An Etna Wine tasting tour should not be missed by wine lovers when visiting Sicily. This tour combines the visit of the medieval town of Castelmola and a winery located on the Northern slopes of Mt Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
The tour first starts with a visit of the lovely Castelmola. This quaint and quiet town, (less than 2000 inhabitants) has fascinated many travelers before you, and it is also nationally recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Italian Villages. This is the place where you will have the first impressive view of Mt Etna, and great photo opportunities on the Ionian Coast as well.
Start to feel the wine vibes having a sample of the almond wine, the typical product of Castelmola, invented back in 1907 in the historical café which still offers it to all visitors. Stroll around and let yourself be charmed by the alleyways, the outstanding views and traditional ceramic stores.
The Castelmola and Etna wine tasting tour continues to the Northern side of Mt Etna, with a drive through the wine production areas. Etna wines are amongst the most famous and renewed wines in Italy: the lava soil of Mt Etna transfers to the grapes the taste of the minerals and the power and the warmth of the sun.
You will learn about how hard and challenging is growing vines on an active volcano. We will visit one of the more than 200 wineries that now exist in the Consortium of Etna DCO area, all of them following strict regulations and working hard to obtain the finest wines, sharing the expertise from generation to generation. You will meet the owner of the winery that will personally show the estate.
During the Etna wine tasting tour, you will savor 4 different Etna wines, paired with a selection of the best Sicilian products enhancing the taste, while the owner in person will describe and highlight the qualities and the characteristics of the product. Needless to say, all day long you will be charmed by the dramatic lava landscape and views of the Etna volcano will always surround you.
Etna DCO wines: learn about the typical cultivars of Mt Etna, especially the Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio varieties, used to produce the famous Etna Red -Etna Rosso. After a light lunch paired with a selection of 4 wines we will visit the heart of the estate: the wine cellar.
Castelmola: this quaint town of ours will fascinate you with its authentic Sicilian atmosphere. Meet the local people in the main square and taste the typical dessert wine, traditionally offered to all visitors since 1907. The Bar Turrisi will surprise you with its particular style and ornaments.
Itinerary
The Etna wine tasting tour will finish at the starting point. For cruise passengers: return to the port before the all-on-board time is always guaranteed.
Itinerary
Etna volcano: during the Etna wine tasting tour you will learn a lot also about the volcanic activity of Mt Etna and its most famous eruptions. The lava flows can be disruptive, but after centuries become so fertile that people around Etna consider the lava as the black gold. The volcano is always awake, and you may be able to experience some activity, such as the very common smoke on top (if the sky is clear).
Nature and Landscape: during our Castelmola and Etna wine tasting tour even driving to reach the destinations you will enjoy great views on the sea, and there will be plenty of opportunities to take incredibly scenic pictures that you may want to print and put on display once you will be back home. Driving to reach Mt Etna you will cross ancient lava fields now used to plant the vineyards. Discover how the lava stone is used to decorate and even build facilities in the Etna area.
Itinerary
The Etna wine tasting tour will finish back to the starting point. For cruise passengers: return to the port before the all-on-board time is always guaranteed.
General information
things you need to know