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.
Signature wines: maggio-vini-nero-davola, maggio-vini-moscato-di-noto
Address: Contrada Maccari, 96017 Noto (SR), 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
Founded in 1824 by the Duke of Salaparuta, Duca di Salaparuta (Corvo) is among the historic Sicilian commercial wine estates. Their Duca Enrico is a 100% Nero d'Avola first bottled in 1984 and the Bianca di Valguarnera is an Inzolia white. Now owned by Illva Saronno.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the historic Casteldaccia winery. Contact via the Duca di Salaparuta website.
Signature wines: duca-di-salaparuta-bianca-di-valguarnera, duca-enrico
Tenuta Rapitala at Camporeale in the Palermo province was established by a Franco-Sicilian partnership in 1968. The estate produces a broad range of Sicilian varietal and blended wines across 170 hectares, with the Grand Cru their prestigious top bottling.
Tasting: Visits and tastings at the Camporeale estate. Contact via the Rapitala website.
Signature wines: rapitala-grand-cru, rapitala-hugonis
Abele Ajello is a small organic producer in the Belice Valley near Castelvetrano, working with Catarratto and Nero d'Avola in the western Sicilian interior.
Tasting: Visits by appointment in the Belice Valley near Castelvetrano. Contact via the winery.
Signature wines: ajello-osa, ajello-tajuni-catarratto
Cantine Milazzo is one of the few producers working seriously within the rare Mamertino DOC, an appellation near Milazzo in the Messina province with roots in ancient Roman viniculture.
Tasting: Winery visits and tastings at the Milazzo estate near the Tyrrhenian coast. Contact via the winery.
Signature wines: milazzo-mamertino-rosso, milazzo-nero-davola
Founded in 1995 by cousins Alessio, Francesca and Santi Planeta, Planeta operates six wineries across the island from Menfi to Etna, Noto and Milazzo, with native and international varieties grown across distinct Sicilian terroirs.
Tasting: Three estate cellar doors: Ulmo at Menfi, Buonivini at Noto, and Sciaranuova on Etna. Tasting experiences bookable on the Planeta estate website.
Signature wines: planeta-santa-cecilia, planeta-burdese, planeta-cometa
