Wine Tasting in Southeast Sicily

Why visit southeast Sicily for wine?

This region is especially rewarding if you are interested in native grapes.

The principal varieties include:

• Nero d’Avola
• Frappato
• Moscato Bianco
• Grillo
• Inzolia
• Pignatello or Perricone
• International grapes used by individual estates

Compared with Etna, the landscape is generally lower, warmer and shaped by limestone, clay, coastal influence and the Hyblaean countryside.

The resulting wines can be fragrant and fresh or powerful and sun-filled, depending on the grape and site. Our guide to the best wine regions in Sicily sets this corner against Etna, Marsala and the rest of the island.

Wine tasting near Noto

Noto is one of the most convenient bases for combining wine with architecture, restaurants and access to the coast.

The surrounding wine route extends toward Avola, Rosolini, Pachino and the Vendicari area.

Wines to taste

• Nero d’Avola
• Moscato di Noto
• Dry Moscato
• Rosé
• Grillo
• White and red regional blends

Wineries to consider

Planeta Buonivini offers organised vineyard and winery experiences near Noto. Different programmes may include food, olive oil and comparative tastings.

Feudo Maccari, on the Noto–Pachino road, receives visitors by reservation and is strongly associated with Nero d’Avola. The guided wine tasting in the Val di Noto is held at a winery on that road: 45 minutes, four local wines and Sicilian pairings including Feudo Maccari olive oil, from $59 and rated 4.5 from 21 reviews (breakdown).

Other producers operate in the wider Noto, Pachino and Rosolini countryside, but visiting hours vary. Contact each winery directly instead of arriving without an appointment. If you would rather book a slot than write to an estate, the Val di Noto wine tour and tasting at Marzamemi is a guided cellar visit with four wines and an aperitivo, from $49 and rated 4.8 from 10 reviews (breakdown). The same estate sells a lighter three-wine tasting from $29, though it has only four reviews so far.

What to combine with Noto wine country

A winery visit can be paired with:

• Noto’s historic centre
• Vendicari Nature Reserve
• Marzamemi
• Avola
• A seafood lunch near the coast

Limit yourself to one winery if you also plan to visit Noto and Marzamemi. Choose two wineries only for a dedicated wine day.

Wine tasting around Vittoria and Acate

Vittoria is the most important destination in southeast Sicily for serious red-wine enthusiasts.

The area is known for Cerasuolo di Vittoria, made from Nero d’Avola and Frappato. Varietal Frappato and Nero d’Avola are also widely available.

What is Cerasuolo di Vittoria?

Cerasuolo di Vittoria is a red wine, despite the potentially confusing name. “Cerasuolo” refers to a cherry-like colour or character.

Frappato contributes perfume, red fruit and freshness. Nero d’Avola adds body, darker fruit and structure.

The combination produces a versatile red that can work with pasta, meat, vegetables and even substantial fish dishes.

Wineries to consider

COS is one of Vittoria’s internationally recognised producers. Visits require advance arrangements.

Valle dell’Acate offers bookable tastings, vineyard walks and food-focused experiences. Its wines include Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Frappato and Nero d’Avola.

Planeta Dorilli represents another established estate presence in the Vittoria area, although hospitality formats and availability should be confirmed for your dates.

Arianna Occhipinti is particularly sought after by natural-wine enthusiasts. Availability can be limited, so request a visit well in advance and do not assume a public tasting is available every day.

Two Vittoria wineries can form a complete day once driving, tours and lunch are included.

Bookable Vittoria listings are scarce. The Vittoria vineyard tour with a Sicilian brunch and four wines costs from $58 and is rated 5.0, but from only two reviews, so treat it as a promising newcomer and read the inclusions before you commit.

Wine tasting near Ragusa

Ragusa is an atmospheric base for exploring the Hyblaean countryside. It also offers a wider choice of evening restaurants than Vittoria.

The city is up to about an hour from parts of the Vittoria wine area, depending on the winery and traffic.

Chiaramonte Gulfi and the surrounding countryside contain producers working with Nero d’Avola and other Sicilian varieties. Closer to the Baroque town of Scicli, the winery tour and local food tasting near Ragusa covers a vineyard walk, a winery tour and four estate wines with scacce, cheeses and taralli, from $45 and rated 4.6 from 14 reviews (breakdown).

Suggested day

• Morning departure from Ragusa
• Winery visit near Chiaramonte Gulfi
• Lunch featuring local cheese or meat
• Afternoon tasting toward Vittoria
• Return to Ragusa before dinner

Do not combine two wineries with long visits to Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Scicli on the same day.

Wine tasting from Syracuse

Syracuse is a useful base for northern parts of the southeast wine route.

From Syracuse, consider:

• A half-day trip toward Avola
• A Noto winery and Baroque-town visit
• A private full-day trip toward Pachino
• A longer dedicated excursion to Vittoria

Vittoria is too far for a casual short tasting from Syracuse. It works best as a full-day private tour or as part of a transfer to Ragusa.

If you have no car, prioritise experiences that explicitly include Syracuse pick-up. The Noto, Marzamemi and Avola day from Syracuse is the one that does: pick-up at a place of your choice, Baroque Noto, Marzamemi and a tasting at a winery in Avola, at $406 for a group of up to four. It is rated 4.5 from only five reviews, and the wine tasting itself is paid separately at the estate. Our wine tours from Syracuse page compares the other departures, most of which head for Etna.

Staying in Ortigia with no wish to leave it? The Sicilian food and wine walk in Ortigia is a three-hour tour of the market and three eateries with two Sicilian wines, from $99 and rated 5.0 from 20 reviews (breakdown). It is a tasting of the region’s food and wine, not a winery visit.

The Eloro wine area

Eloro covers territory in the far southeast, including areas around Noto, Pachino, Portopalo, Rosolini and Ispica.

The region is strongly associated with red wine. Depending on the precise denomination, labels may feature Nero d’Avola, Frappato or Pignatello.

Eloro is a good choice if you want a rural experience away from the busiest Etna wine route.

Combine it with the coast, but remember that summer traffic near beaches can extend journey times. For the grape that defines this corner, see our Nero d’Avola wine tours page.

One-day wine routes

From Noto

• Morning winery near Buonivini
• Lunch at the estate or near Noto
• Afternoon visit to Marzamemi or Vendicari

From Ragusa

• Morning winery near Chiaramonte Gulfi
• Lunch
• Afternoon Cerasuolo di Vittoria tasting
• Return to Ragusa

From Syracuse

• Morning drive toward Avola or Noto
• Winery tour and tasting
• Lunch
• Afternoon in Noto

Dedicated Vittoria day

• Morning Frappato-focused producer
• Lunch
• Afternoon Cerasuolo di Vittoria tasting
• Overnight in Ragusa, Modica or Vittoria

Do you need a car or a driver?

A car is useful for moving between towns, but the driver should not take full part in the tastings.

A private driver is the most flexible solution for:

• Two-winery days
• Groups of four or more
• Remote agriturismo accommodation
• Premium tastings
• Visits to producers without regular tours
• Transfers between Noto and Ragusa

Scheduled group-tour availability is generally more limited than on Mount Etna. Our private versus group wine tours guide compares the two formats across the island.

How far ahead should you book?

For ordinary tastings, book at least several days ahead. Allow more time for:

• Harvest season
• Weekends
• English-language visits
• Lunch experiences
• Famous small producers
• Groups larger than six
• Natural-wine estates
• Premium or library-wine tastings

During harvest, wineries may restrict access to production areas even when the tasting room remains open. Our guide to the best time for wine tasting in Sicily covers the seasons.

How much does a tasting cost?

The tours compared on this site start at roughly:

The Dioniso tasting at Marzamemi sits at the top of the food-tasting band: five wines and a main course from $70, rated 4.8 from 14 reviews. The lunch band is a winery lunch near Noto at $134 and a three-course farm meal with wine at $139, both new listings with very few reviews.

Operators price in euros, so what you pay depends on the exchange rate on the day you book. Premium tastings at well-known estates are usually quoted on request, and none is among the compared tours. The Sicily wine tour price guide explains what each step up the ladder buys, and whichever tasting you pick, compare the number of wines, the food, the length of the visit and the transport rather than price alone.

Where should you stay?

Choose Noto for romance, architecture and access to the coast.

Choose Syracuse for restaurants, transport and a wider city experience.

Choose Ragusa for Baroque scenery and access to both Vittoria and the Hyblaean countryside.

Choose Modica for food, chocolate and a central southeastern position.

Choose Vittoria when wine is the primary purpose of the trip and you want to minimise driving to local producers.

Final recommendation

For a first visit, spend one day around Noto and a second around Vittoria. This provides the clearest contrast between aromatic Moscato, structured Nero d’Avola, fragrant Frappato and Cerasuolo di Vittoria.

Book wineries before arranging the rest of the day, limit the route to two estates and use a driver if everyone wants to taste. Southeast Sicily rewards slower travel far more than a hurried checklist of Baroque towns and tasting rooms.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best base for wine tasting in southeast Sicily?

Noto suits the Nero d’Avola and Moscato estates and the coast. Ragusa or Vittoria suit Cerasuolo di Vittoria and Frappato, and Vittoria itself saves the most driving if wine is the main purpose. Syracuse is the easiest base without a car, because it is where the pick-up tours start.

What is Cerasuolo di Vittoria?

It is a red wine, made from Nero d’Avola and Frappato, and Sicily’s only DOCG. “Cerasuolo” refers to a cherry-like colour or character, not to a rosé. Frappato adds perfume, red fruit and freshness, and Nero d’Avola adds body and structure.

Do you need a car for wine tasting near Noto and Vittoria?

Usually, yes. The estates are spread through the countryside, and most cellar-door tastings exclude transport. The driver should not take full part in the tasting, so hire a driver or book a tour that includes pick-up, such as the Syracuse day to Noto, Marzamemi and Avola.

How much does wine tasting in southeast Sicily cost?

A basic cellar tasting starts around $29 to $59 per person, a tasting with a winery tour and food from $45 to $70, and a winery lunch from about $134. The Syracuse pick-up day is $406 for a group of up to four, with the tasting paid separately at the estate.

Can you visit Vittoria and Noto in one day?

It is not sensible. The two areas are about an hour apart by road, and each deserves a winery, a lunch and the drive. Spend one day around Noto and another around Vittoria, and keep each to one or two estates.

How far ahead should you book a winery visit?

Several days ahead for an ordinary tasting. Allow longer for harvest, weekends, English-language visits, lunch experiences, famous small producers such as natural-wine estates, and groups larger than six.

Ready to book?

For a cellar near Noto, Noto wine tours compares the tastings and the Syracuse pick-up day side by side. If you are still deciding between formats, what to expect at a wine tasting in Sicily walks through what each one includes, or check availability for your dates.