BENVENUTI A SICILIA!

Arrivals and transfer from Catania Airport to the plush Villa Sant’Andrea, a Belmond hotel, one of the most enchanting luxury hotels Taormina has to offer.

Orientation tasting

Learn all there is to know about Sicilian wine, guided by local expert Ben Spencer from Etna Wine School. We’ll taste whites, rosés and reds, ranging from IGT up to Grand Cru Etna Rosso, to give us a more full picture of the vinous riches of this island.

Dinner at the hotel’s seaside restaurant

We’ll follow the tasting with dinner at the hotel’s Ristorante Sant’Andrea. Resting on its own exclusive shoreline, this traditional venue serves up the very best from land and sea beside a bay shimmering with stars.

ISLAND WINEMAKING AT ITS BEST

Morning tradition: granitas at Bam Bar

You can’t leave Sicily without partaking in the tradition of granitas for breakfast! The semi-frozen dessert Granita is a key part of the morning breakfast (once served with fresh crusty bread, now replaced by a delicious brioche locally known as tuppu).

Tasting and lunch at Barone di Villagrande

This visit to the 10th generation winery on the slopes of Etna promises to be a memorable one. Current generation winemaker Marco Nicolosi loves to transmit his family’s pioneering passion for the steep vineyards of Mt. Etna, and their beautiful lineup of wines further demonstrates this passion. We’ll taste through the family’s whites, rosés and reds, and then sit down at long tables to enjoy some Sicilian specialties prepared for us by their chef.

Optional walking tour of Taormina

After lunch you can relax back at the hotel, or you may choose to be guided by a local expert on a fascinating walking tour of Taormina. This town is filled with history, and you won’t want to miss this informative private tour.

Rest and relaxation

Dinner at Trattoria da Nino

Known by locals for its genuine Sicilian fare for three generations, this trattoria was established over 50 years ago by the Nicita family of Taormina. They bring the perfect combination to your dining experience – high quality locally sourced food, innovation and top-notch hospitality. We’ll enjoy some of their meat, fish and vegetarian specialties, and of course some of the best Sicilian wines.

TIME TO MAKE YOUR OWN ETNA WINE

Blending session at our partner Tenuta delle Terre Nere

Our Sicily winemaking partner is one of the finest producers on the island, and we will blend using their contrade (the Grand Cru of Etna) parcels of Mt. Etna’s finest grape, Nerello Mascalese. We will be guided by none other than the winery’s legendary owner Marco de Grazia. This promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Tasting and lunch at ValCerasa with winemaker Alice Bonaccorsi

The Bonaccorsi family has owned vineyard land on the slopes of the Etna volcano since 1763. Alice has been involved in the family winery since a young age, and started her own small project on her own land, with her husband Rosario Pappalardo, in 2000. Alice’s tastings are always extraordinary, as her passion for Etna and the land she works shine through everything she does. We will taste through her small group of white, rosé and red wines, and then sit down for an artfully prepared country lunch.

Afternoon tasting with Andrea Franchetti at Passopisciaro

Passopisciaro has 26 hectares of vines across the northern face of Mount Etna, from which they produce six different bottlings of Nerello Mascalese to showcase the profound differences in the terroir – lava flow, aspect, and altitude – of their various Grand Cru parcels. Andrea will walk us through these wines and explain in greater depth what makes the Grand Crus of Mt. Etna so special.

Optional hike/ride in a 4×4 on Mt. Etna

You might instead choose to be guided on a walking tour of Taormina’s historical wine bars.

Rest and relaxation

Traditional Sicilian Dinner at La Tavernetta

Take in the stunning ocean view on all sides as we dine like a local at this magical spot. The restaurant focuses on local and seasonal ingredients, including the bounty of seafood from the island. The wine list is full of local gems that offer the perfect match for the delicious dishes, and we will also enjoy the wines of our special guest winemaker.

ARRIVADERCI

Departures, or continue on for further exploration