Visiting wineries in Sicily is to sip on expressive wines shaped by the indelible marks left over from conquerors over millennia. Sicily’s ideal climate with 300 days of sunshine, fertile soils, and strategic position on the Mediterrenean sea made it an appealing island.
In this land of ancient vines, new generations of winemakers are making high quality wines and some of the best in Italy. Today, Sicily is Italy’s fourth-largest wine region, representing about 15% of the country’s total vineyard land.
Here are our favorite top 5 wineries in Sicily to visit:
Winery in Marsala: Donnafugata Winery – One of Italy’s Finest Wineries
Convenient to get to in the center of Marsala is one of the most famous Sicilian wineries. Donnafugata, a family-owned winery is considered one of Italy’s finest wineries.
The winery has five different wine estates across Sicily each producing distinctive wines from indigenous and international grape varieties.
Marsala is home to the family’s historic cellars where aging and bottling take place. A visit to the underground cellar carved into the rocks is an experience you’ll enjoy on your visit.
In Sicily, you’ll not miss Donnafugata’s distinctive and artistic wine labels. The name, Donnafugata means “woman in flight”. And, it refers to a story by a Sicilian novelist about a queen who found refuge in the area where the vineyards are located.
With several vineyards across Sicily, the Donnafugata label is associated with an extensive range of wines, that reflect the uniqueness of Sicily and the climate and grapes in the different regions.
Winery in Palermo: Alessandro di Camporeale Winery – Refined And Balanced Wines
A family winery, Alessandro di Camporeale was born from generations of passionate winemakers since the 1900s. With each new generation, the always improving wine production approach ensures some of the most refined and balanced Sicily wines.
Located about 50 minutes away from Palermo, the charming winery overlooks the Mandranova plain.
Paying respect to the traditional principles of winemaking, all the work in the vineyard is done by hand. The winery uses organic farming principles and modern technology in the refinement and maturation of the wines. The principal grapes are the native Sicilian grape varieties like Nero d’Avola, Catarratto, and Grillo.
International grapes like Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc are grown and adapted for the Camporeale area.
If you are visiting the Palermo area, learn about the history and tradition of winemaking at Alessandro di Camporeale winery. A visit to this winery in Sicily is an unmissable experience for any wine lover.
Winery in Catania: Benanti Winery – Pioneer Etna Wine Making
Benanti is one of the most celebrated Sicilian wineries in the Etna wine region. It’s family-owned and committed to absolute excellence in viticulture and winemaking. Mount Etna has been home to viticulture for thousands of years, and winemaking traditions go back centuries.
Benati winery leans onto those traditions. Working with indigenous grape varieties and modernized wine production techniques, the winery has shaped Sicily wine-making on Etna.
This is the only winery with vineyards on all slopes of Mount Etna. And the grapes growing on each slope are carefully selected and matched to the environment to produce elegant wines. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio are two of the winery’s flagship red wines made from indigenous grapes.
Benanti is one of the popular wineries in Sicily to visit for an exceptional and delicious experience amongst wine lovers and those in wine tourism.
Winery in Agrigento: Planeta Winery – Planeta Ulmo Agrigento
Rated number 17 amongst the “50 World’s most admired Wine Brands 2021”, Planeta is one of the best wineries in Sicily and in Italy overall.
Planeta has six distinctive wine brands and estates from west to east on Italy’s largest island. Planeta Ulmo in Menfi, Agrigento was the first winery. Planeta Buonivini located in Noto is best known for Nero d’Avola and Moscato wines.
In Vitottoria, Frappato and Nero d’Avola are the Planeta star wines. And, other Planeta wine territories can be found around Etna and Capo Milazzo in the northeast. In Menfi, in the Province of Agrigento, you want to visit Planeta Ulmo on the banks of Lake Arancio.
It is the company’s first winery and the start of the company’s wine revolution. Planeta has experimented and revitalized native grape varieties as well as introduced international ones along the coast of Menfi. In addition to the winery, Planeta also offers accommodations at La Foresteria, a wine resort in the countryside near Menfi.
Winery in Syracuse: Riofavara Winery – Eco-Friendly Experience of Sicily Wines
Another winery in Sicily located in the Val di Noto region, near the hill town of Ispica is Riofavara Winery.
This Sicilian gemstone dates back to the 1920s and is known for its explicitly quality wines made with native Sicilian grapes. Natural and organic principles are followed in each step of the winemaking process. From hand-picked grapes to aging the wines, eco-sustainability efforts are central.
The wines produced are all native grape varieties, and the star variety is the local Nero d’Avola red grape. Alongside, Nero d’Avola, the local white wines like Moscato Bianco, Grecanico, Grillo, and Inzolia are well rated. Aside from the vast palette of red, white, rose, spirits, sparkling, and fortified wines, Riofavara Winery also offers accommodations for a romantic experience.
It’s difficult to generalize about Sicily wines as the vineyards are spread out over varying altitudes, soils, and climate. What is noticed at each winery is the commitment to excellence and passion to create the best possible Sicily wines.
Leveraging traditions of wine making combined with modern technology, Sicily winemakers are making exceptional wines with native grapes.
Visiting wineries in the different wine regions of Sicily is an experience not to be missed. Savor the Adventure!