40 editor-picked estates growing Nero d'Avola in Sicily.
Where to taste Nero d'Avola 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
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
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
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
Founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti, COS pioneered biodynamic farming and amphora fermentation in Sicily. Their Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG from Nero d'Avola and Frappato is the defining expression of the appellation.
Tasting: Winery visits by reservation only. Contact via the COS website or telephone (+39 0932 876145).
Signature wines: cos-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, cos-pithos-rosso, cos-rami
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 blending Frappato and Nero d'Avola is among Italy's most celebrated natural wines.
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
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
Gulfi owns some of the oldest Nero d'Avola parcels in the Pachino area, including pre-phylloxera crus at Maccaraj, Bufaleffj, Baronj and Sanlorenzo. The estate's four single-vineyard bottlings set the benchmark for terroir-expressive Nero d'Avola.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Noto estate. Contact info@gulfi.it.
Signature wines: gulfi-nerojbleo, gulfi-nerobuffaleffj, gulfi-nerobaronj
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
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
Founded in 1997 by Count Paolo Marzotto, Baglio di Pianetto sits at 900 metres near Santa Cristina Gela, 25 kilometres from Palermo. The estate blends Sicilian and French winemaking traditions across 106 hectares, with an elegant agrirelais for overnight stays.
Tasting: Private visits and introductory wine courses at the 20-room agrirelais. Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00 by appointment.
Signature wines: baglio-pianetto-ramione, baglio-pianetto-ficiligno, baglio-pianetto-viafrancia
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
The Morgante family at Grotte in the Agrigento province focuses almost exclusively on Nero d'Avola, producing a standard and a single-vineyard Don Antonio from vineyards in the hot hilly interior of Sicily.
Tasting: Winery visits by appointment. Contact info@morgantevini.it or call +39 0922 945579.
Signature wines: morgante-nero-davola, morgante-don-antonio
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
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
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
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
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
Planeta's Noto estate produces Nero d'Avola and Moscato di Noto from the sun-drenched south-east of Sicily. The Buonivini contrada is within the historic Noto DOC, home to some of Sicily's oldest Nero d'Avola vines.
Tasting: Tasting experience at the Buonivini winery near Noto. Bookable via the Planeta estate website.
Signature wines: planeta-noto-nero-davola
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
A second-generation family estate on Salina producing organic Malvasia delle Lipari DOC wines alongside a Nero d'Avola-based red. Caravaglio's minimal-intervention passito is a benchmark expression of the Aeolian Islands' volcanic terroir.
Tasting: Seasonal tastings on Salina. Contact via the Caravaglio website.
Signature wines: caravaglio-malvasia-passito, caravaglio-salina-bianco
COS Pithos wines are fermented and aged in terracotta amphorae, reviving pre-industrial Sicilian vinification. The Pithos Bianco from Grecanico fermented on skins and the Pithos Rosso from Nero d'Avola are among Italy's most influential natural wines.
Tasting: Amphora wines tasted alongside DOCG range at the COS estate. By reservation.
Signature wines: cos-pithos-bianco, cos-pithos-rosso
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
Maggio Vini produces Noto DOC Nero d'Avola and Moscato di Noto from the Maccari contrada in the Syracuse province, one of the warmest and most sun-drenched zones in Sicily.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Noto estate. Contact via the winery.
Signature wines: maggio-vini-nero-davola, maggio-vini-moscato-di-noto
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
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
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
1851 historic baglio cellars in Marsala with underground barrique room inspired by Istanbul's Basilica Cistern; full suite of tasting experiences from Iconic Wine Library to gourmet pairings.
Tip: The underground barrique cellar tour is the unmissable option; book via visit.donnafugata.it.
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.
170-hectare Val di Noto estate with underground cellar and guest accommodation; Nero d'Avola specialist with single-variety and blended expressions in a dramatic desert-landscape setting.
Tip: Request the underground cellar tour; the estate guesthouse is excellent for overnight stays.
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.
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.
The founding estate for Malvasia delle Lipari DOC on the island of Salina in the Aeolian Islands, making one of Italy's most individual island dessert wines.
Tip: The Hauner estate also produces a dry Malvasia delle Lipari naturale that is rarely exported and shows the grape's aromatic freshness without the passito sweetness. Buy both if you make the ferry crossing.
Certified-organic estate in Acate producing Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and a benchmark single-varietal Frappato, among the most graceful in the appellation.
Tip: The single-varietal Il Frappato di Vittoria is Valle dell'Acate's calling card and one of the most elegant expressions of the grape in the DOCG. Available at quality wine shops across Italy.
Donnafugata's entry-level Nero d'Avola from Sicilian DOC vineyards. Ripe cherry, carob and warm spice; the approachable house style that introduces Donnafugata's range. Drink young.
Tip: Sedara is reliably available and under EUR 15 in major Italian supermarkets and wine shops. A reliable introduction to Nero d'Avola at near-everyday pricing.
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.
Morgante's Classico is the entry tier from one of Agrigento province's benchmark Nero d'Avola producers. The Classico shows the variety's signature dark cherry, carob and sun-dried tomato character at a price well below the more aged Don Antonio riserva tier.
Tip: Morgante's vineyards in Grotte are at higher elevation than most Sicilian DOC plantings, giving the Classico more freshness and acidity than typical Nero d'Avola.