Volcanic Aeolian Islands estate producing unique fortified and passito-style wines from ancient alberello Malvasia delle Lipari and Corinto Nero vines; sunset vineyard picnics with cellar visits.
Tip: The Malvasia Passito poured at sunset with panoramic sea views is one of Sicily's most atmospheric wine moments.
Address: Via Caolino s.n.c., 98055 Lipari (ME), Sicily
Donnafugata's Pantelleria estate producing the benchmark Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC from UNESCO-heritage Zibibbo alberello vines; fortified-wine-style visits with views of the sea and century-old vineyard.
Tip: Open May-September; the Ben Ryé sotto le stelle evening experience at EUR 70 is the premium expression.
Seasonal Pantelleria cellar producing the revered Bukkuram Passito di Pantelleria DOC; guided tours by reservation in summer covering Zibibbo sun-drying and the Bukkuram solera-method cellaring.
Tip: The Bukkuram cellar is open spring-summer only; contact info@marcodebartoli.com to reserve.
Italy's most celebrated Marsala producer since 1833; tufa-stone cellars with 3,000-plus oak barrels; guided cellar tours are essentially a living fortified-wine museum attracting 50,000-plus visitors annually.
Tip: The 35-EUR guided tour includes the history of the Florio dynasty, cellar access and a tasting flight.
Seven-generation family winery since 1880 with over 1,000 vats and barrels in historic cellars; tours reveal Punic archaeological finds, a Sicilian cart museum, master cooper workshop and plaster casts of a Punic ship.
Tip: The Ouverture tasting room has views of the Egadi Islands; request the Vergine Riserva in the guided flight.
1851 industrial-archaeology baglio cellars with underground barrique room; the cellar architecture has been compared to Istanbul's Basilica Cistern; guided tours covering Marsala production and the estate's five Sicilian territories.
Tip: The underground barrique cellar is the architectural highlight; the Iconic Wine Library experience at EUR 55 is worth the premium.
The iconic revival cellar for pre-British Marsala tradition; Vecchio Samperi is produced by solera-style decanting from multiple vintages without fortification; a benchmark for authentic historical Marsala technique.
Tip: The cellar that saved traditional Marsala; book well ahead as group size is limited to 25.
