36 editor-picked estates growing Nerello Mascalese in Sicily.
Where to taste Nerello Mascalese in Sicily: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.
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
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
One of Etna's pioneering estates, Benanti has been producing wine on the volcanic slopes since 1734. Their single-contrada whites from Milo are benchmarks for Etna Bianco Superiore, and their Nerello reds helped launch the modern Etna renaissance.
Tasting: Tuesday through Sunday by reservation. Three tasting programmes including Get to Know Etna, Contrade Selection and Library Vintages. Tours of the historic palmento and vineyard.
Signature wines: benanti-pietramarina, benanti-rovittello, benanti-serra-della-contessa
Founded in 2002 by Marc de Grazia on Etna's north slope at Randazzo, Tenuta delle Terre Nere was instrumental in establishing the single-contrada bottlings that made Etna internationally famous. Old-vine Nerello from plots like Calderara Sottana and Guardiola set the benchmark.
Tasting: By appointment, Monday to Friday. Contact via visite@tenutaterrenere.com.
Signature wines: terre-nere-calderara-sottana, terre-nere-guardiola, terre-nere-feudo-di-mezzo
Founded in 2000 by the late Andrea Franchetti at approximately 1,000 metres on Etna's north slope, Passopisciaro produces site-expressive single-contrada Nerello reds including the rare Franchetti red from the high-altitude Solicchiata plots.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Passopisciaro estate. Contact via the Vini Franchetti website.
Signature wines: passopisciaro-franchetti, passopisciaro-passorosso, passopisciaro-passobianco
Alberto Aiello Graci has been farming old-vine Nerello Mascalese and Carricante on Etna's north slope since 2004, producing single-contrada wines including the benchmark Arcuria Etna Rosso from 52 acres of ungrafted vines.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Passopisciaro estate. Contact via info@graci.eu.
Signature wines: graci-arcuria, graci-barbabecchi, graci-etna-bianco
Founded in 2005 by Michele Faro at Solicchiata on Etna's north slope, Pietradolce works with old-vine Nerello Mascalese and Carricante across several contrade, producing one of the island's most age-worthy single-vineyard Biancos in the Archineri.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Solicchiata winery on Etna's north slope. Contact via the Pietradolce website.
Signature wines: pietradolce-archineri, pietradolce-etna-rosso, pietradolce-barbagalli
Giuseppe Russo took over the family's old Nerello Mascalese vineyards in 2005 after his father Girolamo died. Fifteen hectares of organically farmed vines between 650 and 780 metres on Etna's north slope produce sought-after single-vineyard reds including San Lorenzo and a Rina.
Tasting: Vineyard visits and tastings with local cold cuts, cheeses and homemade bread. Contact info@girolamorusso.it or call 0942 983142.
Signature wines: russo-san-lorenzo, russo-a-rina, russo-feudo
Founded in 1900, Calabretta is one of Etna's oldest family wineries. The fourth generation farms 12.5 hectares of ungrafted old vines with copper and sulphur only, producing low-intervention wines from Nerello Mascalese that rank among the most authentic expressions of the north slope.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Randazzo estate. Contact via calabretta.net.
Signature wines: calabretta-gaio-gaio, calabretta-etna-rosso, calabretta-vigne-vecchie
Cottanera is a family estate on Etna's north slope producing both native Nerello-based Etna DOC wines and international varieties grown at high altitude. The boutique agriturismo Dimora Cottanera makes it a wine-tourism anchor on the Alcantara Valley rim.
Tasting: Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 17:00, booking essential. Guided vineyard, cellar and tasting experiences.
Signature wines: cottanera-barbazzale-bianco, cottanera-fatagione, cottanera-calderara
A historic estate on Etna's eastern slopes, Murgo introduced Sicily's most acclaimed traditional-method sparkling wine in 1990 using Nerello Mascalese. The 30-hectare property has been in the Scammacca del Murgo family since 1860.
Tasting: Wine tastings available Monday to Saturday 11:30 to 14:00. Restaurant and accommodation on site.
Signature wines: murgo-brut-metodo-classico, murgo-etna-rosso, murgo-etna-bianco
Belgian natural-wine pioneer Frank Cornelissen established his estate on Etna's north slope in 2001, working without sulphur at all. His Magma cuvee from ungrafted pre-phylloxera Nerello vines above 1,000 metres is among Sicily's most sought-after cult wines.
Tasting: Five tasting experiences from the Classic (5 wines, EU40) to the Magma private (6 crus including Grand Vin Magma, EU1,400 for up to 6 people). E-bike vineyard tours available. Book via pr@frankcornelissen.it.
Signature wines: cornelissen-magma, cornelissen-munjebel-rosso, cornelissen-munjebel-bianco
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
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
Silvia Maestrelli's Tenuta di Fessina in Rovittello at 670 metres on Etna's north slope offers one of the island's most accessible high-quality tasting experiences. The organic estate produces refined Nerello Mascalese and Carricante across its Etna DOC range.
Tasting: Open every day including holidays. Tasting reception at 10:30, 13:30 and 15:30. Contact fessina@tenutadifessina.com or call +39 345 7230176.
Signature wines: fessina-erse, fessina-musmeci, fessina-a-puddara
Founded in 2011 by Mimmo and Valeria Costanzo, Palmento Costanzo farms approximately ten hectares organically on Etna's north slope in Contrada Santo Spirito. They produce contrada-specific wines with manual cultivation and a fully organic approach.
Tasting: Visite e Degustazioni bookable via the estate website. Contact info@palmentocostanzo.com or call +39 0942 983239.
Signature wines: palmento-costanzo-mofete-bianco, palmento-costanzo-mofete-rosso, palmento-costanzo-di-me
The Tornatore family has farmed on Etna since 1865, with a large single-vineyard block in the Castiglione di Sicilia hills. Their estate is often cited as Etna DOC's largest single property, producing a full range of DOC wines from Nerello and Carricante.
Tasting: Guided tours and tastings at the estate, described as the largest single vineyard in Etna DOC. Contact +39 337 1087964.
Signature wines: tornatore-etna-bianco, tornatore-etna-rosso, tornatore-trimarchisa
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 info@cantinenicosia.it.
Signature wines: nicosia-etna-rosso-fondo-filara, nicosia-etna-bianco, nicosia-monte-gorna
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
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
Tasca d'Almerita's Etna estate in Castiglione di Sicilia, established around 2010, produces contrada-expressive Nerello Mascalese reds and Carricante whites within the Etna DOC. Ghiaia Nera is the benchmark cuvee of the estate.
Tasting: Visits bookable via the Tasca d'Almerita website. Estate is located in Contrada Rampante on Etna's north slope.
Signature wines: tascante-ghiaia-nera, tascante-il-picciolo
Planeta's Etna estate in Solicchiata, established in 2008, produces Nerello Mascalese and Carricante within the Etna DOC. The Sciaranuova winery is one of the island's most architecturally striking cellar doors.
Tasting: Tasting experience at the Sciaranuova winery. Bookable via the Planeta estate website.
Signature wines: planeta-nerello-etna, planeta-carricante-etna
Cusumano's Etna label Alta Mora is produced from the Verzella contrada on the north slope of Etna. The range focuses on Nerello Mascalese for reds and Carricante for whites, with contrada bottlings among the island's most accessible Etna expressions.
Tasting: Etna estate tastings bookable via the Cusumano website.
Signature wines: alta-mora-etna-rosso, alta-mora-etna-bianco
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
Firriato's Etna estate in the Verzella contrada includes the Cavanera resort, one of the most complete wine-tourism experiences on Etna, with accommodation, restaurant, cellar visits and the Gaudensius traditional-method sparkling wine from Nerello Mascalese.
Tasting: Wine resort and restaurant on Etna's north slope. Visits and stays bookable via Firriato.
Signature wines: firriato-gaudensius-etna-brut, firriato-cavanera-ripa-di-moraci
The Pietrarizzo contrada on the north slope of Etna at 800 metres produces Benanti's most mineral and savoury Nerello Mascalese. The Benanti family has farmed this plot since the 18th century, making it one of the oldest continuously cultivated contrade on the volcano.
Tasting: Visits available as part of the Benanti estate experience. Book via benanti.it.
Signature wines: benanti-pietrarizzo
Family winery on Etna's north slope at 700 m altitude offering sommelier-led tastings paired with Sicilian delicacies; award-winning Tifeo range.
Tip: Combine with a Gambino lunch for a full 3-hour experience.
1734-heritage estate with historic palmento and vineyard walk on Monte Serra; the only winery producing wines from all four Etna slopes using 100% native grapes with autochthonous yeasts.
Tip: Open Tue-Sun by reservation; 15 km from Catania, 40 km from Taormina.
100-hectare Etna estate at 700 m offering contrade-focused tastings with cellared vintages; lunch packages include traditional Etna recipes paired across the range.
Tip: Book the Le Contrade lunch to taste separately vinified single-vineyard Nerello Mascalese.
Sicily's oldest Etna DOC producer since 1727; historic cellar tours with Etna cuisine pairings and access to a four-room wine resort with infinity pool.
Tip: The Contrada Villagrande single-vineyard Carricante is poured exclusively on-site.
Organic Etna winery offering contrade immersions, underground cellar tours and a sparkling-wine focus; ancient Monte Gorna palmento adds heritage depth.
Tip: The sparkling Etna Rosato Brut Methode Classique tasting is a Nicosia signature.
Planeta's Etna estate inside the Etna Park, with a carefully restored cellar and the Teatro in Vigna natural amphitheatre; exclusive wine shop and panoramic vineyard views of the volcano.
Tip: The Sciaranuova Festival in summer hosts concerts in the vineyard amphitheatre.
Belgian-born Frank Cornelissen makes radical no-added-sulfur Nerello Mascalese from pre-phylloxera alberello vines in the Solicchiata and Calderara contrade on the north face of Etna.
Tip: Cornelissen does not operate a conventional tasting room; allocation visits are by appointment and through importer relationships. Availability of top cuvees is tightly limited.
Century-old family estate in the Calderara contrada, making organic, minimal-intervention Etna Rosso from pre-phylloxera alberello vines. One of Etna's quietest and most authentic producers.
Tip: Calabretta rarely advertises tastings; visits are arranged by contacting the family directly. The wines appear on natural wine lists in Catania and Palermo before reaching international import markets.
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 hierarchy is a lesson in what altitude and vineyard aspect can do to the variety. The Nerojbleo is the most accessible entry to the range.
Small biodynamic-practicing producer in Castiglione di Sicilia on the north face of Etna, making minimal-intervention Etna DOC from pre-phylloxera alberello vines.
Tip: Available at natural wine-focused restaurants in Catania and through a small number of specialist UK importers. Production is limited; buy what you can find.