Zibibbo in Sicily

Serragghia (Pantelleria) ★ 4.7

Gabrio Bini's Serragghia on Pantelleria farms Zibibbo in the alberello pantesco system without sulphur. The Serragghia passito and natural Zibibbo whites are produced in small allocations and distributed largely through specialist natural-wine importers.

Tasting: Visits by appointment on Pantelleria. Contact via Gabrio Bini's Serragghia farm.

Signature wines: Serragghia Passito di Pantelleria

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

Cantine Pellegrino ★ 4.4

Established in 1880, sixth-generation family-owned Cantine Pellegrino built its reputation on Marsala and Pantelleria passito wines. Its historic Marsala cellars host regular cellar tours and tastings 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 10 Anni, Pellegrino Nes Passito di Pantelleria

Marco De Bartoli ★ 4.8

Marco De Bartoli founded this artisan Marsala house in 1978, working primarily with Grillo to revive traditional un-fortified and minimally fortified styles. The estate at Samperi is the spiritual home of authentic Marsala craft.

Tasting: Guided tours and tastings at the Samperi cellar near Marsala. Weekday visits by appointment. Contact by phone (+39 0923 962093) or email.

Signature wines: Marco De Bartoli Vecchio Samperi, Marco De Bartoli Marsala Superiore Riserva Oro, De Bartoli Bukkuram Sole D Agosto

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

Cantina Rallo ★ 4.1

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.

Tasting: Historic Marsala cellar visits and tastings. Contact via the Rallo website.

Signature wines: Cantina Rallo Marsala Superiore, Cantina Rallo Alcamo Bianco

Donnafugata Pantelleria ★ 4.8

Donnafugata's Pantelleria estate produces Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC from Zibibbo (Moscato d'Alessandria) vines trained in the alberello pantesco system on volcanic soils.

Tasting: Estate visits on Pantelleria. Bookable via the Donnafugata visit site.

Signature wines: Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria

Marco De Bartoli - Bukkuram (Pantelleria) ★ 4.8

Marco De Bartoli's Pantelleria estate at Bukkuram produces the Sole d'Agosto passito from Zibibbo vines trained in the alberello pantesco system. The wine is a benchmark of minimal-intervention Pantelleria passito style.

Tasting: Visits by appointment on Pantelleria. Contact via the Marco De Bartoli website.

Signature wines: Marco De Bartoli Bukkuram Sole d'Agosto

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

Donnafugata Marsala Cellars ★ 4.7

1851 historic baglio cellars in Marsala with underground barrique room inspired by Istanbul's Basilica Cistern; full suite of tasting experiences from Signature Wine Library to gourmet pairings.

Tip: The underground barrique cellar tour is the unmissable option; book via visit.donnafugata.it.

Marco De Bartoli - Samperi Cellar ★ 4.8

Off-the-beaten-track Marsala estate 14 km from town where the pre-British Marsala tradition of Vecchio Samperi is kept alive; 90-minute cellar tour in English, French or Spanish.

Tip: Closed weekends and mid-August; GPS coordinates (37.735630, 12.539073) beat the postal address.

Cantine Pellegrino ★ 4.5

Seven-generation family winery since 1880 with over 1,000 vats and barrels in the historic cellars; tour includes Punic-era archaeological finds, a Sicilian cart museum and a master cooper workshop.

Tip: Ask for the Ouverture tasting room with panoramic views of the Egadi Islands.

Salvatore Murana ★ 4.8

Small family Zibibbo producer on Pantelleria, making single-vineyard Passito di Pantelleria DOC from named contrade: Mueggen, Harrabi and Khamma.

Tip: Murana's wines are difficult to find off the island and through specialist importers only. If visiting Pantelleria, buy directly at the cellar: production is tiny and allocation-only internationally.

Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco Terre Siciliane IGT ★ 4.7

Arianna Occhipinti's SP68 Bianco is a blend of Albanello and Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria) from organic farming near Vittoria. Pale gold, fragrant orange blossom, salted lemon peel and a textured, naturally fermented finish. One of Sicily's most individual and distinctive under-EUR 25 white wines.

Tip: SP68 Bianco is named after a Vittoria-area road, not a numbered vintage. Low-sulfur and alive; drink within two years of vintage and serve well chilled.