most important Sicilian town for wine production, famous all over the world for its homonymous dessert wine. It boasts the fascinating Saline (Salt-pants), built during the Arab domination and representing a unique splendor place.
First stop at Marco de Bartoli winery for a guided vineyard/winery tour and tasting of still wines. From Grillo, Inzolia, Catarratto, Nero d’Avola blends to his selection of extraordinary local wines, they are all obtained with antique methods creating a well-balanced mixture of different years.
Continue with the visit of the barrel cooperage Li Causi for an understanding of what goes into the making of wine barrels from a cooper. For two centuries, Li Causi family distinguishes itself for the artistic virtuosity of passionate artisans’ hands producing high-quality manufactured barrels.
Proceed to Pellegrino winery for a guided winery tour and tasting of traditional Marsala and Pantelleria wines. It is one of the most florid and important enological industries in Marsala. With its vineyards extending for about 150 hectares. The owner decided to conjugate the modern style and innovative technologies with the cultural aspect of wine, a concept that has been translated into precise architectonical choices, like the structure and the amphitheater.
Driving along the suggestive salt-pans route between Marsala and Trapani, enjoy a late afternoon visit of Erice, a medieval ancient village erected on the top of Saint Julien’s Mount. Admire the breathtaking sunset right from the castle, opening the view to the horizon. Walking along the little cobblestones alleys discover signs, symbols and legends born here even before Punic and Romans built a sanctuary dedicated to the Beauty and Love goddess. Pasticceria Grammatico is an unmissable stop, born from the caparbiety and sacrifice of the owner, a wise and life-experienced woman. Living in a convent during the war, she has learnt the old Erice and Trapani pastry tradition, producing little and genuine piece of art. Dinner is at leisure in this enchanting medieval village. (B, L)

Day 8 – Barone di Serramarrocco – Segesta – Ceuso – Cusumano – Baglio di Pianetto
Breakfast at the hotel. In the same lands once destined to wine production for Royal Court in Sicily, rises Barone di Serramarrocco, surrounded by Sicilian hills with woody areas. Particular for its thermic excursion and its position overviewing the Aegadian Islands, tour the winery and taste Grillo, Nero d’Avola, Pignatello and Bordeaux varieties.
Take some time to visit Segesta, a historical city uninhabited by now and founded by Elymians. Peculiar beauties are the Doric Temple, among the most intact monuments from Antiquity, which rises on a hill framed by Monte Bernardo and Monte Barbaro, and the Theatre, partly dug into the rock of the hill.
The 50 hectares right next the archeological site in Segesta call to mind the splendor of the Magna Grecia: Ceuso winery. Visit of the structure and tasting of wines from Zibibbo, Grillo, Nero d’Avola and Bordeaux varieties. Using old vitrified cement tanks to wine refining is an important aspect of company philosophy, which allows the production of non-filtered and complete wines.
Proceed to Cusumano winery, walk throughout the winery to visit and taste indigenous Sicilian varieties and international blends. In each of the thirteen Cusumano labels, there is a piece of Sicilian territory and history. 400 hectares located in many different kind of areas in Sicily; from the northern microclimate to hot Sicilian sun, giving the wines a special body, strength and complexity.
Drive to our wine relais, laying between the hills and the lake of Piana degli Albanesiand enjoy the French-Sicilian hospitality of this beautiful places surrounded by the vineyards. (B, L, D)

Day 9 – Tasca d’Almerita – Baglio di Pianetto
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, about two hour drive for an incredible wine experience at Tasca d’Amerita for a vineyard/winery tour and tasting experience. Core of the ‘800s social and artistic Sicilian life, it has introduced new cultivations and agricultural machineries. With almost 600 hectares of cultivated vineyards, the aim was to make the estate a modern and specialized model, fighting against the difficulties of operating in the underdeveloped Sicily of the past centuries. Do not miss the technical wine tasting and the tour of the vegetables garden, looking for perfumes and authentic flavors of land, which will compose your lunch.
Drive to Baglio di Pianetto winery which stems from the desire of its founder to create a wine that celebrates the uniqueness of the Sicilian terroir through the savoir faire of the great French chateaux.
A challenge born out of the love for the land and its fruits which since 1997 has pushed Count Paolo Marzotto and his family to innovative and daring choices, in full respect of territorial identity.
Today, the second and third generation alongside the founder in this endeavor with the same devotion and the same enthusiasm. Located in the DOC area of Monreale, in province of Palermo, its vines are regularly ventilated thanks to their position at about 650 meters a.s.l. The aim of this company is to produce fresh wines, strongly defined by Sicilian characteristics, though always ensuring the sustainability of the producing process.  We will visit the cellar and enjoy a wine paired dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 10 – Palermo
Breakfast at the hotel.
Enjoy the morning at the relais and get ready to your excursion to the capital of Sicily. You cannot leave Sicily without a visit to Palermo, smell its lifestyle and admire its most important treasures: the Norman Palace and its Palatine Chapel with the splendid mosaics of Byzantine tradition and the Christ Pantocrator, the Arab-Norman Cathedral, the Oratorio of Santa Cita with the rich stuccoes by the Sicilian sculptor Gagini, a unique masterpiece of the Baroque-style and the Teatro Massimo, one of the most beautiful Opera Houses in Europe. This night get prepared for your farewell dinner in Palermo with a haute Sicilian style cuisine and wine pairing. (B, D)

Day 11 – Arrivederci!
Transfer to Palermo Airport and departure.

Meal legend: B (breakfast)   L (lunch)   D (dinner)

FEATURES

General info: “The Grand Tour of Sicily Wines” is an escorted trip designed to create a good comfort and let participants enjoy the experience at best. Accommodation provided is first-class, strategically located. The food is always typically local, with a blend of regional delicacies and top wines. Transportation is top quality.
Your wine guide is qualified, pleasant and with a long experience in the wine sector.
Ben studied Viticulture, Enology, and Wine Theory with the University of California at Davis and hold a Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. After working in the California wine business he moved in Sicily, settling on Mt Etna area.

Please, note that for organizational/logistical reasons we reserve the right to change daily schedule and wineries thus maintaining the high level profile of the tour.

Departures & Prices:
2016 tours are upon request for groups of travel companions.
Please, ask for scheduled departure dates and prices for 2017

Flights: we generally recommend that our travellers to arrive one day before the trip starts in order to get their bearings and ease in to the new surroundings.

Travel Services: we would be happy to assist travellers in case of any further services: i.e. pre-post nights in Sicily, Amalfi Coast or Malta. Do not hesitate to ask for info.

Reservation & Payment: a deposit of 30% per person is required at the time of reservation. Final payment of the tour is due 60 days prior to departure.

Book this tour OR ask for a customised proposal info@isolabella.it
Please, feel free to browse our add-on wine tour at the Aeolian Islands or all our luxury tours.

L'articolo The Grand Tour of Sicily Wines – 11 days/10 nights proviene da Isolabella.it.

Feudo Principi di Butera lies in the heart of Sicily, in the province of Caltanissetta, not so far from Agrigento (less than 90 minutes driving) in those lands who once belonged to important noble families such as the Branciforte and the Lanza who built the ancient Baglio, the fortified manor house, now completely restored with great attention and brought to life the intense ochre colour of its walls which becomes even more striking when meeting the blue and the green of the surrounding landscape. The 320 hectare estate includes over 180 hectares of vineyards offering a pretty unique terroir thanks to the warm and dry climate which optimises the development and perfect ripening of the grapes, a sea breeze which carries all its benefits to the vines and the warm, strong sunlight which is so typical of the southern areas of the island.

The vineyards of the Feudo Principi di Butera estate bask in the influence of quite particular weather conditions:  they are situated on hills with an average altitude of 250m-350m above sea level at a distance of only 10km from the sea; they are found in limestone and shell rich areas meaning the earth is white, an element which gives the grapevines the an appropriate growth balance.

The main vine is the autochthonous Nero d’Avola, recognized worldwide as a symbol of the renewed Sicilian oenological tradition. Other varieties which have found an excellent terroir in our vineyards are, among the red wines, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, whereas we can find, among the white wines, Chardonnay and Insolia, another autochthonous wine with an elegant personality.

The new wine cellar represents a union between tradition, modernism and efficiency: a careful use of primary materials integrated in the architectural and natural surroundings and conceived exclusively with the wine making process to transform grapes into wine of the highest quality, suitably resting at a constant temperature in precious Slavonian oak barrels of 30 hectolitres and highly sought after French oak barrels of 350 litres.

The entirety of the wine cellar is open to the public, from vinification to storage and bottling of these important red wines. Enjoy reading “Feudo Butera and the miracle of wine”, our first-hand experience at the winery.

This ideal wine day trip ends at one of the most important Michelin starred restaurants in Sicily, La Madia located in the small town of Licata about midway between Agrigento and Gela. A major seaport developed at the turn of the twentieth century, heavily reliant on the fishing industry, Licata served as an Allied landing, Operation HUSKY, point during the 1943 World War II invasion of Sicily.
Its patron and chef is Pino Cuttaia. After working in Michelin starred restaurants in Northern Italy for several years, he decided to return to his hometown, Licata, where he opened La Madia restaurant in 2000. Pino is happy to cook exactly the way he dreamt, giving his personal interpretation of Sicilian classics – arancini, couscous, cannoli, and more. In the kitchen a team of nine, working together with Chef Pino. Not a big brigade, yet a customized one: La Madia seats around 40 people, with a chef-to-guest ratio of 1-to-4. If you are familiar with top chefs’ cuisine, you already know about some modern techniques and textures. You won’t find liquid nitrogen and siphons here: Chef Pino loves techniques only as far as they enhance his Sicilian childhood memories. Pino Cuttaia and the character of the sole tells more about the chef and about our fabulous experience at La Madia.
Now it’s your turn. Enjoy this wine trip, join us!

Book this experience OR ask for a customized proposal info@isolabella.it or browse all our wine trips in Sicily.

L'articolo A day at Feudo Principi di Butera – day trip proviene da Isolabella.it.

8 days – 7 nights

A wine journey to discover Planeta wines in Sicily is a journey all around the island. Planeta is one of the most outstanding wineries in Sicily, built on a long agricultural tradition handed down since 1500 through 17 generations originally in the area between Sambuca di Sicilia and Menfi. Nowadays, Planeta owns six different wine estates all around Sicily, each wine with its specific traits in term of viticulture research and wine making: Ulmo, at Sambuca di Sicilia, Dispensa, at Menfi; Dorilli, at Victoria; Buonivini at Noto, Feudo di Mezzo at Etna in Castiglione di Sicilia, and finally, La Baronia, at Capo Milazzo, for a total surface area of  363 hectares of vineyards.
Always and everywhere keyword in research and production is connecting the past to the future and combining a deep bond with the oldest wine-making Sicilian tradition and the heritage of native varieties with the acclaimed international ones. Essential point of reference are environmental sustainability, achieved through landscape conservation, renewable energy, recycled materials and sustainable agriculture, with the utmost respect for the territory, cultural heritage and the communities within which the company operates.

Highlights
Palermo: city tour
Menfi: wine resort, Ulmo and La Dispensa estate, Selinunte
Agrigento: Valley of the Temples
Ragusa: Dorilli and Buonivini estate, city tour of Ibla and Noto
Syracuse: archaeological park, Ortigia
Etna: Feudo di Mezzo estate, Taormina and Greek Theatre

ITINERARY & PROGRAM

Day 1: Palermo – Menfi
Arrival at Palermo airport, short tour of the capital of Sicily according to your time of arrival in Sicily. Proceed to Menfi area and accommodation at wine resort

Day 2: Sambuca di Sicilia, Selinunte
The journey starts at the Ulmo estate, Planeta’s first winery, located near Sambuca di Sicilia, a town of Arab origin on the shores of Lake Arancio. Inaugurated in 1995 and surrounded by 93 hectares of vineyards where several grape varieties are grown, it stands in a landscape of matchless beauty, with a wine cellar built just a few meters away from the 16th-century farmhouse – The Baglio – which has always been owned by the family and which now is devoted to hospitality and wine tasting.
This estate is home to Chardonnay Planeta, one of the super crus grown by the firm, and to the single-vineyard crus: Merlot Sito grown by the firm, and to the single-vineyard crus: Merlot Sito dell’Ulmo and Syrah Maroccoli. Finally, there are the territorial varieties: Alastro and Plumbago, monovarietal Grecanico and Nero d’Avola respectively.
At the Ulmo, the wine cellar is architecturally in keeping with the surrounding territory and local traditions, the ground floor houses the fermentation tanks. The underlying barrique cellar, which has about 700 barriques, is where the finest grapes are aged and where Planeta makes their latest challenge Classical Method Brut.
Additionally, at the Ulmo you will find an open-air Iter Vitis Museum (grapevine route), dedicated to the history of Sicilian wine, which includes a teaching field where you can observe all the Sicilian varieties and even some ancient Georgian varieties and La Segreta nature trail, which offers a choice of three routes along the vineyards, revealing surprising landscapes and pockets of wilderness.
La Dispensa estate is the historical heart of the Planeta family and nowadays the technological, production and administrative center of the winery. Located in the hills of Menfi and surrounded by over 120 hectares of vineyards, the baglio, with the family’s private residences, is the largest estate and winery. The super cru Cometa, the single-vineyard Burdese and La Segreta White, La Segreta Red and Rosé wines, are grown and bottled in this enchanting scenario. The tastings are held at La Biblioteca, which houses hundreds of books dedicated to the grapevine, from the 18th century to the most recent publications. The interior of the small wine cellar is also home to the Infernotto, a vault that holds a selection of the best labels from around the world and the complete collection of all Planeta vintages, from the very beginning to those currently on sale, thus affording an overall view of their evolution throughout the course of time.
Visit of the archaeological park of Selinunte.

Day 3: Agrigento – Ragusa
Morning drive to Ragusa aera with en-route visit of Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, accommodation at a wine resort in Ragusa area.

Day 4: Vittoria – Ragusa
Visit and wine tasting at Dorilli estate standing at the heart of the production area of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, near the Dorilli River that inspired its name, located just a few kilometers away from the Donnafugata Castle, from the city of Ragusa and near the coastal area that leads to the Kamarina archaeological site.
The beautiful farmhouse dating back to the early nineteen hundreds and the wine cellar of the same period, have both been renovated thus maintaining their distinctive original features. The 34 hectares vineyards are entirely planted with Nero d’Avola and Frappato that unmistakably characterize the unique aromatic profiles of the two wines produced at the winery: Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, and Dorilli, Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG. Cerasuolo di Vittoria is an ancient and distinctive wine that symbolizes this part of Sicily. Since 2006 it can boast the D.O.C.G. mark (controlled designation of origin guaranteed), the first and only wine to have received it in Sicily. The wine cellar, whose interior holds both old steel-coated cement vats and modern stainless steel tanks, has been renovated while respecting the early 20th-century architecture.
Proceed to Ragusa for a visit of Ibla, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Day 5: Noto – Syracuse – Etna
Located near the late-Baroque towns of Noto and Modica, now and only a few kilometers away from the picturesque seaside village of Marzamemi, the Buonivini estate takes its name, from the ancient district where it is located. The estates covers 51 hectares planted with Nero d’Avola and Moscato Bianco used to make the Santa Cecilia DOC Noto and Passito di Noto DOC wines respectively that are vinified in the “Invisible Wine Cellar” an absolutely cutting-edge project, born from the perfect combination of technical requirements, enological tradition and modern architectural solutions. In order to reduce environmental impact to a minimum, the wine cellar is built entirely underground. The structure is very bold from an architectural point of view, yet it pleasantly contrasts with the mellow hillsides of eastern Sicily that surround this small and beautiful country house. The Palmento going back to the beginning of the 1900’s was originally where the grapes were pressed and the fermentation of the must took place in large pits excavated in the rock. It has  been recently been rebuilt maintaining the original architecture and turned into the perfect place for hospitality and wine tasting.
Proceed to Noto for a visit to the capital of the Baroque style architecture in Sicily, part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. 

Day 6: Syracuse – Etna
Departure to Syracuse to discover the Archaeological Park with its 15,000-seat Greek theater, elliptical Roman amphitheater and Latomie del Paradiso, the largest of the stone quarries excavated in ancient times. Continue to the island of Ortygia, Syracuse’s old town for lunch at leisure and check in at our deluxe Grand Hotel. Highlights of this afternoon‘s walking tour are Caravaggio’s Burial of Saint Lucy in the Badia and the Cathedral, incorporating the Greek Temple of Athena and the baroque historic centre of Ortigia, Accommodation at country boutique hotel in Mt Etna area.

Day 7: Etna – Taormina
Visit and wine tasting at Feudo di Mezzo estate on Mount Etna covering an area of approximately 460 square kilometers, which makes it the largest active volcano in Europe, and is the third most active in the world. The flanks of the volcano are a ancient and charming wine-growing zone, which has seen few substantial changes since the days of the ancient Greeks who some 25 centuries ago described it in their legends. Here, Planeta has identified three extraordinary sites: the first is Sciara Nuova, 870 meters above sea level, Montelaguardia, and Feudo di Mezzo estate, placed in a central position compared to the other vineyards which hosts the wine cellar, an ambitious architectural project perfectly integrated into the landscape, by building it in an old lava flow, a perfect synthesis of a modern architectural design with the particular traditions of the district. Four wines are produced: Two our Etna crus, Eruzione 1614 Carricante and Eruzione 1614 Nerello Mascalese plus  an Etna Bianco DOC and an Etna Rosso DOC. Additionally, the Planeta Classic Method Brut begins its existence at Feudo di Mezzo, with its cultivation and vinification.
Proceed to Taormina to visit this famous Sicilian jewel and its Greek Theatre offering an extraordinary view over Mt Etna and the sea.

Day 8: Catania – departure
Departure to Catania Catania a fascinating city, once a Greek colony and now Sicily’s second largest city, cultural and economic center. Walking tour of the historical center strats with the lvely fisk-market and the Duomo Square and introduce you to ornate Sicilian baroque with visits to the opulent Benedictine Monastery of San Nicola L’Arena and the Teatro Massimo Bellini, the opera house named for beloved composer and native son, Vincenzo Bellini. 
Remarks: the visit of Catania takes about 2hours. Please book your flight schedule accordingly. 

FEATURES

General info: “Planeta wine tour” is an escorted trip. It is a private tour for individual travellers and can be adapted to a small group of travel companions. It is available all year round on request.  It is designed to create a good comfort and let participants enjoy all the areas at best. Accommodation provided is first-class, strategically located. The food is always typically local, with a blend of regional delicacies and top wines. Transportation is top quality. Your driver/escort or tour escort is qualified, pleasant and with a long experience in the field.

Departures & Prices: available all year-round, upon request

Travel Services: we would be happy to assist travellers in case of any further services: i.e. pre-post nights in Sicily, Amalfi Coast or Malta. Do not hesitate to ask for info.

Reservation & Payment: a deposit of 30% per person is required at the time of reservation. Final payment of the tour is due 60 days prior to departure.

Book this experience OR ask for a customized proposal info@isolabella.it

Browse all our wine trips in Sicily.

L'articolo Planeta wine journey proviene da Isolabella.it.

6 days- 5 nights

As written by Megan Krigbaum on Food & Wine “Volcanic eruptions, wildly unpredictable weather, steep slopes: Mount Etna is an insane place to produce wine. But its winemakers have an intensity to match its extremes.”
Mt Etna is definitely one of the most exciting wine destination worldwide. No other wine region in Italy is as exciting as Mt. Etna right now.
In just a few years, the number of winemakers on the volcano has doubled. All the important Sicilian producers today are incomplete without an Etna component. That’s why the Mt. Etna wine road had to be part of our selection of wine trips.
Nerello Mascalese is the grape most prized in this area. It is late-ripening (harvested in mid-October) with large clusters, large berries, thin skins and is thought to have arrived from ancient Greece, brought to Italy along the same route followed by the mythical hero Odysseus.
Nerello Cappuccio is another important Etna variety and some experts believe it is genetically linked to Carignan. White wines are made primarily from indigenous Carricante and Catarratto. A growing number of producers are experimenting with international varieties.
This is a unique and exciting wine tour around Mt Etna region to discover its incredible wines, its outstanding vineyards, its modern old-style cellars, its enchanting territory, its impressive people.

HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Etna wine resort, wine dinner at Firriato
Day 2: Benanti, Barone di Villagrande, Cottanera
Day 3: Planeta, Passopisciaro, wine dinner at restaurant with wine pairing
Day 4: Tenute di Fessina, I custody, wine dinner at restaurant with wine pairing
Day 5: Mt Etna excursion, Gambino winery, Taorrmina, farewell dinner at restaurant with wine pairing

 ITINERARY & PROGRAM

Day 1 – Welcome to Sicily! Catania Airport – Etna wine resort
Arrive at Catania Airport, meet & greet with your assistant and private transfer to our wine resort on Mt Etna nestled on a series of terraces covering 11 hectares in one of the most intriguing areas of the volcano, contrada Verzella, where some of the most intriguing wines are produced. A typical manor house restored with colours and layout in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature offering with 11 rooms combining comfort with tradition, all enjoying a view over the vineyards.  These vineyards are ancient, some more than a hundred years old, containing extraordinary plants, which are the expression of an aged-old vineyard producing the best fruit suited to the context of this singular land of excess.
Tonight welcome dinner is at Firriato: the tasting start with a fascinating metodo classic sparkling wine from Nerello Mascalese grapes picked before their natural ripening to continue with wines from the traditional ampelografic heritage of the area. (D)

Day 2 – Etna wine tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for our first day exploring Etna wine visiting two of the pioneers for quality wine production at the foothill of the biggest active volcano in Europe.
Born at the end of 1800’s out of devotion and dedication of family generations, our first stop is Benanti winery whose vineyards are located on the northern, eastern and southern slopes of the volcano where the crus of their white and red wines come from. Here, where ancient fragrances and flavors are meticulously treasured, we focus on the Etna Renaissance and discover Carricante and Nerello Mascalese blends while walking along the vineyard and visiting an old palmento.
Oaks and chestnuts trees woods embrace our next stop: Barone di Villagrande, whose wine belongs to the most-refined aristocracy production. Immersed into a wide amphitheater of terraces and historical vineyards, we initiate a discussion of Etna Contrade and the diversity of wine styles. Enjoy a Sicilian style lunch with wine pairing.
Very close to our resort is Cottanera. On the 65 hectares of vineyards both autochthonous and international varieties are grown. The land is unique and gives rise to an extremely variable ampleographic picture. The Company’s autochthonous red wines are Nerello Mascalese and Cappuccio, traditionally produced around Mt. Etna, alongside with the international Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Mondeuse. The white wines include, the autochthonous Inzolia and Carricante, and the international Viogner. The panoramic view of the vineyards is followed by the visit of the cellar and the barrels, dinner paired with 5 local wines. (B, L, D)

Day 3 – Etna wine tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we focus on exploring the concept of terroir.
We start from Planeta, one of the most outstanding wineries in Sicily, built on a long agricultural tradition handed down since 1500 through 17 generations originally in the area between Sambuca di Sicilia and Menfi. Nowadays, this winery owns six different wine estates all around Sicily, each wine with its specific traits in term of viticulture research and wine making. On Mt Etna this winery has identified three extraordinary sites for a total of 16 hectares and five different wines. This half-day visit leads us to a presentation of wines and project around the island with a full Sicilian lunch.
Next winery is Passopisciaro, the perfect place to focus on the concept of terroir. Covering a wide range of lands at Etna feet, it counts with six domains, different territory with different chemical composition allow the production to be diversified and peculiar for each estate. Contrada Chiappemacine lays between sandstone overhangs. With its vines’ roots having traces of limestone, it produces a full-mouthed perfectly balanced wine. Contrada Montedolce, meaning “sweet mountain”, is characterized by long vineyards fully exposed to sun, permitting the plantation of 2 hectares of Etna Chardonnay. Contrada Rampante is located more than 1000 meters a.s.l and due to the sandy terraces it produces the most aromatic and finest wine. Contrada Guardiola collects the most extensive variety: from ancient Nerello Mascalese vines, cultivated with the typical Sicilian system, to the younger both international and local vines.  
In Contrada Sciaranuova the lava is incredibly soft, kneaded and friable, conferring an intense taste of fermented hay upon the final product.
In Contrada Porcaria the fragile and sharp lava incises the wine with changing aromas and an exotic corp.
Return at the hotel.
Dinner is at a nearby Osteria. In the shadow of Etna, this restaurant is the paradise for extreme winelovers. Here you will sip extremely rare labels, almost hard to find in the rest of Sicily and taste the wild mountain in the served dishes, prepared using seasonal fresh local products. (B, L, D)

Day 4 – Etna wine tour / Randazzo
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, our goal on Mt Etna is learning from peculiar wine projects on the foothill of the volcano.
Terre di Fessina throbbing heart beats at 670 meters above sea level. The vineyards-extending over about seven hectares-, are enclosed by two semicircular, centuries-old lava flows, which protect the vineyards and create a unique microenvironment, just like the walls enclosing the French “clos” do. Fessina shows up “Vertical” wines with marked acidity and a clear-cut aromatic profile. Winegrowing is done by hand, as in the Valtellina region and in the Moselle and Rhine valleys: the vineyards are terraced along steep hillsides which simply requires a “vine-conscious” winegrowing, to do and use only what the vine needs. Their eighteenth century Palmento, authentic heart of the estate, with the huge wine press in use until a decade ago, is a unique moment before lunch time on site.
I Custodi is our next stop. With its name meaning “guardians”, it perfectly expresses its mission. To guard means to preserve the territory, maintain traditions and respect people.
Protect and take care of thousands-year-old vines, cultivated in harmony with the surrounding environment by the traditional “Vigneri”, Etnean wise and expert wine dressers. Tour the vineyard and winery, examining a forward thinking winery using the ancient methods of production, stayed intact over the time.
Tonight dinner is in Randazzo, a nice small town located on the northern foot of the volcano still retaining its 13th century charme. Our restaurant is half between a cosy medieval tavern and an exclusive refined location, it is settled next to the monastery of Saint George. Handmade pasta and genuine seasoning are to taste the real flavor of Etna territory together with Etna wines. (B, L, D)

Day 5 – Mt Etna excursion / Taormina
Breakfast at the hotel. You cannot leave without a proper excursion on Mt Etna, unearthing the wildlife and the raw materials feeding the lands of wines.
Lunch stop at Gambino winery, a rustic style tasting paired with their DOP Etna wines.
Early evening departure to Taormina, named the pearl of Sicily, one of the Sicilian jewel. Situated on the slopes of Mount Tauro Taormina has remained charming, with much of its medieval character intact. The Greek Theatre dating from the 4th century B.C. hugs the edge of a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea with a stunning view over Mt Etna and the bay. Stroll along the main road Corso Umberto to admire several monument like Corvaja Mansion, Palazzo Duca di S. Stefano a masterpiece of Sicilian Gothic Art city residence of the Prince of Castel Mola.
Our farewell dinner is in Taormina at one of the top cosy restaurants in town, for a last immersion into Sicilian food and wines. (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Arrivederci!
Transport to Catania Airport to take your flight. Don’t miss the view from the plane and admire the giant volcano bidding you farewell until your next time in Sicily.

Meal legend: B (breakfast)   L (lunch)   D (dinner)

FEATURES

General info: “An eruption of wines – Mt Etna focus” is an escorted trip. It is available all year round on request. It is designed to create a good comfort and let participants enjoy the experience at best. Accommodation provided is first-class, strategically located. The food is always typically local, with a blend of regional delicacies and top wines. Transportation is top quality.
Your wine guide is qualified, pleasant and with a long experience in the wine sector.
Ben studied Viticulture, Enology, and Wine Theory with the University of California at Davis and hold a Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. After working in the California wine business he moved in Sicily, settling on Mt Etna area.

Please, note that for organizational/logistical reasons we reserve the right to change daily schedule and wineries thus maintaining the high level profile of the tour.

Departures & Prices:
Check our scheduled departure dates and prices for 2017 OR ask for a custom-tailored departure

Flights: we generally recommend that our travellers to arrive one day before the trip starts in order to get their bearings and ease in to the new surroundings.

Travel Services: we would be happy to assist travellers in case of any further services: i.e. pre-post nights in Sicily, Amalfi Coast or Malta. Do not hesitate to ask for info.

Reservation & Payment: a deposit of 30% per person is required at the time of reservation. Final payment of the tour is due 60 days prior to departure.

Book this tour OR ask for a customised proposal info@isolabella.it
Please, feel free to browse all our luxury tours.

L'articolo An eruption of wines, along Mt Etna wine road – 6 days/5 nights proviene da Isolabella.it.