Sicily’s position in the center of the Mediterranean Sea has made the island a nexus of cultural exchange for millennia. This rich heritage is matched by an amazingly diverse and complex range of wines and gastronomy. On this wine tour, you will taste and drink the contributions of the different civilizations who have settled here for millennia.
Blessed with a varied range of terroirs, Sicily boasts some of the most distinctive grapes and wines of all of Italy. Old head-trained bush vines of Nerello Mascalese and Carricante grow at high altitude on the slopes of the impressive Etna volcano. The southeast part of the island, famous for its unique Sicilian Baroque architecture, is the traditional home to Sicily’s flagship variety Nero d’Avola and Frappato. It’s time to discover this enchanting and wild place.
Join us in Sicily for a seven-day tour of historical and culinary delights surrounded by breathtaking vineyards, stunning Mediterranean coastlines, and seemingly endless bottles of wine!
Please note that spaces are limited! If you are interested in coming along, please contact us as soon as possible to avoid missing out!
The specific activities on this schedule are tentative and subject to minor adjustments due to logistical and other practical considerations.
We’ll meet at the Catania Airport in the afternoon and depart for the historic city of Ragusa. Known for its 17th century Baroque architecture, Ragusa is one of the eight cities that make up the Val di Noto UNESCO World Heritage site. We’ll spend our first three nights in Ragusa, exploring the region’s history, tasting its wine, and enjoying its culinary delights.
On our first full day together, we will take in the historical sites of the ancient city of Ragusa. The city has counted Greeks, Byzantines, Romans, Arabs, and Bourbons as its inhabitants, so there will be lots to explore. Following a casual lunch in the city center, we will depart for the neighboring town of Modica, where we will enjoy a deliciously fun chocolate-making class. We will conclude the evening with an upscale, Michelin-starred dinner.
Sicily’s most famous grapes, Frappato and Nero d’Avola, find the perfect marriage in the wines of Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily’s only DOCG. We’ll explore three approaches to producing wine in the Vittoria region, from a modern producer, to one using ancient winemaking techniques, and conclude with one of Italy’s most influential natural wine producers.
We say goodbye to the surroundings of Ragusa and head north to the southern slopes of Mount Etna. We’ll enjoy a late morning tasting at a boutique organic winery followed by lunch at a multigenerational winery with roots dating back over 150 years. We’ll arrive at our waterfront hotel in Taormina where you can relax and enjoy the evening on your own. Taormina is an idyllic town located precisely where Mount Etna dips into the Mediterranean’s vibrant blue waters.
The northern slope of Mount Etna has some of the most sought after terroir in all of Italy. We will visit three wineries, each taking a unique approach to vine cultivation and winemaking in the region.
Our journey will conclude on some of the most picturesque terraced vineyards of Mount Etna. We will begin the morning with a deep dive into the Nerello Mascalese grape and its uncanny ability to reflect terroir specificity. We will enjoy lunch at a winery that produces wine throughout Sicily and enjoy flavors from beyond the island’s eastern edge. Our evening will conclude with a Michelin-starred dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients.
Depart or extend your trip on your own
DATES: Sunday, May 19 – Saturday, May 24, 2024
COST: $4,995 per person (double occupancy) // $550 single occupancy supplement
Enjoy superior 4- and 5-star accommodations during your stay in Sicily.
Your 5-star hotel in Ragusa will be a remarkable boutique hotel located in the old town center within an 18th Century building. The 16 beautiful rooms are fitted with all the most modern facilities that, combined with the exclusive and elegant atmosphere of the rooms, make for a comfortable and memorable stay.
Your 4-start waterfront hotel in Taormina includes a private beach, wellness center, and saltwater swimming pool. The hotel is ideally situated for exploring the unspoilt commune of Taormina and its surrounding area.
Reserve your spot by contacting us at [email protected]. Please note that spaces are limited to 15 people!
If you have visited DCanter, then you have probably attended one of Michael’s many wine classes or received a personal wine recommendation. Michael Warner is a Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of DCanter, where he is the wine buyer. He holds a Certified Specialist of Wine designation from the Society of Wine Educators, consults frequently with specialty wine importers, and he has been featured in publications, such as the Washington Post, Fast Company, France2 News, and Meininger's Wine Business International. A frequent traveler, he has visited wine regions throughout France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Balkans, and – of course – the United States. Michelle is a Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of DCanter, where she also manages its innovated Concierge by DCanter personal wine shopping service. In her role, Michelle developed innovated wine curation decision support tools and customer resource management software to help her Concierge clients receive the right wine every time. A great lover of learning and education, Michelle has appeared on several wine industry speaking panels, and she has been featured in publications, such as the Washington Post and Wine Enthusiast magazine.
Claudia’s career started in the international hospitality industry and event organizing at the St. Regis Grand Hotel in Rome and then at Vinopolis in London. She then worked in India for the famous Italian wine company Marchesi Antinori, training the staff about wine at prestigious hotels. Claudia is also a member of the Italian Sommelier Association and an experienced guide specializing in Italy.
I’m Interested in the Hungary Wine Trip