“Mountain of Fire” was the ancient name that Arabs gave to the volcano Etna. This land, shaped by the glowing lava and by the sun generating light and energy, bears the deep and indelible signs of wine-growing and wine culture.
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Day 1
Arrival of the participants. Accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Cottanera winery in Castiglione di Sicilia. Here, the vines plunge their roots into a land born of destruction by volcanic lava, growing in a soil rich in mineral salts: perfect for cultivating vines. Important native varieties are grown, such as Nero D’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Inzolia, enhancing international wines such as Mondeuse, Syrah, Cabernet and Merlot.
Grammonte 2003 was awarded 5 Grappoli in 2006 by the Italian Sommelier Association; it’s a dark ruby merlot with a fruity and spicy taste. Ardensa 2004 had the highest score in 2006 and 2007 in the prestigious guide Espresso; it’s a brilliant ruby Mondeuse with an elegant balsamic and spicy nuance. The Sole di Sesta 2003 was awarded 2 Bicchieri by Gambero Rosso Guide in 2005 and 2006; it’s a Syrah of intensive ruby colour with purplish reflexes, notes of red fruit with a fresh green nuance and a fund of spicy and floral notes. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to choose among the optional excursions listed below or free time at leisure. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Gambino winery in Linguaglossa, set on the eastern side of the Etna volcano, in the woods of the National Park and facing the sea of Taormina. The vineyards lay on sunny and airy terracing that have a breathtaking panorama. Unique climate and ground conditions determine the typicality of the Etna grapes and wine. At the highest altitudes the changes of temperature between night and day allow a phenol and aromatic ripening that is essential for the colour and taste of the red grapes and for the aroma of the white wines. Furthermore, the volcanic ground (“ripiddu”) is very rich in potassium (with a concentration that is twice as much as that of other grounds), which supplies an equilibrated sugar content of the grapes and a proper relation between acids and alcohol. You’ll taste the Tifeo White a fresh and dry wine, with a fruity aftertaste of Etna apples and the Tifeo red with an herbaceous tone and a fruity aftertaste. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to choose among the optional excursions listed below or free time at leisure. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel. In the Etna area, Benanti vineyards are located on the northern, eastern and southern slopes of the volcano and crus of white and red wines come from there. Their wines have a strong personality and carry the culture and the passion for wine of the Benanti family, always driven by respect for the places, terroir and “palmeti”. The quality of wine is attested by the many awards given annually by the most important national and international competitions. “Serra della Contessa – Etna Rosso D.O.C. 2006”, which received 3 Bicchieri by Gambero Rosso guide in 2010, is made from Nerello Mascalese and Cappuccio grapes giving a full, harmonic and considerably persistent taste. “Pietramarina Etna Bianco Superiore D.O.C 2004 is made from Carricante grape, a vine cultivated only on Etna, which gives a nice aromatic persistence and aftertaste of anise and almond. Lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, we continue visiting the inactive Silvester craters. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel. End of our services.
Optional Excursions
(they must be reserved in advance; prices are not included in the rates):
Etna by an old railway: Depart from the hotel or the cellar, transfer and visit to the Gole dell’Alcantara; Continuation to Castiglione di Sicilia and photographic stop. From here, we continue our excursion by an off-road vehicle, following an old railway.
Natural Park of Etna: Depart from the hotel or the cellar, transfer to Linguaglossa or Milo through the wood up to the ancient craters, from which you can admire the wonderful view of the eastern Sicilian coast.
Lava flows of Etna: Depart from the hotel or the cellar, transfer to Cassone road and continuation by off-road vehicle to the lava flows in the Bove valley and Rifugio Sapienza.
Wine –deepening: you have the possibility to spend your free time visiting the winery Emanuele Scammacca del Murgo that has specialized in producing Sparkling wine Brut.
Wellness proposal: you can spend the free time in the wellness centre of the hotel (prices and treatments on request).
Golf proposal: the selected hotels are near the “Picciolo Golf Club”, a renowned golf-link set in the Park of Etna.
Rates include:
– Mini-coach, including transfers at arrival and depart.
-Accommodation in hotel 3/4 star in double room with private facilities.
– Half Board basis (dinner on first day till breakfast on last day) beverage not included
– our tour escort
– tasting in the 3 wine cellars as indicated in the programme
– our assistance; IVA and taxes
Rates don’t include:
– Beverages; extra;
– tips and porterages;
– Optional excursions
– Everything not mentioned in “rates include”