Day-by-day estate-visit plans for Sicily: weekend, first-timer and deep-cellar editions.

Day-by-day plans

Etna contrade three-day trail ★ 4.9

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Arrive in Randazzo on the north face of Etna. Begin with a 10:00 visit to Passopisaro for a tasting of the Guardiola, Porcaria and Rampante single-contrada Nerello Mascalese bottlings in the cellar.
    Afternoon
    Drive west along the SP120 to Castiglione di Sicilia for a 15:30 visit to Benanti's historic Rovittello estate, the founding site of the modern Etna revival.
    Evening
    Return to Randazzo for aperitivo at a local enoteca. Dine with a flight of current-vintage Etna Rosso from multiple producers.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    Drive to Solicchiata on the SP120 for a 10:00 appointment at Frank Cornelissen's estate. Taste the MunJebel entry tier and, if allocation permits, a contrada bottling.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon visit to Terre Nere estate in Passopisaro contrada for a comparative tasting showing the difference between the Feudo di Mezzo and San Lorenzo contrade.
    Evening
    Drive down to Taormina (45 min) for dinner overlooking the Ionian coast. Pair with an Etna Bianco Carricante from the eastern face.

  3. Day 3

    Morning
    Drive to Milo on the eastern face of Etna (30 min from Taormina) to visit the only Etna Bianco Superiore DOC commune. Taste Carricante from Benanti's Pietra Marina vineyard if available through prior appointment.
    Afternoon
    Return to Catania via the eastern Etna road, stopping at a Catania wine bar to compare Etna Rosso and Bianco selections before departure.
    Evening
    Depart from Catania airport or continue to Syracuse.

East Sicily four-day wine loop: Etna, Noto and Cerasuolo di Vittoria ★ 4.8

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Fly into Catania. Drive directly to the Etna north face: morning visit to Calabretta in Randazzo for a taste of century-old alberello Nerello Mascalese.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon drive along the SP120 to Benanti's Caselle estate near Milo for a 16:00 Etna Bianco Superiore tasting.
    Evening
    Drive down to Catania (1h) for dinner at a Catania wine-bar with an Etna-focused list.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    Return to Etna north face for a 10:00 appointment at Passopisaro. Focus on the single-contrada Nerello Mascalese hierarchy.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon drive from Etna south towards Syracuse (2h). Stop at Gulfi in Chiaramonte Gulfi (Ragusa province) for a 17:00 Nero d'Avola single-vineyard tasting.
    Evening
    Continue to Syracuse. Dinner in Ortigia's historic centro with Sicilian seafood and Grillo or Etna Bianco.

  3. Day 3

    Morning
    Drive to Noto (40 min from Syracuse). Morning walk through the UNESCO baroque city, stopping at Caffe Sicilia for almond granita.
    Afternoon
    Drive 30 min to Arianna Occhipinti's estate in Vittoria for a 16:00 appointment: taste SP68 Rosso, Frappato and the full range.
    Evening
    Stay in Ragusa Ibla; dinner with Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG in the baroque piazza.

  4. Day 4

    Morning
    Morning visit to COS in Vittoria (30 min from Ragusa) for a 10:00 pithos-fermentation tasting of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria range.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon stop at Modica's Antica Dolceria Bonajuto for chocolate. Drive back to Catania airport (1h 45m) for departure.
    Evening
    Depart Catania.

Marsala, west coast and Pantelleria five-day fortified and island loop ★ 4.8

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Fly into Palermo or Trapani. Drive to Marsala (1h from Palermo). Morning visit to Cantine Florio's historic bagli on the seafront: 90-minute tour showing the solera reserves and a full tasting of Fine, Superiore, Vergine.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon visit to Pellegrino for a comparative tasting of the Marsala range and the producer's Sicilian DOC wines.
    Evening
    Aperitivo at an Enoteca on Marsala's seafront. Dinner with local tuna (tonno di Favignana) paired with Marsala Fine.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    Morning appointment at Marco de Bartoli's Petrosino estate (15 min south of Marsala) for a tasting of the Vecchio Samperi (unfortified oxidative Grillo) and the Marsala range.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon drive north along the Trapani coastline salt flats. Visit the saltpan museum at Saline della Laguna at sunset.
    Evening
    Return to Marsala for dinner. Try the Marsala stravecchio poured by the glass at a Marsala enoteca.

  3. Day 3

    Morning
    Early morning ferry from Trapani to Pantelleria (2h 15m) or flight from Palermo (30 min). Arrive mid-morning.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon visit to Donnafugata's Pantelleria estate for a tasting of the Ben Rye Passito and the Lighea Zibibbo dry white.
    Evening
    Explore the pantellesca dammuso architecture. Dinner with Pantelleria anchovy and caponata paired with Moscato di Pantelleria.

  4. Day 4

    Morning
    Morning visit to Salvatore Murana's estate in Khamma for the single-cru Passito di Pantelleria tasting: Mueggen, Harrabi and Khamma compared.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon free on Pantelleria: swim at the natural Specchio di Venere lake or hike to Montagna Grande. Evening ferry or overnight stay.
    Evening
    Optional overnight or late-night ferry back to Trapani.

  5. Day 5

    Morning
    Return to Trapani. Morning visit to a small Grillo producer in the Campobello di Mazara or Castelvetrano area (Trapani province) for an insight into Sicilian dry white wine production beyond Marsala.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon free in Trapani before departure from Trapani or Palermo airports.
    Evening
    Depart.

Grand Sicily wine loop: seven days, five appellations ★ 4.9

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Fly into Catania. Drive directly to Etna north face: 10:00 tasting at Passopisaro in Randazzo, focusing on the contrada hierarchy.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon appointment at Frank Cornelissen for a MunJebel tasting.
    Evening
    Descend to Catania. Dinner at a Catania Etna-wine restaurant.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    Full day on Etna: morning at Calabretta in Randazzo, afternoon at Benanti's Caselle estate on the eastern face near Milo.
    Afternoon
    Benanti Caselle for Etna Bianco Superiore.
    Evening
    Dinner in Catania's fish market neighbourhood.

  3. Day 3

    Morning
    Drive from Catania to the Val di Noto (1h 30m). Morning at Gulfi in Chiaramonte Gulfi for Nero d'Avola cru tasting.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon at Arianna Occhipinti in Vittoria for SP68 and Frappato tasting.
    Evening
    Dinner in Ragusa Ibla with Cerasuolo di Vittoria pairing.

  4. Day 4

    Morning
    Morning at COS in Vittoria: pithos fermentation tasting of the full Cerasuolo di Vittoria range.
    Afternoon
    Drive to Syracuse (45 min). Afternoon in Ortigia.
    Evening
    Seafood dinner in Ortigia with Etna Bianco or Grillo.

  5. Day 5

    Morning
    Drive from Syracuse to Marsala (2h 30m via the A18 and A29). Morning bagli tour at Cantine Florio.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon visit to Marco de Bartoli's Petrosino estate for the Vecchio Samperi tasting.
    Evening
    Marsala waterfront aperitivo with a glass of Vergine.

  6. Day 6

    Morning
    Drive north from Marsala into the Palermo province interior to Tasca d'Almerita's Regaleali estate (1h 30m) for a morning tasting of the Rosso del Conte and Chardonnay range in the high-plateau vineyard.
    Afternoon
    Drive to Palermo (1h 30m from Regaleali). Afternoon at leisure in Palermo.
    Evening
    Dinner in Palermo's Vucciria market area at a wine-bar. Pair with a broad Sicilian tasting flight.

  7. Day 7

    Morning
    Morning in Palermo: Mercato di Ballaro food market walk with local street food and small wine pours from Trapani and Camporeale producers.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon at leisure or a final visit to a Palermo enoteca for last-minute bottle shopping. Depart Palermo airport.
    Evening
    Depart.

Palermo and Marsala long weekend ★ 4.5

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Arrive Palermo. Check in. Morning at Mercato di Ballaro for a street-food and wine-pour introduction to Sicilian food culture.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon at leisure in Palermo city centre; visit the Arab-Norman Palatine Chapel and the Martorana.
    Evening
    Aperitivo at an enoteca in the Vucciria area with Sicilian DOC whites and a first-course Nero d'Avola pour.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    Morning drive to Camporeale (1h from Palermo) to visit Valdibella cooperative for a tasting of organic Catarratto and Perricone from small Camporeale plots.
    Afternoon
    Return to Palermo. Afternoon at leisure. Optional visit to Palermo's Enoteca Picone for bottle shopping.
    Evening
    Dinner at a Palermo seafood restaurant with grilled red mullet and a Grillo from Trapani province.

  3. Day 3

    Morning
    Drive from Palermo to Marsala (1h 30m). Morning bagli tour at Cantine Florio.
    Afternoon
    Afternoon at Marco de Bartoli's Petrosino estate for Vecchio Samperi and the Marsala range.
    Evening
    Marsala waterfront before departure back to Palermo or Trapani airport.

Itineraries in Sicily, FAQ

When is the best time to visit Sicily for wine?

Peak wine-travel season in Sicily is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.

Do I need an appointment to taste at Sicily estates?

classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.

What hours do Sicily cellars and tasting rooms keep?

most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.

How does tipping work at Sicily tastings?

tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.

What is the one wine to try in Sicily?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Sicily rewards trust.

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