EARTH, FIRE AND WINE

Explore the spectacular slopes of Mount Etna on an action-packed off-road adventure. Rising 3,320 metres above sea level, the tallest active volcano in Europe derives its name from the Greek term aithō, meaning “I burn”. It is here that the Greek god of fire and blacksmith Hephaestus was believed to have set up a foundry with his co-worker Cyclops, causing volcanic eruptions as he forged his metal tools. Other ancient legends claim that the giant Typhon lies beneath Mount Etna, making the earth tremble when he moves.

Perceived both as a constant threat by eastern Sicily’s inhabitants and, at the same time, as the very source of their livelihood, the volcano has deeply shaped the myths that have grown up around the island, its architecture and culture, and continues to impact life here even today. Devastating catastrophes have indeed caused death and destruction. But the volcano has also provided the conditions for a unique and varied vegetation, the benefit of fertile mineral-rich soil as well as a mine of plentiful building materials which has earned the city of Catania its World Heritage status.

Meet your private guide at your accommodation and hop on to your chauffeured jeep for a riveting ride up the slopes of mighty Mount Etna. Your vehicle will stop several times along the way so you may take in the volcano’s most striking features and enjoy a hike to the top of an extinct crater. You will drive through centuries-old forests, walk across fields strewn with the rocks stirred up by ancient eruptions and admire the amazing views of Mount Etna’s lunar-like landscape. Equipped with helmets and lamps you will also take a peek inside one of the volcanic caves that were created hundreds of years ago by molten lava flows. Your guide will enrich your experience by recounting the history of the volcano and the way of life of those who settled in its shadow, from the earliest recorded 475 BC eruption, through the calamitous 1669 outburst, up to the most recent volcanic activity.

Now, it’s time to head for a winery to savour the fruits of this special terroir. Nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, this estate is one of the most highly esteemed on the island. The winery was established by a trend-setting entrepreneur who decided to transform his passion for wine and reverence for this bountiful but unpredictable territory into a challenging venture. The founder’s family had been involved in wine making for several generations, ever since 1734, when King Victor Amadeus II presented his ancestors with a piece of land as a reward for their loyalty. However, until 1988, when the current owner founded the company, wine was largely produced for private consumption. The new management aimed to create quality wines for a wider market and to make the most of the extraordinary potential of Mount Etna’s soil. Here native Etnean grape varieties of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante and Minnella blend in exquisite wines which have received many an accolade and worldwide recognition.

Sit down to a traditional Sicilian lunch made with prime quality ingredients and paired with a selection of the estate’s wines, then rejoin your driver and return to your accommodation.