Immersing yourself in wine country is one of the best ways to learn and explore the culture and history of a region, at least I think so. If anything, it’s a good reason to travel.
While Italy’s wine scene is incredible from top to bottom, Sicily’s been stealing my heart and apparently a lot of yours too. In a recent survey I did regarding wine regions people are most interested in visiting, Sicily was listed in the top five (Tuscany and Bordeaux tied). So let’s talk Sicily…
Why Visit Sicily?
Sicily has been producing wine since antiquity—likely as far back as 800 BCE. Over the centuries, this ancient Mediterranean island experienced dramatic highs and lows in its winemaking fortunes, largely shaped by successive waves of conquerors. From Byzantine rulers to North African Arabs, each brought different attitudes toward wine production, fundamentally shaping the island’s viticultural landscape.
By the 19th century, after Sicily officially became part of Italy, the wine industry faced mounting challenges. Phylloxera devastated vineyards, two world wars took their toll, and the ever-present threat of Mount Etna’s eruptions loomed large. Many vineyards were abandoned, while others shifted toward bulk wine production—a trend that accelerated rapidly through the 1980s and 1990s.
The early 2000s marked a turning point. Vintners and investors began rediscovering the potential of Sicily’s diverse terroirs and indigenous grape varieties, sparking a renaissance in quality winemaking. Today, the island has emerged as a vibrant fine wine region. The Consortium of Sicilia DOC now represents 500 wineries and winegrowers, while Sicily leads Italy in organically farmed grapes and pioneered the country’s first sustainability guidelines for the wine industry.
With the diverse history Sicily has seen throughout the centuries, it’s easy to say that the island is literally a museum in itself. One that showcases architectural gems from ancient Greek, Roman and Moorish civilizations. There are a multitude of Greek temples to explore and SEVEN designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Sicilian Wine Country
Thanks to its sun-soaked climate and volcanic soils from Mount Etna, Sicily’s wines are totally unique. Roughly the size of Massachusetts, Sicily encompasses a remarkable diversity of growing conditions. Vineyards range from high-elevation sites to coastal lowlands, with some even planted on the slopes of the active volcano Mount Etna. This geographic variety is reflected in the island’s 23 DOCs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), including the expansive Sicilia DOC, plus one DOCG—Cerasuola di Vittoria—which represents the highest quality designation.
The island is home to more than 500 native grape varieties! To keep things simple, red wine fans should look out for the bold Nero d’Avola, the elegant Nerello Mascalese, and the light, refreshing Frappato. If you’re into white wines, you can’t miss the crisp Grillo or Sarricante — especially in those stunning Etna Bianco wines that come right from the volcano’s slopes.
How can you learn and explore more about Sicilian wine?
There is no better way to experience a wine region than — you guessed it — by traveling there. I’ve teamed up with Authentic Explorations to create a DREAM wine vacation to Sicily in October 2026. This is the perfect time of the year to visit as it’s warm but not too hot, aka it’s the perfect temperature.
Picture this… Exploring Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe via a jeep tour. After the exciting ascent and visit of Etna, heading back to the winery, Tascante, which is set on the hills of the volcano, followed by a wine pairing lunch. Afterwards we will relax at our hotel, Dimora Cottanera, a new luxury property set among the vines of Cottanera Winery. We’ll meet back for a wine pairing dinner estate inside Cottanera’s palmento, an ancient mill used to crush grapes and gather the must to be placed in tanks for fermentation.
And that’s just day one…
We will be exploring the Sicilian wine country, sipping with winemakers, learning about the islands ancient, colorful history and cuisine. Indulging in local cuisine, which has incorporated dishes and ingredients from past conquerors from the Greeks to the Arabs to the Spanish. Think cooking classes and wine blending! A few favorite wineries we will be visiting (and staying at) – Planeta, Tasca d’Almerita and Cottanera, to name a few. Want to come with me take a look at the highlights for the trip and let me know if you want join.
Sip Sicily at Home
A few Sicilian wineries to be on the lookout for at your local wine shop are – Planeta, Donnafugata, Benanti, Cottanera, Occhipinti, Rapitala, COS, Gulfi, Pietradolce, Passo Pisciaro, Feudi del Pisciotto, Di Giovanna, Funaro and Firriato.
Elaine Schoch is an award-winning travel writer, wine judge, American Wine Specialist and certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET II). At Carpe Travel she shares wine travel destination guides for ALL WINE LOVERS – from novices to experienced pros – to help them plan their wine adventures, arming them with insider tips, must-visit spots, and things to see and do beyond the vines.