Menfi DOC, Etna DOC, Noto DOC, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Grecanico, Chardonnay, Grillo, Carricante, Nocera, Nerello MascaleseFounded 1994Menfi DOC
One of Sicily's most influential estates, Planeta operates six wineries across the island from Menfi to Etna, Noto and Milazzo, showcasing the diversity of Sicilian terroir through native and international varieties.
Tasting: Three estate cellar doors: Ulmo at Menfi, Buonivini at Noto, and Sciaranuova on Etna. Tasting experiences bookable on the Planeta estate website.
Signature wines: planeta-santa-cecilia, planeta-burdese, planeta-cometa
Contea di Sclafani DOC, Etna DOC, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone, Inzolia, Catarratto, Grillo, GrecanicoFounded 1830Contea di Sclafani DOC
One of Sicily's oldest and most storied family estates, Tasca d'Almerita has farmed the Regaleali plateau since 1830. Their Rosso del Conte, a Nero d'Avola-led flagship, is among the island's most age-worthy reds.
Tasting: Estate visits and tastings at the historic Regaleali property in the heart of Sicily, bookable via the Tasca d'Almerita website.
Signature wines: tasca-dalmerita-rosso-del-conte, tasca-dalmerita-chardonnay, tasca-dalmerita-leone-dalmerita
Contessa Entellina DOC, Marsala DOC, Pantelleria DOC, Etna DOC, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia, Zibibbo, Grecanico, FrappatoFounded 1983Marsala DOC
Donnafugata, founded by the Rallo family in Marsala, has grown into a multi-estate Sicilian producer with vineyards in Contessa Entellina, Pantelleria and Etna, crafting wines from native varieties including the iconic Ben Rye passito.
Tasting: Daily guided tours and tastings at the historic Marsala cantina (10:00-18:00) and at the Contessa Entellina estate. Reservations required.
Signature wines: donnafugata-ben-rye, donnafugata-mille-e-una-notte, donnafugata-tancredi
Marsala DOCGrillo, Catarratto, Inzolia, Nero d'AvolaFounded 1833Marsala DOC
Founded by Vincenzo Florio in 1833, Cantine Florio is the most iconic Marsala house in Sicily. Its historic tuff-stone cellars, with 104 arches and 1,400 barrels, are a landmark of western Sicilian wine history.
Tasting: Guided cellar tours of the historic 165-metre tuff-stone barrel chambers. Over 50,000 visitors annually. Bookable via the Cantine Florio website.
Signature wines: florio-targa-riserva, florio-morsi-di-luce
Marsala DOC, Pantelleria DOCGrillo, Catarratto, Inzolia, Nero d'Avola, ZibibboFounded 1880Marsala DOC
Established in 1880, sixth-generation family-owned Cantine Pellegrino built its reputation on Marsala and Pantelleria passito wines. Its historic Marsala cellars are among the most visited in western Sicily.
Tasting: Wine tourism at the historic Marsala cellars via the Pellegrino Ouverture booking platform. Guided tours, tastings and food pairings.
Signature wines: pellegrino-marsala-superiore-riserva, pellegrino-nes-passito
Marsala DOC, Pantelleria DOCGrillo, ZibibboFounded 1978NaturalMarsala DOC
Marco De Bartoli founded this artisan Marsala house in 1978, working primarily with Grillo to revive traditional un-fortified and minimally fortified styles. The estate at Samperi is the spiritual home of authentic Marsala craft.
Tasting: Guided tours and tastings at the Samperi cellar near Marsala. Weekday visits by appointment. Contact by phone (+39 0923 962093) or email.
Signature wines: de-bartoli-vecchio-samperi, de-bartoli-marsala-superiore-oro, de-bartoli-bukkuram-sole-d-agosto
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Vittoria DOC, Sicilia DOCFrappato, Nero d'Avola, Grillo, VermentinoORGANIC CERTIFIEDCerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Six generations of the Jacono family have farmed these 70 hectares in the Ragusa province. Gaetana Jacono runs the estate, producing organic Frappato and Nero d'Avola that anchor their acclaimed Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG blend.
Tasting: Classic wine tastings, chef-led pairings, cooking courses and vineyard walks at the Acate estate.
Signature wines: valle-acate-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, valle-acate-il-frappato, valle-acate-tane
Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Catarratto, GrilloORGANIC CERTIFIEDSicilia DOC
Fabio Sireci's Feudo Montoni sits in the hills of central Sicily at Cammarata, farming pre-phylloxera Nero d'Avola vines. The Vrucara single-vineyard bottling from ungrafted vines is one of Sicily's most distinctive and sought-after Nero d'Avola expressions.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Cammarata estate in central Sicily. Contact info@feudomontoni.it.
Signature wines: feudo-montoni-vrucara, feudo-montoni-lagnusa, feudo-montoni-grillo-della-timpa
Etna DOC, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grillo, Catarratto, Chardonnay, InzoliaFounded 1978Sicilia DOC
Founded by Salvatore Di Gaetano in 1978, Firriato has grown into one of Sicily's largest and most diverse producers with approximately 490 hectares across seven estates. Their reach spans from the Trapani hills to Etna and the island of Favignana.
Tasting: Guided cellar tours, vineyard visits and tastings at the Baglio Soria resort in Paceco and at Cavanera Etnea on Etna. By appointment.
Signature wines: firriato-camelot, firriato-ribeca, firriato-chiaramonte-nero-davola
Sicilia DOC, Etna DOCNero d'Avola, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nerello Mascalese, Inzolia, Grillo, Chardonnay, FianoFounded 2001Sicilia DOC
Brothers Alberto and Diego Cusumano founded their estate in 2001 at Partinico with five estate vineyards and more than 500 hectares. The Sagana single-vineyard Nero d'Avola from Riesi and Alta Mora Etna range mark their quality poles.
Tasting: Wine tastings and direct sales at the Partinico winery. Contact info@cusumano.it or call +39 091 8908713.
Signature wines: cusumano-sagana, cusumano-benuara, alta-mora-etna-rosso
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Frappato, Grillo, SyrahCerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Feudi del Pisciotto is an 18th-century restored manor on the edge of the Sughereta di Niscemi Nature Reserve producing wines in the Val di Noto. It is also a Wine Relais hotel with restaurant, combining Sicilian wine culture with upscale rural hospitality.
Tasting: Wine Relais with boutique hotel, restaurant and wine experiences at the restored 18th-century manor in the Val di Noto.
Signature wines: feudi-pisciotto-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, feudi-pisciotto-versace-nero-davola
Noto DOC, Eloro DOC, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Syrah, Frappato, GrilloNoto DOC
The Mazzei family of Tuscany established Zisola near Noto in 2003, planting 50 hectares with Nero d'Avola and Syrah. The estate overlooks the Baroque town of Noto and produces wines that blend Tuscan winemaking precision with Sicilian terroir.
Tasting: Wine tours and tastings at the Noto estate. Reserve via enoteca@zisola.it or call +39 0931 839288.
Signature wines: zisola-doppiozeta, zisola-zisola, zisola-mofete
Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nerello Mascalese, Grillo, Inzolia, CatarrattoFounded 2000ORGANIC CERTIFIEDSicilia DOC
Founded in 2000 by the Bonetta family near Agrigento, Baglio del Cristo di Campobello farms 50 hectares on calcareous chalky soils 8 kilometres from the sea. Their Adennzia white and Lu Patri red have earned international recognition for quality Sicilian DOC wines.
Tasting: Winery visits and tastings at the Campobello di Licata estate. Contact via the estate website.
Signature wines: baglio-cristo-adenzia, baglio-cristo-lu-patri
Menfi DOC, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia, Chardonnay, Grecanico, FianoFounded 1958Menfi DOC
Cantine Settesoli is the cooperative giant of Menfi DOC, founded in 1958, with Mandrarossa as its premium terroir-selection brand launched in 1999. Over 2,000 grower-members supply grapes from more than 6,000 hectares, making this the largest wine operation in Sicily.
Tasting: Tuesday to Saturday 09:30 to 18:00. Guided cellar visits and wine tastings. Reservations required.
Signature wines: mandrarossa-terre-di-giumara, mandrarossa-timperosse, mandrarossa-nero-davola
Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Catarratto, Inzolia, Grillo, Pinot Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, MerlotFounded 1825ORGANIC CERTIFIEDFaro DOC
A historic organic estate spanning 217 hectares founded in 1825 at Librizzi in the Messina province, set on the Nebrodi slopes with views to the Aeolian Islands. Tenuta Gatti cultivates an unusually diverse mix of native and international varieties.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the historic Nebrodi estate with views toward the Aeolian Islands. Contact via winetourism.com.
Signature wines: tenuta-gatti-pinot-nero, tenuta-gatti-nero-davola
Marsala DOC, Alcamo DOC, Pantelleria DOCGrillo, Catarratto, Inzolia, Nero d'Avola, ZibibboFounded 1860Marsala DOC
Founded in 1860 by Diego Rallo, one of Marsala's oldest historic families. The Vesco family acquired the estate in 1996, integrating vineyards in Alcamo and Pantelleria with the historic Marsala cellars. Today the estate operates across western Sicily's key appellations.
Tasting: Historic Marsala cellar visits and tastings. Contact via the Rallo website.
Signature wines: rallo-marsala-superiore, rallo-alcamo-bianco
Mamertino DOC, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Nocera, Nerello Mascalese, Grillo, CatarrattoMamertino DOC
Cantine Milazzo is one of the few producers working seriously within the rare Mamertino DOC, an appellation near Milazzo in the Messina province with roots in ancient Roman viniculture. Their Nocera-blended reds reflect this underexplored north-east terroir.
Tasting: Winery visits and tastings at the Milazzo estate near the Tyrrhenian coast. Contact via the winery.
Signature wines: milazzo-mamertino-rosso, milazzo-nero-davola
Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Catarratto, Grillo, Inzolia, PerriconeFounded 1824Sicilia DOC
Founded in 1824 by the Duke of Salaparuta, Duca di Salaparuta (Corvo) is one of Sicily's oldest commercial wine estates. Their Duca Enrico is a landmark 100% Nero d'Avola and the Bianca di Valguarnera a prestigious Inzolia white. Now owned by Illva Saronno.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the historic Casteldaccia winery. Contact via the Duca di Salaparuta website.
Signature wines: duca-di-salaparuta-bianca-di-valguarnera, duca-enrico
Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Catarratto, Chardonnay, GrilloFounded 1968Sicilia DOC
Tenuta Rapitala at Camporeale in the Palermo province was established by a Franco-Sicilian partnership in 1968. The estate produces a broad range of Sicilian varietal and blended wines across 170 hectares, with the Grand Cru their prestigious top bottling.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Camporeale estate. Contact via the Rapitala website.
Signature wines: rapitala-grand-cru, rapitala-hugonis
Alcamo DOC, Sicilia DOCNero d'Avola, Catarratto, Grillo, InzoliaORGANIC CERTIFIEDAlcamo DOC
Abele Ajello is a small organic producer in the Belice Valley near Castelvetrano, working with Catarratto and Nero d'Avola in the western Sicilian interior.
Tasting: Visits by appointment in the Belice Valley near Castelvetrano. Contact via the winery.
Signature wines: ajello-osa, ajello-tajuni-catarratto
Grillo, Catarratto, InzoliaAppointment onlyMarsala
Historic 1833 tufa-stone cellars on the Marsala seafront housing 3,000-plus oak barrels; guided tours cover Marsala history and production secrets.
Tip: Book at least a week ahead in summer; tours run in Italian, English and French.
Grillo, ZibibboAppointment onlySamperi, Marsala
Off-the-beaten-track Marsala estate 14 km from town where the pre-British Marsala tradition of Vecchio Samperi is kept alive; 90-minute cellar tour in English, French or Spanish.
Tip: Closed weekends and mid-August; GPS coordinates (37.735630, 12.539073) beat the postal address.
Grillo, Catarratto, ZibibboAppointment onlyMarsala
Seven-generation family winery since 1880 with over 1,000 vats and barrels in the historic cellars; tour includes Punic-era archaeological finds, a Sicilian cart museum and a master cooper workshop.
Tip: Ask for the Ouverture tasting room with panoramic views of the Egadi Islands.
Nero d'Avola, Syrah, Grillo, ViognierAppointment onlySanta Cristina Gela, Palermo hills
Organic estate a few kilometres south of Palermo in an ancient family baglio; private introductory wine courses and guided tastings across highland, Noto and Etna terroirs.
Tip: Their organic certification spans all vineyard sites; sustainable agriculture is central to the tour narrative.
Sicilia DOC / Terre Siciliane IGTCatarratto, Nero d'Avola, Perricone, GrilloFounded 1998ORGANIC CERTIFIEDCamporeale, Palermo province
Small organic cooperative in Camporeale working with small-plot farmers on native Sicilian varieties. Among the most authentic affordable organics on the island.
Tip: Look for Valdibella wines at natural wine shops in Palermo and Trapani before they disappear into export channels. The Catarratto is one of the most overlooked native whites on the island.
Sicilia DOCCatarratto, Inzolia, Grecanico, GrilloEUR 12-15 retail
The flagship entry-level white from the Regaleali estate in the Sicilian interior. A blend of native white varieties with fresh citrus, white almond and floral character. Drink within two years of vintage for its freshest expression.
Tip: Regaleali Bianco is one of the most reliably fresh and well-made Sicilian whites at entry-level pricing. Look for it at any decent Italian enoteca under EUR 14.
Sicilia DOCGrilloEUR 14-18 retail
Single-varietal Grillo from the Feudi del Pisciotto estate in the Niscemi area of central-south Sicily. Broad citrus peel, salted almond and a briny mineral finish characteristic of inland Grillo planted far from the sea. Well-priced for the variety and the estate's profile.
Tip: Grillo in this area of Sicily has a distinct textured character different from the lighter coastal examples; pair with pasta alla Norma or grilled aubergine.