Val Demone Wine Region Voyage Tips and guide

The Val Demone Wine Region is a wine-producing area in northeastern Sicily. It includes the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, the coastal hills around Messina and Milazzo, and the Aeolian Islands. The region includes higher-elevation vineyards, volcanic and rocky soils, and strong maritime influences. Wine tourism is concentrated around Etna, with vineyard visits, tastings, and rural accommodation.

Sicily was historically divided into three administrative valleys—Val di Mazara, Val Demone, and Val di Noto. Modern wine appellations do not follow these boundaries, but the valley names are still used in wine writing as a broad geographic framework.

Val Demone occupies northeastern Sicily. Wine production ranges from high-altitude vineyards on Etna to coastal sites near Messina and Milazzo, and island vineyards in the Aeolian archipelago.

Viticulture in Val Demone is shaped by volcanic geology, elevation, and maritime influence. On the slopes of Mount Etna, vineyards are planted between roughly 400 and 1,200 metres above sea level. Vines grow on successive lava flows that have weathered into dark, mineral-rich, well-drained soils. Traditional dry-stone terraces help stabilise steep slopes and reduce erosion.

Growing conditions vary with altitude and exposure. The northern slope of Etna, around Randazzo and Passopisciaro, is cooler and drier and is associated with structured red wines. The eastern slope, including Milo, receives higher rainfall and is known for white wines. The southern and western slopes are generally warmer and sunnier.

Beyond Mount Etna, Val Demone includes several distinct wine areas shaped by coastal and island climates. The rocky hills of the Peloritani range near Messina form the heart of the Faro DOC, while the Milazzo peninsula is associated with the Mamertino di Milazzo DOC. The volcanic Aeolian Islands, particularly Salina, are known for Malvasia delle Lipari.

Conditions on Etna are cooler than much of Sicily, with warm days and cool nights, especially at higher elevations. Rainfall and seasonal variation are generally higher than on the island’s lowland vineyards. Weather can change quickly in the mountain areas, and some roads may be affected by winter conditions or volcanic activity.

37°31′16″N 14°0′7″E

Map of Val Demone Wine Region

The Etna area is best known for native grape varieties used in the Etna DOC.

Red varieties:

• Nerello Mascalese – The main red grape, used for Etna Rosso.
• Nerello Cappuccio – Often blended in smaller amounts.

White varieties:

• Carricante – The main white grape, especially on the eastern side of the volcano.
• Catarratto and Minnella – Sometimes used in blends.

• Etna DOC – Covers the slopes of Mount Etna and accounts for most winery visits and tastings in the region.
• Faro DOC – Small DOC in the hills south of Messina, producing red blends including Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, and Nocera.
• Mamertino di Milazzo DOC – Coastal DOC on the Milazzo peninsula, producing red and white wines.
• Malvasia delle Lipari DOC – DOC of the Aeolian Islands, focused on aromatic wines, including sweet styles.

The Mount Etna Wine Region is accessible via air, rail, and road, though the most convenient access point is the city of Catania, located on the Ionian coast at the base of the volcano. Vineyards spread across the northern, eastern, and southern slopes of Etna — including areas around Randazzo, Linguaglossa, Castiglione di Sicilia, and Milo — and many are best reached by car or guided tour.

• Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) is the closest major airport, located about 30–60 minutes from most Etna wine towns. It has extensive domestic and international connections and is well serviced by buses and rental cars.
• Palermo Airport is about 3.5–4 hours away and more useful if you're combining wine visits with western Sicily.

Catania is the best arrival point if your main interest is Mount Etna and its vineyards.

Trenitalia and the narrow-gauge Circumetnea railway connect Catania with wine towns such as Randazzo, Linguaglossa, and Riposto.

While scenic, trains can be slow and infrequent, so check schedules in advance. Intercity buses also run from Catania to Zafferana Etnea, Nicolosi, and Milo — but may not reach individual estates. For most rural or higher-altitude wineries, onward transport by taxi or transfer is necessary.

Driving is the most flexible way to reach and explore the Etna Wine Region:

• From Catania, take the A18 motorway north toward Giarre or Fiumefreddo, then follow local roads to wine villages like Linguaglossa, Solicchiata, or Castiglione di Sicilia.
• The SP59, SP92, and other scenic mountain roads climb up to wineries and tasting rooms on all sides of Etna.
• Access from the south and west (e.g., from Adrano or Bronte) is also possible via secondary roads, though these are more winding.

Most estates are well signposted and offer on-site parking. Note that roads can be steep, narrow, or unpaved in rural areas — a GPS or offline map is useful.

Guided wine tours are a great way to explore Etna’s vineyards without needing to drive on mountain roads. These often include transport, tastings, meals, and expert guides:

• Etna Wine Tours^{[dead link]} – Etna wine tour with honey tasting in Zafferana, two winery visits, guided tastings, and a Sicilian lunch.
• Food and wine tour – Guided hike on Etna’s scenic trails followed by wine tasting at a local winery. Includes tastings of Etna DOC wines with traditional food pairings.

For those staying in Taormina, Catania, or Acireale, many tour operators offer direct hotel pick-ups. If you're self-driving, some wineries also offer bilingual guided tastings by appointment.

• 37.86115.023861 Passopisciaro – Vini Franchetti, Passopisciaro, Castiglione di Sicilia, ☏ +39 0942395449, [email protected]. Winery on Etna’s northern slope offering guided vineyard and cellar visits with tastings focused on single-contrada wines. Several tasting options are available. Advance booking required.  

• 37.8856715.017742 Tenuta delle Terre Nere, Contrada Calderara, Randazzo, ☏ +39 095 924002. Estate winery producing Etna DOC wines from multiple contrade. Offers guided tastings and vineyard visits by reservation on weekdays.  

• 37.873615.034393 Frank Cornelissen, Contrada Chiappemacine, Passopisciaro. Winery producing Etna wines using minimal-intervention methods. Offers guided tastings and vineyard walks by appointment.  

• 37.885815.08474 Tornatore Winery, Contrada Pietrarizzo, Castiglione di Sicilia, ☏ +39 337 1087964, [email protected]. Family-run winery on the northern slope of Etna. Offers guided tours and tastings focused on Etna DOC wines.  

• 37.8612315.016335 Planeta – Sciaranuova Estate, Contrada Sciaranuova, Passopisciaro, ☏ +39 335 666 1716. High-altitude vineyard estate offering guided visits and tastings. Olive oil is also produced on site. Seasonal cultural events may take place.  

• 37.8862115.029576 Cottanera, Contrada Iannazzo, Castiglione di Sicilia, ☏ +39 391 3939073, [email protected]. Winery offering guided tastings and vineyard visits focused on Etna DOC wines. Reservations required.  

• 37.8743514.984737 Donnafugata Cantina Randazzo, Contrada Statella, Randazzo, ☏ +39 334 6363829, [email protected]. Winery within Etna Park offering guided vineyard and cellar visits with tastings. Open year-round except Mondays; advance booking recommended.  

• 37.6159215.099498 Benanti Winery, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 361, Viagrande, ☏ +39 0957890928, [email protected]. Historic Etna estate offering guided visits that may include vineyard walks, cellar tours, and tastings. Visits by appointment.  

• 37.6222814.971519 Tenuta Papale, SP 160, Belpasso, ☏ +39 349 618 5972. Family-run estate on Etna’s southern slope offering guided tastings of wine and olive oil. Visits by reservation.  

Wineries on Mount Etna commonly sell wine directly to visitors after tastings, including single-vineyard and limited-production bottlings. Many estates also sell olive oil, honey, or other local food products, and some offer shipping services.

Etna’s volcanic slopes support olive groves and beekeeping, particularly on the eastern and southern sides of the volcano.

• 37.58514.99051 Oleificio Russo, Via Papa Giovanni Paolo II, 9, Belpasso, ☏ +39 095 912007, [email protected]. M–F 08:30–17:30, Sa–Su 08:00–13:00. Family-run olive oil mill producing extra-virgin olive oil from groves on Etna’s foothills. Products are sold at the onsite shop.  

• 37.6938315.116912 Cavallaro Miele, Via Salto della Monaca, Zafferana Etnea, ☏ +39 095 7082255. Honey producer based in Zafferana Etnea. Sells a range of monofloral and wildflower honeys at an onsite shop.  

Agricultural products from Etna’s slopes are often sold at wineries, farm shops, and local markets, particularly around Randazzo, Zafferana Etnea, and Linguaglossa.

• Pistachios from Bronte
• Chestnuts harvested from Etna’s forests in autumn
• Preserves and jams produced by agriturismi and small farms
• Local cheeses, including pecorino, ricotta, and provola

Some of these products are also available at regional food festivals, such as the Ottobrata Zafferanese.

Dining around Mount Etna ranges from simple agriturismi to restaurants attached to wine resorts. Many wineries offer light food pairings with tastings, while rural restaurants focus on seasonal dishes made with local ingredients.

• 37.8433515.142191 Shalai – Ristorante Etna, Via Guglielmo Marconi, 25, Linguaglossa, ☏ +39 095 643128, [email protected]. Restaurant in Linguaglossa serving modern Sicilian cuisine. Located within a small hotel. Reservations recommended.  

• 37.7085215.200362 Zash – Ristorante Eno-Gastronomico, Strada Provinciale 2/II n.60, Archi–Riposto, ☏ +39 095 7828932. Restaurant located within a restored wine estate near Riposto, serving dishes based on local ingredients. Reservations recommended.  

Accommodation in the Mount Etna Wine Region includes agriturismi, winery guesthouses, and small resorts, often set among vineyards or former farm buildings. Many properties offer tastings or cellar visits alongside accommodation. Booking ahead is advisable during summer and harvest periods.

• 37.71421315.119981 Barone di Villagrande Wine Resort, Via del Bosco, 25, Milo, ☏ +39 095 955540, [email protected]. Accommodation within a historic wine estate near Milo. Facilities include guest rooms, a pool, and a restaurant. Wine tastings are available.  

• 37.6925915.126892 Tenuta San Michele – Murgo Wine Estate, Via Zafferana Bongiardo, 224, Santa Venerina, ☏ +39 095 950520, [email protected]. Guest rooms on a working wine estate on Etna’s eastern slopes. Includes a pool, wine bar, and access to winery visits.  

• 37.67415.108153 Monaci delle Terre Nere, Via Pietralunga, Zafferana Etnea, ☏ +39 095 7083638, [email protected]. Resort-style accommodation set within a former wine estate. Offers guest rooms, villas, restaurant, and agricultural production on site.  

• 37.88257715.0642354 Cavanera Etnea Wine Resort, Contrada Verzella, Castiglione di Sicilia, ☏ +39 0942 986182, [email protected]. Accommodation within a vineyard estate on Etna’s northern slope. Facilities include guest rooms, pool, restaurant, and tasting areas.  

• 37.856615.094565 Tenuta di Fessina – Casa Palmento, Contrada Rovittello, Castiglione di Sicilia, [email protected]. Small guesthouse in a restored palmento surrounded by vineyards. Offers a limited number of rooms and access to winery visits. Booking required.  

Avoid drinking and driving when visiting wineries. Roads around Etna can be narrow, steep, and winding, particularly in rural areas and after dark. Weather conditions can change quickly at higher elevations, and summer heat can be intense.

• Catania
• Val di Mazara Wine Region