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Our Etna winery tour experience with Randazzo Sicily is an opportunity to truly go off-the-beaten-paths and experience the authenticity of a Sicilian town on the slope of Mt Etna, before visiting one of the wineries nearby to taste the outstanding Etna wines.
The first stop of the Etna winery tour will be Randazzo. This town is nestled at 765 a.s.l. between the Northern slope of Mt Etna and the Alcantara valley, in the heart of the winery production area of Mt Etna.
Learn about the resilience of a town that is famous for having kept its unique medieval architecture, despite the many eruptions that have threatened it over the centuries, but that never destroyed it.
Strolling around the historic center you will see many incredible buildings and churches, but the one that will impress you most will probably be the black cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Photo lovers can indulge in taking pictures of the architectural details that evoke the medieval past, with a view of Mt Etna peak, always in the background. Stroll in the alleyways, nicely adorned by the local inhabitants, and take your time to admire beautiful old palaces.
The second part of the Etna winery tour experience will finally take you to a winery nearby, where you will discover the expertise of the winemakers, that have been working on the lava soil for many generations. You will taste the fruit of their dedicated work that expresses love and passion combined with the strength that a similar territory shares with the product.
Greatly enjoy your time with a light lunch, while you savor a selection of 4 different wines paired with some of the best Sicilian food, locally produced. Let yourself be guided in this sensory Etna winery tour by the owner herself, who will highlight for you the qualities of the wines you are trying, before taking you downstairs to the heart of the estate: the wine cellar.
Black Cathedral of Randazzo: this gothic-style church is mostly built in lava stone, and you will appreciate the contrast between the black of the lava and the white of the sandstone. Explore the interiors with your tour guide and discover the artistic production of local painters, testifying past natural events. Artists were often employed to express the local faith in the Virgin Mary protecting the city from the destruction of the lava flows, resulting in unique religious artworks, still exhibited in the Church.
Etna winery tour: the Etna winery tour is a real opportunity to learn about the know-how of the local winemakers and find out the production techniques that, like a miracle, turn the grapes into wine. The grapes here grow between 400 to 1000 meters above sea level on the ancient lava flows. Visit the estate and especially the fermentation area and the cellar.
Etna DCO wines: one of the main interests in the Etna winery tour is to understand the strict regulations that the winemakers have to follow in order to have their products recognized by the Consortium of the Etna DCO wines. The lava becomes fertile after hundreds of years thanks to the erosion provided by the elements. Producers around Mt Etna have learnt how to grow the vines on the slopes, building terraces that make quite challenging to take care of the vineyards and harvesting.
History: the city of Randazzo lays on an area that was populated since Greek times, as many archeological findings prove. Learn more with your tour guide about the different civilizations that followed over the time: Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, Spaniards…
Architecture: the Etna winery tour also gives you an insight on the lives of people around an active volcano, such Mt Etna. In Randazzo you will experience how the local people start to use the lava to build and to ornate the town. Strolling around you will appreciate the stone-carved details around doors, ancient medieval windows dating back to the XIV century, a legacy of the skillful work of local stonemasons, and the majestic Cathedral and basilicas.
The Etna winery tour with Randazzo starts from Messina Cruise Port, Giardini Naxos – Taormina or Catania ports or from Travel Agency Discover Messina Sicily, located in the city center. On request, a departure from your accommodation located in Messina area. Meet your tour guide and start your adventure!
After a drive of around 1,5 hours you will reach the town of Randazzo, at 784 mt a.s.l. Visit the outstanding black Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and stroll around the medieval streets, such as the lovely Via degli Archi, in the historical center. Discover the authentic life around an active volcano, in a town that is the closest one to the summit craters of Mt Etna.
After a short drive from Randazzo, you will reach a winery, a family business since generation that produces excellent wines. The owner will welcome you with a glass of sparkling wine and we will start the tasting paired with local foods that will enhance the flavor of the wine in your mouth. After this we will go downstairs for the real Etna winery tour, visiting with the owner the main productions, fermentation areas and, of course, the wine cellar.
The Etna winery tour will finish back to the starting point. For cruise passengers: return to the port before the all-on-board time is always guaranteed.
Italian, English, Spanish, French, Romanian
The Etna winery tour experience and Randazzo will be only assured for the accommodation located in North Eastern Sicily.
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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.
