Belgian natural-wine pioneer Frank Cornelissen established his estate on Etna's north slope in 2001, working without sulphur at all. His Magma cuvee from ungrafted pre-phylloxera Nerello vines above 1,000 metres is among Sicily's most sought-after cult wines.
Signature wines: cornelissen-magma, cornelissen-munjebel-rosso, cornelissen-munjebel-bianco
Address: Via Canonico Zumbo 1, Passopisciaro, 95012 Castiglione di Sicilia (CT), Sicily, Italy
Founded in 1980 by Giambattista Cilia, Cirino Strano and Giusto Occhipinti, COS pioneered biodynamic farming and amphora fermentation in Sicily. Their Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG from Nero d'Avola and Frappato is the defining expression of the appellation.
Tasting: Winery visits by reservation only. Contact via the COS website or telephone (+39 0932 876145).
Signature wines: cos-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, cos-pithos-rosso, cos-rami
Arianna Occhipinti started with one hectare along the SP68 road in 2004 and has grown to 40 hectares farmed organically and biodynamically. Her SP68 Rosso blending Frappato and Nero d'Avola is among Italy's most celebrated natural wines.
Tasting: Visits by reservation year-round, mornings or afternoons. Vineyard walk, cellar tour and wine and oil tasting with olives and bruschetta. Languages: Italian, English, French. Contact +39 0932 1865519.
Signature wines: occhipinti-sp68-rosso, occhipinti-sp68-bianco, occhipinti-siccagno
Six generations of the Jacono family have farmed these 70 hectares in the Ragusa province. Gaetana Jacono runs the estate, producing organic Frappato and Nero d'Avola that anchor their acclaimed Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG blend.
Tasting: Classic wine tastings, chef-led pairings, cooking courses and vineyard walks at the Acate estate.
Signature wines: valle-acate-cerasuolo-di-vittoria, valle-acate-il-frappato, valle-acate-tane
Gulfi owns some of the oldest Nero d'Avola parcels in the Pachino area, including pre-phylloxera crus at Maccaraj, Bufaleffj, Baronj and Sanlorenzo. The estate's four single-vineyard bottlings set the benchmark for terroir-expressive Nero d'Avola.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Noto estate. Contact info@gulfi.it.
Signature wines: gulfi-nerojbleo, gulfi-nerobuffaleffj, gulfi-nerobaronj
Fabio Sireci's Feudo Montoni sits in the hills of central Sicily at Cammarata, farming pre-phylloxera Nero d'Avola vines. The Vrucara single-vineyard bottling from ungrafted vines is one of Sicily's most distinctive and sought-after Nero d'Avola expressions.
Tasting: Visits by appointment at the Cammarata estate in central Sicily. Contact info@feudomontoni.it.
Signature wines: feudo-montoni-vrucara, feudo-montoni-lagnusa, feudo-montoni-grillo-della-timpa
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
