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An Etna Wine tasting tour should not be missed by wine lovers when visiting Sicily. This tour combines the visit of the medieval town of Castelmola and a winery located on the Northern slopes of Mt Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.
The tour first starts with a visit of the lovely Castelmola. This quaint and quiet town, (less than 2000 inhabitants) has fascinated many travelers before you, and it is also nationally recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Italian Villages. This is the place where you will have the first impressive view of Mt Etna, and great photo opportunities on the Ionian Coast as well.
Start to feel the wine vibes having a sample of the almond wine, the typical product of Castelmola, invented back in 1907 in the historical café which still offers it to all visitors. Stroll around and let yourself be charmed by the alleyways, the outstanding views and traditional ceramic stores.
The Castelmola and Etna wine tasting tour continues to the Northern side of Mt Etna, with a drive through the wine production areas. Etna wines are amongst the most famous and renewed wines in Italy: the lava soil of Mt Etna transfers to the grapes the taste of the minerals and the power and the warmth of the sun.
You will learn about how hard and challenging is growing vines on an active volcano. We will visit one of the more than 200 wineries that now exist in the Consortium of Etna DCO area, all of them following strict regulations and working hard to obtain the finest wines, sharing the expertise from generation to generation. You will meet the owner of the winery that will personally show the estate.
During the Etna wine tasting tour, you will savor 4 different Etna wines, paired with a selection of the best Sicilian products enhancing the taste, while the owner in person will describe and highlight the qualities and the characteristics of the product. Needless to say, all day long you will be charmed by the dramatic lava landscape and views of the Etna volcano will always surround you.
Etna DCO wines: learn about the typical cultivars of Mt Etna, especially the Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio varieties, used to produce the famous Etna Red -Etna Rosso. After a light lunch paired with a selection of 4 wines we will visit the heart of the estate: the wine cellar.
Castelmola: this quaint town of ours will fascinate you with its authentic Sicilian atmosphere. Meet the local people in the main square and taste the typical dessert wine, traditionally offered to all visitors since 1907. The Bar Turrisi will surprise you with its particular style and ornaments.
Etna volcano: during the Etna wine tasting tour you will learn a lot also about the volcanic activity of Mt Etna and its most famous eruptions. The lava flows can be disruptive, but after centuries become so fertile that people around Etna consider the lava as the black gold. The volcano is always awake, and you may be able to experience some activity, such as the very common smoke on top (if the sky is clear).
Nature and Landscape: during our Castelmola and Etna wine tasting tour even driving to reach the destinations you will enjoy great views on the sea, and there will be plenty of opportunities to take incredibly scenic pictures that you may want to print and put on display once you will be back home. Driving to reach Mt Etna you will cross ancient lava fields now used to plant the vineyards. Discover how the lava stone is used to decorate and even build facilities in the Etna area.
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Departure times are set according to the arrival and departure time of cruise ships based on the calendars that we know in advance. Return on time is 100% guaranted, and we wait for our guests to arrive if the ship is late disembarking.
At the check-out, you can see and decide what you want to pay according to the group size you choose.
At the check-out you will be asked to fill a form with basic info: name, mobile phone number, e-mail, name of the ship ecc. If a discount code is available, this is the moment to use it.
*Please, be sure to share with us a correct phone number because we will use it to share important reminiders and notes for your trip in advance.
You have the option to pay with a deposit of 40% if the total due amount is more than 500€. We will later charge your card for the balance within 15 days to the tour departure.
Castelmola and Etna wine tasting tour starts from Messina Cruise Port or from Travel Agency Discover Messina Sicily, located in the city center. On request, a departure from your accommodation located in Messina area.
After about 1 hr driving, the first stop of the Castelmola and Etna wine tasting tour you will get you to the lovely town of Castelmola, at 584 mt a.s.l. The bus will drop us off in the main -still little- St. Antonino Square, where you will be welcomed by a first panoramic view on the city of Taormina below. Enjoy a sample of almond wine and walk to the Cathedral Church were the view of the bay of Naxos and the majestic Mt. Etna will fill your eyes with beauty and awe.
The bus will pick us up in Castelmola and we will continue our journey to the South. We will climb the Northern Slope of Mt Etna, and cross some of the small towns built around the volcano, Piedimonte Etneo and Linguaglossa. You may be getting a surprise on the way if you behave!
The real highlight of the tour is the visit to the winery. The owners will welcome us at their estate and in a cozy setting with a glass of sparkling wine. They will introduce you to the history of the company and present you a selection of their best wines paired with some typical Sicilian food, that will compose your light lunch. Experience with your senses the perfection of an authentic product and then immerse yourself in the visit of the estate and the wine cellar.
The Etna wine tasting tour will finish back to the starting point. For cruise passengers: return to the port before the all-on-board time is always guaranteed.
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Our Sicily experiences will be only assured for the accommodation located in North Eastern Sicily.
