15 editor-picked estates growing Syrah in Sicily.
Where to taste Syrah 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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.