Winery Visit and Tasting on the Volcanic Slopes near Catania
Where lava soil, ancient vines, and organic winemaking converge on the eastern flank of Mount Etna
This Mount Etna winery visit takes you into one of Sicily's most distinctive viticultural landscapes, where native grape varieties grow in volcanic soil shaped by millennia of eruptions, and where sustainability is written into the architecture of the cellar itself.
The estate occupies historic Contrade on the eastern slope of the volcano, cultivated since ancient times and certified organic long before such practices became industry standard. The family behind it has worked these vineyards since the 1970s, earning a reputation built on patient, small-scale attention to every vine.
A guided walk through the underground hypogean cellar reveals a cross-section of volcanic earth six meters deep, where vine roots reach down through cooled lava layers in plain sight. This is not a staged display but a structural feature of the cellar, built below ground to reduce its environmental footprint and aligned with principles of bioarchitecture.
After exploring the cellar, the visit moves to a panoramic terrace with views stretching from Etna's summit to the Ionian Sea, where three Etna DOC organic wines from the deAetna line are poured alongside traditional bread and estate olive oil.
Tour Highlights
Visit a hypogean cellar built underground using bioarchitecture principles, one of the first of its kind in Southern Italy.
Observe six meters of exposed volcanic soil, where vine roots are visible pushing through historic lava layers.
Taste three Etna DOC organic wines from the deAetna line, produced exclusively from native grape varieties.
Discover a winery certified organic on Etna before the volcano gained international recognition, now also holding the Equalitas sustainability standard.
Enjoy the tasting on a panoramic terrace with unobstructed views toward the Ionian Sea and the volcanic summit.
Sample local bread paired with extra virgin olive oil pressed from the estate's surrounding groves.
An experience designed to be accessible and welcoming to families, cyclists, and guests traveling with dogs.
Itinerary
Guests are welcomed at the winery situated in the Contrada Blandano, Viagrande, surrounded by native vines, olive groves, and medicinal herbs. A brief introduction sets the context for the visit, touching on the estate's history and philosophy.
A guide leads the group through the underground cellar, designed and constructed according to bioarchitecture principles to minimize environmental impact. The visit includes a view of the geological cross-section revealing six meters of volcanic strata and the living roots of the vines above.
The guide explains the estate's use of exclusively native grape varieties, including Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Carricante, and Catarratto. The distinct Contrade of Blandano and Praino, and their influence on the wines, are discussed in context.
Guests move to the outdoor tasting terrace, which faces both the crater of Etna and the Ionian coastline. Three deAetna Etna DOC organic wines are poured in sequence: white, rose, and red, each accompanied by a guided sensory description.
Traditional Sicilian bread seasoned with extra virgin olive oil from the estate's own groves accompanies the tasting. This pairing reflects the same agricultural ethos that shapes the wine production.
What Is Included
Included
- Guided tour of the underground hypogean cellar
- Geological explanation of the volcanic soil cross-section
- Introduction to native grape varieties and organic farming practices
- Guided tasting of three Etna DOC organic wines from the deAetna line
- Traditional local bread with estate extra virgin olive oil
- Creative activity kits for children
Not Included
- Transportation to and from the estate
- Additional wine purchases
- Gratuities for guides
Important Information
Reserve Your Place
Secure your spot for this guided wine and cellar experience on the slopes of Mount Etna and discover what volcanic terroir truly means in the glass.
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