40 by the glassPoliteama, Palermo
Palermo enoteca in continuous operation since 1946; floor-to-ceiling bottles, a deep Sicilian list and an expert team that stocks wines rarely found elsewhere on the island.
The list: Historic enoteca since 1946 with 7,000-plus labels spanning Sicilian artisan producers alongside global grands crus; retail shop by day, wine bar from 5pm.
Pours: Etna Rosso DOC selections, Nerello Mascalese, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Tip: Arrive at 5pm for aperitivo with a charcuterie board before the evening rush.
35 by the glassPoliteama, Palermo
Beloved Palermo wine bar where sommelier Salvatore Fanale fields a vast list of Sicilian gems and global stalwarts; outdoor terrace on the piazza is the place to be at sundown.
The list: 700-plus labels led by Sicilian selections curated by sommelier Salvatore Fanale; aperitivo platters and outdoor terrace.
Pours: Tasca d'Almerita Regaleali Rosso, Etna Bianco DOC, Passito di Pantelleria DOC
Tip: Ask Salvatore for his current Etna picks; the underground gems change seasonally.
30 by the glassCastellammare, Palermo
Long-running bar near Teatro Massimo, open from 9:30am to 1am, with outdoor terrace; champagne and sparkling focus alongside well-priced Sicilian wines.
The list: Family-run champagne specialist since 1968; also carries Sicilian still wines, French sparkling and an extensive spirits collection.
Pours: Champagne house selections, Sicilian Brut Metodo Classico, Passito di Pantelleria DOC
Tip: Great aperitivo stop before an opera at Teatro Massimo; try a glass of Sicilian bubbles with the house tramezzini.
25 by the glassLungomare, Catania
Sleek Lungomare wine bar opened by sommelier Andrea Allegra after experience abroad; 320 Italian labels with 70 off-list rarities, priced from EUR 25 a bottle, in a refined seaside setting.
The list: 320-plus labels covering all Italian regions; sommelier Andrea Allegra curates a cellar focused on Italian elegance with 70 off-list rarities; modern wine dispensers for by-the-glass service.
Pours: Etna Rosso DOC contrade selections, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Etna Bianco DOC
Sommelier: Andrea Allegra
Tip: The off-list section includes micro-producer Etna wines not found in retail; ask Andrea to unlock it.
20 by the glassCentro Storico, Catania
Started as an online enoteca in 2013; now two storefronts on the same Baroque street with a wine-bar format and one of Catania's fullest Sicilian selections by the glass.
The list: Specialist Sicilian shop and wine bar with nearly all major island producers represented by the glass and bottle; second location in the San Benedetto monastery at Via Crociferi 14.
Pours: Etna DOC range, Frappato di Vittoria, Nerello Mascalese
Tip: The monastic setting at Via Crociferi 14 is the more atmospheric option for a glass.
30 by the glassOrtigia, Siracusa
Ortigia institution since 1987, transformed into a leading natural-wine bar by AIS-certified owners Elisa Merlo and Gianfilippo Russo; triple Slow Wine award winner for best Cerasuolo di Vittoria selection.
The list: 2,000-plus labels dominated by small-production natural and artisan wines from Italy and worldwide; dual-purpose retail and wine bar with food pairings.
Pours: Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Etna DOC, natural Sicilian bianco
Sommelier: Elisa Merlo and Gianfilippo Russo
Tip: Slow Wine has cited Solaria for three consecutive years for Sicily's best territorial selection.
20 by the glassCentro, Taormina
Casual wine bar with typical Sicilian food at the top of Corso Umberto; convenient starting point for Etna wine exploration with a well-curated island selection.
The list: Sicilian cellar-focused wine bar on Taormina's main pedestrian corso; local food pairings with Etna and regional selections.
Pours: Etna Rosso DOC, Nerello Mascalese, Malvasia delle Lipari DOC
Tip: Pair a glass of Etna Rosso with arancino before heading to the Greek theatre.
15 by the glassOrtigia, Siracusa
Intimate Ortigia wine bar and shop specialising in natural and artisan Sicilian wines; lively after-dinner spot with a discerning crowd.
The list: Ortigia natural wine bar with a compact curated list of Sicilian and Italian artisan producers; retail and by-the-glass service.
Pours: Natural Nero d'Avola, Etna Rosso DOC, Frappato di Vittoria
Tip: Check their social media for natural wine producer pop-up evenings.
15 by the glassPalermo
Palermo natural wine advocate with a tight selection of Sicilian and Italian low-intervention producers; small plates from local and seasonal suppliers.
The list: Natural wine shop and bar in Palermo with local, seasonal organic food pairings; part of Raisin's verified natural wine network.
Pours: Natural Sicilian Bianco, Natural Nerello Mascalese, Pet-nat Catarratto
Tip: Ask for their current Etna naturale selection; producers rotate seasonally.
20 by the glassCentro Storico, Catania
Created by lawyer-turned-sommelier-turned-artist Gabriella Maugeri; wine service is paired with live art exhibitions and performances in a refined Catania setting.
The list: Sommelier-led wine bar doubling as an art exhibition space; Sicilian and Italian selections with rotating artistic programme.
Pours: Etna Rosso DOC, Etna Bianco DOC, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Sommelier: Gabriella Maugeri
Tip: Check Instagram for current exhibition openings; wine and art events are the highlight.
20 by the glassBallarò, Palermo
Housed in the former stables of Palazzo Cattolica near Ballarò market; the enoteca room pairs Sicilian street snacks with natural wines in a theatrical medieval setting.
The list: Market-wine bar hybrid inside 17th-century stables near the Vucciria; Sicilian enoteca room with street-food antipasti and natural wine focus.
Pours: Sicilian Grillo, Nero d'Avola, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Tip: Start in the enoteca room, then move to the restaurant space for full Sicilian antipasti service.
18 by the glassCentro Storico, Catania
Catania natural wine bar within Raisin's verified network; seasonal Sicilian dishes and a 30%-plus natural wine selection create a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.
The list: Natural wine bar and restaurant in Catania with minimum 30% natural wines; local, seasonal food and Sicilian artisan producers.
Pours: Natural Nerello Mascalese, Natural Carricante, Frappato naturale
Tip: Pairs well with a visit to the Catania fish market nearby.
40 by the glassKalsa, Palermo
Michelin-listed Palermo restaurant in Palazzo Gangi (the location of Visconti's 'The Leopard') with a 650-label cellar covering Sicily and Italy in depth; bar area allows wine-only visits.
The list: 650-label cellar curated by brothers Andrea and Alberto Rizzo; comprehensive Sicilian selection plus top Italian denominations; Michelin-recognised wine list.
Pours: Nerello Mascalese contrade, Tasca d'Almerita Contea di Sclafani, Benanti Etna Bianco DOC
Tip: The bar seats offer the full wine list without a food commitment; recommended for solo wine explorers.
16 by the glassCentro Storico, Catania
Catania's lively natural-wine bar and shop with a creative kitchen; the 30%-natural wine floor makes this a gateway for low-intervention Sicilian discoveries.
The list: Bar, restaurant and wine shop with 30%-plus natural wines; local, seasonal and mostly organic food pairings; Raisin-verified natural wine venue.
Pours: Natural Etna DOC, Sicilian orange wine, Natural Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Tip: The orange wine selection from Sicilian producers is unusually deep for a bar.
12 by the glassPalermo
Palermo natural wine bar and shop with an emphasis on Sicilian small producers and seasonal local food; community-oriented and low-key atmosphere.
The list: Natural wine shop and bar in Palermo with local, seasonal organic food; Raisin-verified venue with small-producer Sicilian focus.
Pours: Natural Grillo, Natural Nero d'Avola, Natural Inzolia
Tip: A reliable Palermo stop for new Sicilian natural-wine discoveries.
