Frappato in Sicily

Donnafugata ★ 4.7

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 signature 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

COS ★ 4.9

Founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti, COS adopted biodynamic farming and amphora (pithos) fermentation in Sicily from the 1990s.

Tasting: Winery visits by reservation only. Contact via the COS website or telephone (+39 0932 876145).

Signature wines: COS Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG, Cos Pithos Rosso, COS Rami

Arianna Occhipinti ★ 4.9

Arianna Occhipinti started with one hectare along the SP68 road in 2004 and has grown to 40 hectares farmed organically and biodynamically. Her SP68 Rosso blends Frappato and Nero d'Avola from low-yielding organic plots and is distributed widely through specialist natural-wine importers.

Tasting: Visits by reservation year-round, mornings or afternoons. Vineyard walk, cellar tour and wine and oil tasting with olives and bruschetta. Languages: Italian, English, French. Contact +39 0932 1865519.

Signature wines: Occhipinti SP68 Rosso, Occhipinti SP68 Bianco, Occhipinti Siccagno

Valle dell'Acate ★ 4.6

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 dell'Acate Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG, Valle dell'Acate Il Frappato, Valle dell'Acate Tane

Feudi del Pisciotto ★ 4.5

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.

Tasting: Wine Relais with boutique hotel, restaurant and wine experiences at the restored 18th-century manor in the Val di Noto.

Signature wines: Feudi del Pisciotto Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Feudi del Pisciotto Versace Nero d'Avola

Zisola (Mazzei) ★ 4.5

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 [email protected] or call +39 0931 839288.

Signature wines: Zisola Doppiozeta, Zisola, Zisola Mofete

Tenute Nicosia ★ 4.4

Tenute Nicosia operates vineyards on Etna and in Vittoria, producing organic wines across a broad range including Etna DOC and Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. Their Trecastagni winery on the south-east slope of Etna is a key wine-tourism destination.

Tasting: Guided tours and tastings by reservation at the Trecastagni winery. Multiple tasting packages including Contrade dell'Etna. Contact [email protected].

Signature wines: Tenute Nicosia Fondo Filara Etna Rosso, Tenute Nicosia Etna Bianco, Tenute Nicosia Monte Gorna

COS Pithos (amphora wines) ★ 4.8

COS Pithos wines are fermented and aged in terracotta amphorae, reviving pre-industrial Sicilian vinification techniques. The Pithos Bianco from Grecanico is fermented on skins and the Pithos Rosso from Nero d'Avola was introduced around 2000.

Tasting: Amphora wines tasted alongside DOCG range at the COS estate. By reservation.

Signature wines: COS Pithos Bianco, COS Pithos Rosso

Planeta Dorilli (Vittoria) ★ 4.5

Planeta's Vittoria estate in the Dorilli contrada produces Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, the only DOCG in Sicily, blending Nero d'Avola and Frappato. The estate has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Vittoria appellation.

Tasting: Tastings at the Vittoria estate bookable via the Planeta estate site.

Signature wines: Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Gulfi ★ 4.8

Organic Nero d'Avola specialist in Chiaramonte Gulfi, producing single-vineyard cru bottlings from altitude plantings that show the variety's full age-worthy complexity.

Tip: The single-vineyard Nero d'Avola range is a lesson in what altitude and vineyard aspect can do to the variety. The Nerojbleo is the entry-tier cuvée.

Valle dell'Acate ★ 4.6

Certified-organic estate in Acate producing Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and a single-varietal Il Frappato di Vittoria from organic farming.

Tip: The single-varietal Il Frappato di Vittoria is Valle dell'Acate's calling card and an elegant varietal Frappato in the DOCG zone. Available at quality wine shops across Italy.

Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG ★ 4.4

Planeta's Cerasuolo di Vittoria from their Vittoria estate, blending Nero d'Avola with Frappato in the DOCG's classic ratio. Red cherry, pomegranate and violet; lighter and more elegant than pure Nero d'Avola bottlings.

Tip: Sicily's only DOCG blend at under EUR 20 represents exceptional value for the appellation tier. Serve slightly cool at 16 C with grilled swordfish or arancini.

COS Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT ★ 4.6

COS's entry-level varietal Frappato from organic farming in Vittoria, fermented in amphora and concrete with native yeasts. Sour cherry, hibiscus and white pepper, light-bodied and best served cool.

Tip: The COS Frappato is as close as Sicily gets to light-bodied Beaujolais in weight and style. Ideal for warm evenings with cured meats and caciocavallo.