One of Sicily's oldest and most storied family estates, Tasca d'Almerita has farmed the Regaleali plateau since 1830. Their Rosso del Conte, a Nero d'Avola-led flagship, is among the island's most age-worthy reds.
Signature wines: tasca-dalmerita-rosso-del-conte, tasca-dalmerita-chardonnay, tasca-dalmerita-leone-dalmerita
Address: Contrada Regaleali, 90020 Sclafani Bagni (PA), Sicily, Italy
Donnafugata, founded by the Rallo family in Marsala, has grown into a multi-estate Sicilian producer with vineyards in Contessa Entellina, Pantelleria and Etna, crafting wines from native varieties including the iconic Ben Rye passito.
Tasting: Daily guided tours and tastings at the historic Marsala cantina (10:00-18:00) and at the Contessa Entellina estate. Reservations required.
Signature wines: donnafugata-ben-rye, donnafugata-mille-e-una-notte, donnafugata-tancredi
Founded by Vincenzo Florio in 1833, Cantine Florio is the most iconic Marsala house in Sicily. Its historic tuff-stone cellars, with 104 arches and 1,400 barrels, are a landmark of western Sicilian wine history.
Tasting: Guided cellar tours of the historic 165-metre tuff-stone barrel chambers. Over 50,000 visitors annually. Bookable via the Cantine Florio website.
Signature wines: florio-targa-riserva, florio-morsi-di-luce
Established in 1880, sixth-generation family-owned Cantine Pellegrino built its reputation on Marsala and Pantelleria passito wines. Its historic Marsala cellars are among the most visited in western Sicily.
Tasting: Wine tourism at the historic Marsala cellars via the Pellegrino Ouverture booking platform. Guided tours, tastings and food pairings.
Signature wines: pellegrino-marsala-superiore-riserva, pellegrino-nes-passito
Marco De Bartoli founded this artisan Marsala house in 1978, working primarily with Grillo to revive traditional un-fortified and minimally fortified styles. The estate at Samperi is the spiritual home of authentic Marsala craft.
Tasting: Guided tours and tastings at the Samperi cellar near Marsala. Weekday visits by appointment. Contact by phone (+39 0923 962093) or email.
Signature wines: de-bartoli-vecchio-samperi, de-bartoli-marsala-superiore-oro, de-bartoli-bukkuram-sole-d-agosto
One of Etna's pioneering estates, Benanti has been producing wine on the volcanic slopes since 1734. Their single-contrada whites from Milo are benchmarks for Etna Bianco Superiore, and their Nerello reds helped launch the modern Etna renaissance.
Tasting: Tuesday through Sunday by reservation. Three tasting programmes including Get to Know Etna, Contrade Selection and Library Vintages. Tours of the historic palmento and vineyard.
Signature wines: benanti-pietramarina, benanti-rovittello, benanti-serra-della-contessa
Founded in 2002 by Marc de Grazia on Etna's north slope at Randazzo, Tenuta delle Terre Nere was instrumental in establishing the single-contrada bottlings that made Etna internationally famous. Old-vine Nerello from plots like Calderara Sottana and Guardiola set the benchmark.
Tasting: By appointment, Monday to Friday. Contact via visite@tenutaterrenere.com.
Signature wines: terre-nere-calderara-sottana, terre-nere-guardiola, terre-nere-feudo-di-mezzo
