VINES AND VISTAS

Enjoy visits to two prestigious Etna wineries on this grape escape from Taormina. Guests will sip fine wine, feast on a delicious meal and learn all about wine making in this splendid, though geologically precarious corner of Sicily.

In ancient times both the Greeks and the Romans chose to settle here because of the fertile farming land that resulted from volcanic lava and also for the singular beauty of this site. Perceived both as a constant threat by eastern Sicily’s inhabitants and, at the same time, as the very source of their livelihood, Mount Etna has deeply shaped the island’s history, 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, a mine of plentiful building materials and the benefit of mineral-rich soil that has rewarded the islanders with outstanding wines.

Meet your private chauffeur at your accommodation in Taormina and drive to a family-owned estate known for its first-rate wines and olive oil. The property is located on a hilltop, 550 metres above sea level, within the wonderful setting of the Etna Nature Park. Sixty hectares of vineyards spread across the foothills of the volcano and are cultivated with native varieties of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante and Catarratto. On a guided tour of the cellar led by a qualified member of staff, guests will get to know about wine growing and ageing techniques and discover how this distinctive terroir and microclimate affect the flavour of their red and white wines. A guided tasting will allow you to savour the fruits of this special territory.

Later, rejoin your driver and reach the second winery. Nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, this estate is one of the most highly esteemed on the island. It was established by a trend-setting entrepreneur who decided to turn 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 indigenous grapes 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 in Taormina.