Marco de Bartoli Estate Tasting Room ★ 4.8
8 by the glassPetrosino, Marsala
The Marco de Bartoli estate in Petrosino outside Marsala offers focused fortified and oxidative wine tastings in western Sicily, anchored by the Vecchio Samperi solera.
The list: The de Bartoli family's estate tasting room pours the full range including Vecchio Samperi (unfortified oxidative), Marsala Superiore and the Josephine Doree single-cru
Tip: Vecchio Samperi is the signature pour: unfortified, perpetual-blend oxidative Grillo. It is sold as IGT Sicilia rather than Marsala because no fortification spirit is added, but follows the same solera-aged Grillo principle as historical pre-fortification Marsala.
Vino e Convivio ★ 4.4
15 by the glassMarsala centro storico
Independent Marsala wine bar on Via XI Maggio with a cross-producer Marsala by-the-glass selection covering Fine, Superiore, Vergine and Vergine Stravecchio styles in one sitting.
The list: Marsala-focused wine bar with independent by-the-glass selection across producers: Florio, Pellegrino, de Bartoli, Donnafugata; 15 by the glass
Tip: The only Marsala bar where you can taste all the major producers' Vergine and Superiore styles side by side in one evening without a cellar tour booking.
Casa del Vino Siciliano ★ 4.4
20 by the glassPiazza dell'Universita, Catania
Catania's dedicated Sicilian wine bar on Via Landolina with late closing, Friday producer evenings and an all-island list. The closest Catania equivalent to a natural wine bar in Rome or Milan.
The list: All-Sicilian selection of 250 labels; 20 by the glass rotating weekly; producer guest appearances on Friday evenings
Tip: Friday late tastings with invited Etna and Vittoria producers are the best regular event on the Catania wine calendar. The 23:00-01:00 sessions are uniquely Sicilian in their informality.
Ballaro 25 ★ 4.2
15 by the glassBallaro market, Palermo
Natural wine bar in Palermo's Ballaro market neighbourhood with a very late closing and a chalk-board daily list. Known as the post-midnight drinking spot for Palermo's wine trade.
The list: Natural-wine focused late-night bar in the Ballaro market area; 15 small-producer Sicilian bottles by the glass on a chalk-board menu
Tip: A late-closing dedicated wine bar in Palermo's market district. The list changes daily based on open bottles; all natural, mostly Sicilian with the occasional biodynamic Campanian or Lazio pour.
Enoteca Teatro Greco ★ 4.3
20 by the glassTaormina centro storico
Taormina wine bar adjacent to the ancient Greek Theatre, serving Etna DOC and Sicilian selections by the glass with a view onto the 3rd-century BC theatre and Mount Etna.
The list: Taormina evening wine bar by the Greek theatre; 20 Sicilian and Italian selections by the glass; strong on Etna and Nerello Mascalese
Tip: Positioned one street from the entrance to the Greek Theatre; the perfect pre- or post-theatre venue for a glass of Etna Rosso. Outdoor terrace fills up on performance nights.
Enoteca del Porto ★ 4.2
22 by the glassLa Cala marina, Palermo
Palermo marina wine bar on Via Francesco Crispi with late Saturday producer tasting flights and an all-island by-the-glass selection. One of the city's few bars offering structured tasting formats after midnight.
The list: Palermo late-evening wine bar at the old marina; 22 Sicilian labels by the glass including producer tasting flights on Saturday evenings
Tip: Saturday evening producer flights focus on one region each week: Etna, Vittoria, Marsala or Alcamo. The waterfront terrace stays open late through October.