Winery Visit & Tasting on the Volcanic Slopes near Catania

Perched high on the eastern flank of Mount Etna, surrounded by olive groves, medicinal herbs, and native vines, this wine experience invites you into a rare ecosystem where viticulture, history, and sustainability intertwine.

On land cultivated since ancient times, you’ll begin your visit with a guided exploration of a hypogean cellar, entirely built underground to minimize its environmental impact. Designed according to principles of bioarchitecture, it is one of the first of its kind in Southern Italy. Rather than dominating the landscape, the cellar disappears into it — a reflection of a deeper philosophy that seeks harmony with nature, not control over it.

Inside, a striking section of exposed volcanic soil reveals six meters of geological history, laid down over millennia. Through this cross-section, the roots of the vineyards growing directly above can be seen plunging into layers of cooled lava — a living expression of how Mount Etna gives life to every grape. It’s here that sustainability is not a marketing concept, but a visible, tactile presence.

The family behind this winery has tended these volcanic vineyards since the 1970s, long before the rest of the world discovered Etna’s exceptional terroir. They were the first to obtain organic certification on the volcano, and one of the few to embrace the Equalitas sustainability standard, going far beyond ecological care to promote ethical and economic balance in every step of production.

The estate’s vineyards, located in the historic Contrade of Blandano (Viagrande) and Praino (Milo), are planted exclusively with native grape varieties: Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, and Catarratto. Here, centuries-old farming traditions live on, preserved in small-scale cultivation and personal attention to every vine.

After the cellar visit, you’ll be invited to a panoramic tasting terrace, where the views sweep from the volcano’s smoky peak all the way to the Ionian Sea. It’s here that you’ll enjoy a guided tasting of three Etna DOC organic wines from the deAetna line — white, rosé, and red — each one a clear expression of the land from which it comes.

The white, based on Carricante and Catarratto, is precise and mineral, reflecting the altitude and lava soils of Milo. The rosé, made from Nerello Mascalese, offers bright red fruit and saline freshness. The red, a blend of Nerello Mascalese and Cappuccio, delivers structure, earth, and elegance in every sip. These are not just wines — they are the voice of the volcano.

To accompany your tasting, you’ll sample traditional local bread seasoned with extra virgin olive oil made from the estate’s surrounding groves. It's a simple, genuine pairing that reflects the same care and connection to the land that defines the wines.

This is a slow experience — not rushed, not scripted. It unfolds through the stories, memories, and textures of the land and the people who live and work on it. Everything from the vines to the cellar, from the architecture to the hospitality, is guided by one principle: to live and produce in deep respect for nature, culture, and community.

Accessible paths and inclusive touches make this experience welcoming to everyone: families, cyclists, and even four-legged companions. Children will find creative kits waiting for them, while adults immerse themselves in the flavors and stories of Etna.

In this small slice of paradise, wine is more than a product — it is a legacy renewed with every vintage.