Firriato's Etna estate in the Verzella contrada includes the Cavanera resort, one of the most complete wine-tourism experiences on Etna, with accommodation, restaurant, cellar visits and the Gaudensius traditional-method sparkling wine from Nerello Mascalese.
Signature wines: firriato-gaudensius-etna-brut, firriato-cavanera-ripa-di-moraci
Address: Contrada Verzella, Castiglione di Sicilia (CT), Sicily, Italy
The Pietrarizzo contrada on the north slope of Etna at 800 metres produces Benanti's most mineral and savoury Nerello Mascalese. The Benanti family has farmed this plot since the 18th century, making it one of the oldest continuously cultivated contrade on the volcano.
Tasting: Visits available as part of the Benanti estate experience. Book via benanti.it.
Signature wines: benanti-pietrarizzo
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
Tasca d'Almerita's Capofaro estate on the island of Salina in the Aeolian Islands produces Malvasia delle Lipari DOC within a boutique hotel and winery. The terrace vines with views toward Stromboli create one of Italy's most dramatic wine-tourism settings.
Tasting: Boutique hotel and wine resort on Salina with tasting experiences among the Malvasia vines overlooking the Tyrrhenian.
Signature wines: capofaro-malvasia
Gabrio Bini's Serragghia on Pantelleria is a cult natural-wine producer farming Zibibbo in the alberello pantesco system without sulphur. The Serragghia passito and natural Zibibbo whites are among Italy's most sought-after natural sweet and aromatic wines.
Tasting: Visits by appointment on Pantelleria. Contact via Gabrio Bini's Serragghia farm.
Signature wines: serragghia-passito-di-pantelleria
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
The Pietrarizzo contrada on the north slope of Etna at 800 metres produces Benanti's most mineral and savoury Nerello Mascalese. The Benanti family has farmed this plot since the 18th century, making it one of the oldest continuously cultivated contrade on the volcano.
Tasting: Visits available as part of the Benanti estate experience. Book via benanti.it.
Signature wines: benanti-pietrarizzo
