There are endless places of incredible charm and so many wineries to visit, tasting opportunities, and private, customized wine tours all over Sicily, if you decide to join my Bespoke Wine Tour Sicily. But today I thought I would share with you the proposal for DIY travelers. I share some of the places and routes that always excite me and are close to my heart, but keep in mind that this is just a tiny glimpse and taste of what awaits you once you arrive in Sicily!
I propose to begin this food and wine journey by discovering a part of eastern Sicily, from one of the most imposing and fascinating places in the area – the volcano Etna, respectfully called ‘a Muntagna’ and its characteristic villages, built out of lava rock, such as Randazzo, Castiglione di Sicilia, Linguaglossa, Milo, Zafferana Etnea. Continuing with the shortstop in Catania, a city with a volcanic, lively, and welcoming character. To move to the discovery of the province of Syracuse, famous for the Sicilian Barrocco, until arriving at the splendid localities of the province of Ragusa, where between the blue of the sea, the beige of the dry stone walls and the green of the countryside, you will lose your heart.
Recommended wineries: Vigneti Vecchio, Valcerasa, and Nuzzella – Wine and Volcano, a natural pairing, almost inevitable!
Unmissable lunch or dinner at Ristorante San Giorgio e il Drago in Randazzo, the owner’s welcome and his mom’s dishes are special, and with the extensive wine list, you’ll feel even more pampered. For an easy but tasty aperitif – the wine spot Il Buongustaio dell’Etna, where Pippo will surprise you with his well-stocked cellar with a focus on Etna wines and the goodness of an easy sandwich! Instead for those of you who have a sweet tooth – Pasticceria Santo Musumeci, get advice from Giovanna, the Sicilian Queen of granita and ice cream!
Overnight stay: Dimora Cottanera, Castiglione di Sicilia or Casa Arrigo, Linguaglossa.
Day 2 - Etna East
Recommended wineries: Giuseppe Lazzaro, I Vignieri di Salvo Foti and Tre.Mi.La Etna Wines by Gloria di Paola
After a rejuvenating morning spent trekking on Mount Etna surrounded by lunar landscapes, head to Milo, one of the most enchanting villages located at a height of about 800 meters above sea level. Be enchanted by its Piazza Belvedere Giovanni d’Aragona with a splendid view of the entire Ionian coast. Head to the wineries to learn about the artisanal and heroic way of making wine, as Milo is one of the places most affected by every eruption of Mount Etna.
Don’t miss dinner or lunch at Quattro Archi Di Grasso Rosario – an osteria known for Etna’s best wine list and Slow Food-focused menu with excellent raw material that enhances the territory.
Overnight stay: Tenuta San Michele Agriturismo, Santa Venerina or Quinto Arco, Zafferana Etnea.
Day 3 - Etna Southeast and Catania
Recommended wineries: Ciro Biondi and Terra Costantino
After the winery visits, the mandatory stop in Catania with its wonderful monuments and the Piazza del Duomo, the beating heart of the city.
Have lunch at one of the typical trattorias located in the fish market, a very characteristic experience!
Aperitif at Vermut Salumeria, Enoteca, Vermouth Bar is a lively place that conveys conviviality, focusing on natural wines.
Overnight: Habitat Boutique Hotel, Catania, and dinner at Materia Spazio Cucina with the talented Chef Bianca Celano in charge, to discover a Sicily free of all stereotypes.
Day 4 - Syracuse
Recommended winery: Fausta Mansio
Places not to be missed are Neapolis Archaeological Park and the island of Ortigia, with the grandeur of the Cathedral, the sumptuous charm of the noble palaces, and picturesque scenery everywhere.
Make sure to stop at Enoteca Solaria for more excellent vino among the seaside promenades and the maze of narrow streets. For lunch or dinner, I recommend Divino Mare, a wine bistro that conveys an informal atmosphere, where Sicilianity and the incessant search for small excellences of the territory are the watchwords.
Overnight stay: Palazzo Artemide or Hotel Gutkowski, Syracuse.
Day 5 - Noto and surroundings
Recommended wineries: Francesca Curto, Mortellito and Marabino.
If you have time left between wineries, pay a visit to Marzamemi, a small fishing village with an old tuna fishery at its center. Very characteristic!
Visit Noto – the undisputed capital of Sicilian Baroque, with the inevitable stop at world-known Caffè Sicilia for granite tasting… Lunch at Viva il Bistrot, with its convivial, artistic, and elegant ambiance, offers the express cuisine with a focus on Sicilian essence and an excellent choice of wines and local spirits.
For discerning palates, I recommend dinner at Crocifisso Restaurant, where the research dispassionate, quality raw material, and authenticity of flavors remain the focus of every choice.
Overnight stay: Villadorata Seven Rooms, Noto
Day 6 - Marina di Ragusa and Scicli
Treat yourself to a day at the beach if you need a break from winery visits, but no worries, there will be no shortage of wine!
Lunch at Vossia il Mare. The tantalizing wine list, delicious fish crudes, and the kindness of the staff, what else!?
Dinner at Prosit Bistrot – a well-stocked wine bar in Scicli. A truly unique place where you can discover and fall in love with the combination of genuine character wine and cuisine. Also not to be missed: Pan DiviNo – the bakery in Scicli, where you will find the most authentic scacce typical of the area.
Overnight stay: choose one of Scicli’s characteristic Dammusi.
Day 7 - Vittoria and Chiaramonte Gulfi
Recommended wineries: COS, Occhipinti, Kalma, and VINB.
Alternating between visits to the wineries and ending the week on a high note, enjoy a few days at Baglio Occhipinti, a place of charm, peace, and well-being, nestled in the magnificent Ragusan countryside. A complete experience, accompanied by a selection of the natural wines and products of the territory. And, of course, a visit to the mesmerizing city of Ragusa is due!
Overnight stay: Baglio Occhipinti
